Bare minimum requirements are absolutely required.

• Using start.spring.io create application/RESTful api (if this is foreign to you, a tutorial like this one walks through creating an application and will be helpful)
• Create at least one entity and repository backed by the database of your choice (MySql, PostgreSql, etc)
• Write unit tests for each enpoint before creating the end point. MockMvc is a great api for this.
• Implement endpoints for full crud functionality, Create (POST/PUT), Read (GET), Update (POST/PUT), and Delete (DELETE)
• Consider using a service layer to abstract the implementation from the interface. At least, know why this is a good idea.
• Push your project to GitHub, send us a link (via Slack is fine).
• Complete this Docker tutorial HERE

Our advanced content is intended to throw you in over your head, requiring you to solve problems with very little support or oversight.

• Dockerize the application you wrote
• Push that Docker image to a Docker Hub public repository, send link (via Slack is fine)

Nightmare mode is exactly what it sounds like: difficult.

• Deploy your Dockerized application to a cloud provider of your choice (Heroku, Digital Ocean, AWS, Google, PCF, etc)
• Send screenshot proof of success (via Slack is fine). Better yet, send us a link to your working api.
• BEWARE of charges - be sure to spin down when you’re done. We will not reimburse you for charges incurred (but Amazon probably will if you accidentally do this incorrectly).