Guide · Open source
How to use tech-interview-handbook: a practical guide
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
Tech Interview Handbook is a free, MIT-licensed collection of condensed interview preparation material for software engineers who have limited study time. This guide explains how to read it on the project website, what each section covers, and how to fetch the source repository if you prefer to work with the files directly. By the end you will know where to start, which parts suit your situation, and where you should look elsewhere.
Tech Interview Handbookyangshun/tech-interview-handbook · ★ 143k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Open the website. Go to techinterviewhandbook.org and select the software engineering interview guide to start reading.
- 2Skim the list of topics. Review the coding practice, cheatsheets, resume guide and behavioral questions so you know what is available.
- 3Clone the repository if you want local files. Run git clone https://github.com/yangshun/tech-interview-handbook in the folder where you want it.
- 4Plan short practice sessions. Choose one topic from the cheatsheets and schedule regular practice on questions related to it.
- 5Cover the non-coding sections. Read the resume and behavioral pages alongside your technical preparation.
- 6Check for gaps. Find System Design and front end resources elsewhere, since the README says those are not fully covered here.
What the handbook covers
The handbook is aimed at engineers who cannot work through hundreds of LeetCode problems. Its content goes beyond algorithm questions and covers the non-technical parts of the process as well.
The README lists these areas: best practice questions for coding interviews, Grind 75, how to prepare for coding interviews, coding interview best practices, algorithm cheatsheets organised by topic, a step-by-step software engineer resume guide, and behavioral questions asked by top tech companies.
- Coding interview study plan and best practice questions
- Coding interview preparation and do's and don'ts
- Algorithm cheatsheets and tips, categorised by topic
- Software engineer resume guide
- Behavioral interview questions
Read the handbook on the website
The easiest way to use the handbook is to read it on the project website at techinterviewhandbook.org. The README says the website is built with Docusaurus and was created to provide a better reading experience. The README starts you on the software engineering interview guide page.
Front end material is no longer in this handbook. The README says it has moved to a separate site, the Front End Interview Handbook.
Clone the repository to read the source files
If you want a local copy of the content, the README gives one command to clone the repository. Run it in the directory where you want the project folder to be created.
The README does not list any other setup steps or prerequisites, so this guide does not describe any.
git clone https://github.com/yangshun/tech-interview-handbookBuild a study plan from the condensed material
The README says the handbook is condensed on purpose. Its author argues that consistent practice is what wins technical interviews, so the text tells you the minimum you need to know about the process and leaves the practice to you.
A workable approach is to read the study plan and cheatsheets first, then pick practice questions by topic and work through them on your own schedule.
- Read the coding interview preparation and best practice pages first
- Use the algorithm cheatsheets to review each topic before practice
- Schedule regular, short practice sessions rather than occasional long ones
Use the resume and behavioral sections
The handbook covers more than coding. The README says it covers all phases of a technical interview, from applying for a job to passing the interviews to offer negotiation. It also notes that technically competent candidates may still find the non-technical content helpful.
The resume guide is a step-by-step guide to preparing a resume for software engineering roles, and the behavioral questions page lists questions asked by top tech companies.
Know when to use something else
The README is clear about gaps. System Design content is still in progress, and the README points to other courses for that topic. The handbook is also not an interactive practice platform. It is written material with links to paid courses, and the README mentions these as options.
Other curated lists exist. The README names Cracking the Coding Interview and points to related projects such as Blind 75 and Front End Interview Handbook as comparable resources.
- System Design: the README points to ByteByteGo's System Design Interview course and Design Gurus' Grokking the System Design Interview course
- Front end: use the Front End Interview Handbook at frontendinterviewhandbook.com
- Interactive practice: the README describes written materials, so look for a dedicated practice platform
What people use it for
- Refreshing interview skills after a long break from hiring processes
- Getting a short, structured overview of coding interview preparation before picking practice problems
- Preparing a software engineering resume with the step-by-step guide
- Reviewing behavioral questions asked by large tech companies
- Learning how to handle the stages of an interview from application to offer negotiation
Frequently asked questions
Is tech-interview-handbook free?
The README describes the material as free and curated. The repository is licensed under MIT, and the handbook is read online at techinterviewhandbook.org.
Do I need to install anything to use tech-interview-handbook?
No. The project is read online, and the README lists no prerequisites. Cloning the repository with git is optional and only needed if you want the source files locally.
How do I download tech-interview-handbook?
Run git clone https://github.com/yangshun/tech-interview-handbook. The README gives this as the only command for getting the repository.
Does tech-interview-handbook cover system design?
Not fully. The README says System Design content is still being worked on and points to other courses, including ByteByteGo and Design Gurus.
Is tech-interview-handbook better than Blind 75 or Cracking the Coding Interview?
They serve different needs. The README describes this handbook as going beyond algorithm questions into resumes and behavioral prep, while Blind 75 and Grind 75 focus on curated coding problems and Cracking the Coding Interview is a book. Choose based on whether you need non-algorithm material.
Where is the front end interview content?
The README says front end content has moved to a separate site, frontendinterviewhandbook.com, so it is no longer in this handbook.
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Our verdict
Tech Interview Handbook suits engineers with limited study time, new candidates, and experienced engineers returning to interviews who want resume and behavioral guidance alongside coding material. It is not the right choice if you need System Design, front end content, or an interactive practice platform, since the README points to other resources for each.
Install options & downloads