November 30, 2025
Sleigh-bots vs humans!
Advent of Code 2025
12-day puzzle party, no leaderboard—fans torn between cozy vibes and AI wars
TLDR: Advent of Code 2025 returns with a shorter 12-day run and no global leaderboard, widely seen as a response to last year’s AI rush. Fans split between cozy problem-solving and competitive nostalgia, debating the “no AI” stance while joking about midnight site hiccups and refreshing frenzies.
Advent of Code, December’s cult puzzle party by Eric Wastl, is back for 2025 — and the comment section is already roaring. Fans say this year is a cozy 12-day sprint instead of 24 and the global leaderboard is gone, a decision many link to last year’s AI antics. One longtime solver sighed “don’t try to ‘win’, just enjoy the whimsy,” while another admitted they’re “pleasantly surprised it’s still happening.” The vibe? Half cheering the slower pace, half mourning the midnight footrace. Meanwhile, a chorus of “is it down?” posts kicked off as the puzzles unlock at midnight Eastern, a tradition as beloved as it is chaotic.
Advent of Code’s official stance on bots is spicy: No, you can’t send ChatGPT to the gym for you — if a friend lifts weights, you don’t get stronger. Purists cheered; pragmatists eye-rolled; memes about “sleigh-bots vs humans” spread. Newcomers are reminded these puzzles run on ten-year-old laptops, anyone can use any language, and you log in via other sites (OAuth) so you never hand over passwords. There’s even a high-contrast mode and a tip to triple-click code blocks. Want to play along? Advent of Code and its subreddit are buzzing with hints, drama, and holiday brain-teasers.
Key Points
- •Advent of Code 2025 offers daily programming puzzles solvable in any language for varied skill levels.
- •Participation is accessible without a CS background; solutions are designed to run within 15 seconds on decade-old hardware.
- •Puzzles unlock at midnight EST (UTC−5); private leaderboards are commonly used for racing.
- •Authentication uses OAuth via external services, storing only limited public profile information.
- •The site provides tips for solving, a high-contrast stylesheet, and JavaScript-enabled triple-click selection of code blocks.