Kanishk Ranjan
/kʌn-ɪʃk/•noun••
Open Source Contributor @ElectronJS & Chromium | B.Tech AI/ML Student
Professional Summary
- -Systems Development: Experience navigating and contributing to large-scale codebases like Chromium and Electron.js to ship technical patches.
- -Execution Focus: Driven by a 'finisher's mindset' and a refusal to accept workarounds; committed to debugging deep into the source code to resolve the root cause of issues.
- -Technical Agility: Proven ability to pick up and apply new programming languages and frameworks on the fly to resolve complex bugs.
Experience & Story
Software Development Intern
Berlin, Germany (Remote)MegahitReference Letter ↗
Jan. 2026 – PresentMentored by Niklas Wenzel (Electron.js Maintainer)
- Engineered cross-platform features for Electron.js desktop applications, focusing on system-level integration and high-performance design patterns.
- Architected a safeStore mechanism for encrypted credential persistence and integrated a PostgreSQL layer for structured data management.
- Standardized Inter-Process Communication (IPC) using TypeScript Enums, eliminating runtime errors and ensuring type-safety across main/renderer processes.
- Automated development workflows using Webpack, ESLint, and Husky, reducing technical debt and enforcing code quality within an Agile sprint cycle.
Electron.jsTypeScriptPostgreSQLWebpack
Open Source Contributions
Electron.js
ContributorPR #50188open
- test: add desktopCapturer window icon validation: Introduced a new test suite to verify that window icons retrieved via desktopCapturer are both present and valid.
- Specifically designed to prevent regressions of issue #48063, ensuring that changes in Apple's internal implementation do not break icon retrieval logic.
PR #50261merged
- fix: backport macOS Tahoe app icon retrieval: Backported a critical fix from Chromium to resolve an issue where running application icons were not correctly retrieved on macOS Tahoe.
- Addresses internal Apple API changes by incorporating updated Chromium logic, ensuring consistent icon rendering across the latest macOS versions (Fixes #48063).
PR #49364merged
- test: fix flaky BrowserWindow test: Fixed flaky test cases in `BrowserWindow` where tests failed when the desktop theme was set to Dark.
- Identified that Chromium applies a #121212 background color in Dark mode, causing failures when loading `about:blank`, and implemented a robust fix to ensure consistent test pass rates.
PR #49356open
- feat: Developers tools for BaseWindow: Fixed a critical "JavaScript error in main process" occurring when triggering `toggleDevTools` in `BaseWindow`.
- Updated the logic to target the currently focused `WebContents` using `webContents.getFocusedWebContents()` instead of `getOwnerBrowserWindow()`, handling edge cases where the DevTools window itself was focused.
PR #49316merged
- test: fix flaky BrowserView test: Resolved flaky tests in `BrowserView` caused by Chromium's dark mode background color inconsistencies.
- Ensured consistent test execution across different OS theme settings by addressing background rendering behaviors.
PR #49315open
- feat: ready-to-show event on webContents: Added `paintWhenInitiallyHidden` option to the `WebContentsView` constructor.
- Enabled renderer "wake up" functionality to correctly fire `ready-to-show` and set initial `visibilityState` to hidden while in the background, addressing issue #43531.
PR #49219closed
- fix: resolve appIcon error in desktopCapturer: Solved a high-DPI asset loss issue on macOS where window icons returned by `desktopCapturer` were low resolution (32x32).
- Created a local copy of window icon utility logic to enforce a target size of 128x128, ensuring Electron receives sharp icons without altering upstream Chromium files.
The Chromium Project
Open Source DeveloperCL 7239386merged
- Streamlined the SelectionController logic within the Blink engine to enhance the precision of caret-based text selection.
- Redesigned internal selection checks to ensure that right-clicking an active caret does not trigger unwanted selection expansion, resolving a long-standing UX edge case.
- Managed the end-to-end lifecycle of the patch, including debugging complex rendering engine behaviors and passing Chromium’s rigorous automated test suites (CQ).
CL 7276941merged
- Debugged and patched selection controller logic within the Blink rendering engine to fix unexpected selection expansion bugs during right-click events.
- Implemented a cleaner abstraction for platform-dependent selection rules, replacing legacy #if BUILDFLAGS macros with a centralized logic check.
- Collaborated with the Chromium community to review and merge changes impacting text interaction and accessibility in editable web content.
Visual Studio Code
ContributorPR #278931merged
- Identified and resolved a race condition in the VS Code startup sequence where early extension activation triggered erratic UI scrolling behavior.
- Refined the Settings tree-view logic to ensure consistent scroll positioning, improving UX within the configuration interface.
GitHub Contributions
Achievements
7+Years CodingStarted at 13
5xRank 1 StreakConsistent Top Performer in College Contest
9+Open Source PRsElectron, Chromium, VS Code
740+Problems SolvedDSA & Competitive Programming
Star Projects
pfEatka (Perfect Easy Anytime Test)
Lead Software Engineer2023
JavaJavaFXMVC ArchitectureDesktop OptimizationCustom GUI
- High-performance desktop testing suite built with Java and JavaFX, featuring a custom-rendered GUI designed for resource efficiency and low-latency interaction.
- Optimized rendering performance by implementing a consistent 60 FPS frame-update cycle and selective canvas refreshing, ensuring smooth UI transitions regardless of system load.
- Architected the application using a strict MVC (Model-View-Controller) design pattern to maintain separation of concerns and scalability in complex state management.
- Developed custom event-handling logic within the JavaFX canvas to support advanced user interactions and real-time assessment feedback.
TestKa
Lead Developer & Architect2020
PHPJQueryMySQLBootstrapJWT Auth
- End-to-end online assessment platform featuring a dual-portal architecture for automated examination management and secure student evaluation.
- Developed a robust Teacher Dashboard with password-protected class management, enabling the creation of time-bound tests with dynamic question types (Subjective, MCQ, and Fill-in-the-Blanks).
- Implemented a secure, synchronized student testing environment with unique access credentials and automated server-side submission logic to ensure integrity when timers expire.
- Streamlined educational workflows by building automated performance monitoring and student credentialing systems, reducing administrative overhead for instructors.
Ecoka
Full-Stack Developer2021
Node.jsExpressMongoDBMongooseEJSJavaScript
- Full-stack e-commerce price aggregator designed to scrape and compare product pricing across multiple platforms to identify optimal deals.
- Engineered a responsive product showcase with advanced filtering capabilities, allowing users to set dynamic price ranges and execute real-time searches.
- Built a secure, password-protected administrative dashboard for centralized product management, including full CRUD functionality for the product database.
- Architected the application using a MERN-like stack (Express, Node.js, MongoDB) with EJS templating for server-side rendering and efficient data flow.
Events & Talks
PDF Security Research & Reverse Engineering
Independent Security Researcher2022·Remote
- Reverse-engineered a 17,000-line obfuscated JavaScript file (a modified Firefox PDF.js viewer) to identify and re-enable restricted download functionality.
- Performed deep-dive source code analysis and diffing against original open-source repositories to bypass client-side security controls.
- Practiced responsible disclosure by reporting the vulnerability to the platform's founder, resulting in a system-wide patch and a reward of premium educational content.
JavaScriptReverse EngineeringChrome DevToolsWeb SecurityResponsible Disclosure
QuickSnatch 2.0 - Hybrid Coding & Treasure Hunt Platform
Lead Platform Architect2026·Newton School of Technology
- Architected the core system logic and user flow for a high-concurrency competitive platform, providing the foundational codebase for the final implementation.
- Designed the backend architecture and complex scoring algorithms, including custom-engineered 'bonus question' mechanics to drive user engagement.
- Managed real-time backend monitoring and performance tuning during the live event to ensure system stability for 100+ concurrent participants.
- Translated high-level event requirements into a functional technical blueprint, overseeing the transition from design to final code execution.
System ArchitectureTechnical DesignLogic EngineeringReal-time MonitoringBackend Strategy
Dev Club: Backend Development Intensive (Python/Flask)
Technical Instructor2025·Newton School of Technology
- Led a specialized backend workshop during the semester break for the Dev Club, focusing on accelerating the team's proficiency in Python and the Flask framework.
- Curated a technical curriculum centered on RESTful API architecture and server-side logic to standardize the club's development stack for upcoming projects.
- Strategic initiative to upskill junior developers, effectively distributing the technical workload and reducing bottlenecks across the core development team.
- Facilitated hands-on sessions to bridge the gap between frontend concepts and dynamic backend implementation, ensuring production-ready code standards.
Technical MentorshipPython / FlaskBackend ArchitectureTeam ScalingCurriculum Development
QuickSnatch 1.0 - Hybrid CLI & Treasure Hunt Platform
Lead Full-Stack Developer (Crisis Recovery)2024·Newton School of Technology
- Architected a CLI-based competitive platform inspired by Google CTF, engineered with a modular backend to support future transition to national-level competition scales.
- Executed a critical 12-hour overnight codebase recovery and system stabilization following a primary system failure, delivering a production-ready platform minutes before the event launch.
- Designed and implemented a hybrid 'Phygital' gameplay loop, integrating secure user authentication with physical-world QR code location hints.
- Optimized the user experience for high accessibility, ensuring first-year students could engage with complex technical challenges through an intuitive CLI interface.
Crisis ManagementSystem ScalabilityHybrid SystemsFull-Stack EngineeringCLI Interface Design
Nirman - 8-Hour Full-Stack Web Development Hackathon
Technical Invigilator2025·Newton School of Technology
- Enforced strict competition protocols and technical guidelines during an intensive 8-hour build session to maintain a high-integrity environment.
- Monitored real-time development workflows of participating teams, ensuring total adherence to the 'build from scratch' requirement.
- Exercised final authority over rule violations and disqualifications, serving as the primary arbiter for fair play and technical authenticity.
- Conducted periodic codebase audits throughout the event to verify that no pre-existing templates or unauthorized external assets were utilized.
Technical OversightCompliance EnforcementCompetition IntegrityCode VerificationPolicy Adherence
Selected Projects
Project
When
Description
Tech
Outcome
2026
Real-time CTF & treasure hunt platform with live scoring
JavaScript, Express, MongoDB, Socket.io, Docker
Deployed for college event
2025
Cross-platform habit tracker with identity-based goal system
React Native, Expo, TailwindCSS
Daily active use for 2+ months
2025
Group expense and bill splitter with smart settlement logic
React Native, Expo, Node.js, Express, Socket.io
Simplifies group expense management
2025
Real-time vehicle tracking system with map visualization
TypeScript, React, MongoDB
Demoed across departments
2025
Distraction-blocking desktop app with session analytics
Electron, Vite
Boosted personal productivity
2025
Cloud-based collaborative text editor with real-time sync
TypeScript, Next.js, TailwindCSS, Convex
Accessible from any device
2025
Multiplayer memory card game with animated UI
JavaScript, React
Built for fun, polished for portfolio
2025
Scalable treasure hunt platform for college fest
Python, Flask
Handled 300+ concurrent users
2024
Full-stack portal with automated profile scraping for CP club
MongoDB, Express, Web Scraping, EJS
Adopted by club coordinators
2024
Automated leaderboard for CSES problem set rankings
Puppeteer, Express, MongoDB
Used by 30+ students daily
2023
WYSIWYG word processor for automated test paper generation
Java, JavaFX
Desktop app with rich text editing
2021
Experiment extending HTML with custom element registration
HTML, CSS, JavaScript
Explored Web Components API
2021
Online examination system with auth & grading engine
PHP, MySQL, HTML, CSS, JavaScript
Full-stack app built at age 15
2020
Remote system management tool via Windows Services
C#, Windows Services, Express
Remote access from anywhere
2020
E-commerce website with authentication & CRUD operations
Node.js, Express, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, EJS
Full-stack app built at age 15
Blogka
2020
Full-stack blog with authentication & CRUD operations
Python, Flask, HTML, CSS, JavaScript
First auth system built
ChatKa
2020
Real-time chat app with WebSocket communication
Socket.io, Node.js, Express, EJS
Learned real-time architecture
HomeKa
2020
CLI tool to auto-sort homework files by subject
Python, Bash
Automated daily workflow
Eins
2018
Voice-controlled personal assistant with task automation
Python
Sparked the programming journey
Quizka
*
Interactive terminal quiz game
Bash
The very first program I wrote
Education
Newton School of Technology
Aug. 2024 – May 2028
Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science
Pune, MH
St. Karen’s High School
Aug. 2022 – May 2024
Senior Secondary (Class XII, CBSE)
Patna, BR
Open Minds A Birla School
Apr. 2021 – Apr. 2022
Matriculation (Class X, CBSE)
Patna, BR
Technologies I Work With
Python
TypeScript
JavaScript
C++
C#
Java
PHP
SQL
React
Next.js
Tailwind CSS
Shadcn UI
Electron.js
FastAPI
Node.js
PostgreSQL
MongoDB
Docker
Google Cloud
Vercel
Git
GitHub
Linux
Nginx
Webpack
ESLint
Husky
Hugging Face
PyTorch
Pandas
Python
TypeScript
JavaScript
C++
C#
Java
PHP
SQL
React
Next.js
Tailwind CSS
Shadcn UI
Electron.js
FastAPI
Node.js
PostgreSQL
MongoDB
Docker
Google Cloud
Vercel
Git
GitHub
Linux
Nginx
Webpack
ESLint
Husky
Hugging Face
PyTorch
Pandas
Library
Dev
Casual Reads
*and many more, these are just one of my best reads
Thing About Me
I am a second-year Computer Science student at Newton School of Technology, Pune, focused on bridging the gap between academic theory and industry-scale software development. My experience centers on contributing directly to major frameworks like Electron.js and building high-performance full-stack applications.
I believe that the best products are built by people who have a diverse range of interests. It's the unique combination of technical depth and human perspective that allows us to create technology that actually resonates.