workshop · Regular · frequency not specified
Leeds Coding Dojo
Pair up, pick a kata, write better code in an evening
When
Thursday 14 May
Time
17:00
Venue
Platform
City Centre
Price
Free
Leeds Coding Dojo is a hands-on coding workshop run by Software Crafters Leeds, held at Platform on New Station Street. The format is deliberately low-pressure: after a short intro, attendees split into pairs, small groups or work solo, then spend the evening working through a kata. The group usually picks from an established kata library, but suggestions are welcome if there's something specific you want to tackle.
You choose your own language. Past sessions have seen Python, JavaScript, C#, Java, VB, Rust and Elixir all in the same room. That mix is part of the point — watching someone solve the same problem in a language you don't know is often where the useful conversations start. There's no requirement to be a professional developer. If you write code at any level and want to get better at it, you're the target audience.
The session runs 6–8 pm on Thursday 14 May 2026. Food and drinks are provided, with vegetarian and vegan options. Bring a laptop if you want to code along; you don't have to.
Software Crafters Leeds is supported by Codurance, which recently opened a Leeds office and has been backing the local community since. The group sits within a wider Software Crafters movement focused on deliberate practice, clean code and peer learning. It's one of the more technically focused meetup communities in the city, and the dojo format — borrowed from martial arts — reflects that: you improve by doing, repeatedly, with others watching and contributing.
The venue is Platform, a co-working and events space directly above Leeds City Station. The 1st Floor Meeting Room is accessible from New Station Street. What3Words reference: fortunate.brings.lasts.
Why attend
You'll spend two hours writing actual code alongside other developers, which is more useful than most conference talks. The kata format means you get immediate feedback — from your pair, from the group, from seeing how someone else approached the same problem in a different language.
It's also a practical way to meet Leeds developers outside your own workplace. Codurance is involved, so there's a professional software craftsmanship angle to the crowd. Food and drinks are covered, it's free to attend, and you don't need to register beyond the Meetup RSVP.
Agenda
- 18:00 — Doors open, food and drinks available
- 18:00–18:15 — Short intro from the host
- 18:15–19:45 — Kata session: pairs, groups or solo coding
- 19:45–20:00 — Group discussion, sharing approaches
- 20:00 — Close
Organiser
Software Crafters Leeds
Software Crafters Leeds is a meetup community for Leeds developers who care about the craft of writing software. They run regular coding dojos and occasional short talks, with a focus on deliberate practice and peer learning. The group is currently supported by Codurance, which has a Leeds office and helps host events.
Venue
Platform, City Centre
Platform sits directly above Leeds City Station on New Station Street. It's a co-working and event space that hosts a number of Leeds tech meetups; the 1st Floor Meeting Room is a standard setup for groups of this size.
FAQs
- Is the event free to attend?
- Yes, it's free. Food and drinks are also provided on the night, with vegetarian and vegan options available.
- Where exactly is the venue?
- 1st Floor Meeting Room, Platform, New Station Street, Leeds LS1 4JB. What3Words: fortunate.brings.lasts. It's directly above Leeds City Station.
- Do I need to register in advance?
- RSVP via the Meetup event page. There's no mention of a ticket beyond that.
- Do I need to be a professional developer to attend?
- No. The group explicitly welcomes anyone interested in coding, regardless of professional background or experience level.
- Do I need to bring anything?
- Bring a laptop if you want to code along, but it's not mandatory. Everything else — food, drinks, the kata — is sorted on the night.