The SSH puzzle guards the door
A high-trust club needs a shibboleth. Ours is the SSH puzzle that guards the speakeasy door.
We merged three ideas into one.
- The SSH puzzle helps candidates know if they need to develop a few more skills before joining. If this feels early, the hideout would too. That's timing, not a verdict on you.
- A hideout for senior devs who don't just dream their ideas. They build them.
- Collaborate and discuss tech topics with like minded developers.
Do you have this problem?
Twitter and LinkedIn are enormous communities that are flooded with low-signal noise. Real conversations get buried, and there's no reliable way to connect and support one another. We've all shipped something after 100 hours only to get four likes and zero comments. Most of us avoid helping strangers because we're afraid they'll keep asking for more time.
The Speakeasy fixes that. It's a small, high-trust space where everyone wants to be around each other. The only member obligation is to attempt to help other members when you can. No more than 5 to 10 minutes daily.
Beta acceptance (USA & Canada for now)
We're in a beta acceptance period: growing carefully so the room stays high-trust and high-signal. For this phase, membership is open to devs in the United States and Canada.
That isn't about who "belongs" in tech. It's about keeping the early circle small enough to actually know one another, share time zones for live collaboration, and get the culture right before we expand. If you're outside the US or Canada, thanks for the interest; check back as we grow.
Application
There is no form. Candidates apply by solving the SSH puzzle that guards the door. That is the competence filter.
Once inside, you get access to the members-only forum, styled more like old Slashdot than a typical modern forum. Members submit topics, I curate the best ones, and we post a few focused stories so people can discuss and collaborate. Get busy for a few days or longer? No problem. You won't drown in missed content.
If you apply right now, you'll be among the very first members, enshrined in the early history of the community with a low user ID.
You'll help shape how it grows during beta and beyond.
Cost?
I promise there will always be a FREE tier, and it will be at least decent. Regardless, no paid features exist right now.
Privacy?
You don't have to enter any personal details. You're just a number here.
Solving the puzzle gives you your private SSH key. Once you download it and connect, the private key is deleted from the database leaving only the public key.
Stay fully anonymous if you want (great for well-known devs, VPs, or CTOs who don't want the endless beggar spam). Or use your real name. Your choice.
DO NOT LOSE YOUR KEY. IT CANNOT BE REGENERATED.
Apply
The SSH puzzle is the application. Start it with an API call.
curl https://door.easyeasyspeakeasy.com/api/onboarding/hint/1
or read them on the web
https://door.easyeasyspeakeasy.com/
Common Questions
Why does the SSH puzzle guard the door?
It keeps the club full of people you'll want to talk to and work with.
What does the forum look like?
Old Slashdot energy. Submit topics, I curate them, and we discuss a few focused stories at a time. No endless scrolling or notification hell.
Is this only for senior devs?
It's aimed at mid-to-senior developers who are past the beginner stage. There are already great communities for beginners. This is a quieter room for experienced builders who want real collaboration and support.
You're not going to have to explain for loops to a barista in a bootcamp.
Do I have to help people every day?
No pressure. Just 5 to 10 minutes when you can. The goal here is genuine camaraderie. Nobody has been kicked out for not helping enough.
I'm stuck at the door. What now?
Go back through the hints and give it another shot.
The api call to get hints
curl https://door.easyeasyspeakeasy.com/api/onboarding/hint/1
or read them on the web
https://door.easyeasyspeakeasy.com/
If you're still stuck reach me on X @mleitz1.
Who can join during the beta?
We're focused on the United States and Canada while the community is in beta. That keeps the early group tight, practical for time zones, and easy to steward. It's how we're growing for now. If you're elsewhere, check back next year.
Is this online only?
Yes. The speakeasy itself is online. During the beta we're centering USA and Canada members so early coordination stays sane.
Is this more AI slop?
No AI slop is allowed. We treat AI on the level of a compiler and not as a skill replacement.
Can famous coders or CTOs join without being bothered?
Yes. Full anonymity (or as close as you can get) is built in for exactly that reason.
What's a good week look like for a typical member?
You solving the SSH puzzle that guards the door.
Is this a scam?
No. I'm not smart enough to scam you.
How many people are currently in the club?
2. Including me. And to answer your next question, no.
I don't have time to solve this medium difficulty puzzle.
Sorry to hear that, your majesty.
If I give one answer to the puzzle and get it wrong, does that mean I suck?
No. It took me three tries and I knew the answer.
I'm unstable and can't help myself from posting thousands of political trolls. Can I join?
No shitposters.
I'm a total gooner who can't stop sharing wildly inappropriate sexual content. Can I join?
No perverts.
How do I know this single mod community will be around 6 months from now?
It's all I got.
Why is it called easy-easy speakeasy?
So you'll never forget the name.