OpenAIInterview questionDesign a crossword puzzle generator
Design a service that fills crossword grids with valid words, distributes the search across workers, and handles many puzzle requests at once.
Sat, Dec 512:00 PM – 1:05 PM PST65 minutesLive online
Daniyal SaqibYour host · InterviewLayer
What we’ll work through
- Define a valid puzzle fill and turn the search into a clear first design.
- Divide and schedule puzzle work across workers without losing progress.
- Explain retries, failed workers, and when to stop redundant search.
Who this is for
Engineers preparing for backend and distributed system design interviews. Familiarity with APIs, queues, and basic search algorithms is useful; machine learning experience is not required.
One question. A 65-minute walkthrough.
- 10 min
- Clarify the questionDefine the grid, word dictionary, valid fills, and workload.
- 40 min
- Build the design togetherTrace one puzzle through search, task scheduling, and distributed workers.
- 15 min
- Discuss follow-upsExplore slow searches, worker failures, and stopping after a valid result.
A few things to know
Is the workshop free?
Yes. The complete 65-minute workshop, including the live question walkthrough and Q&A, is free.
Do I need to prepare anything?
Bring your questions and something to sketch with. We’ll work through the interview question together.
How do I join the session?
Register your interest to share your email for joining instructions and workshop updates.
What if I can’t make it?
You can cancel from your registration confirmation. If you registered without an account, return using the same browser.