# Kartikey Pandey

Founder, Karts

> Karts is a self-hosted development platform that brings AI coding agents, persistent dev environments and app hosting into one workspace.

Links: [GitHub](https://github.com/Kart-ing), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kartikeypandey2004/), [Email](mailto:kartikeypandey.official@gmail.com)

Site: https://www.kartikey.fyi

## Building now

### Karts (2026)

Karts is a self-hosted development platform that brings AI coding agents, persistent dev environments and app hosting into one workspace.

- Karts is a self-hosted development platform that brings AI coding agents, persistent dev environments and app hosting into one workspace.
- Teams can coordinate coding agents, give each developer or branch its own services and data, and check environments against production.
- Teams can catch outdated branches, simulate load, and publish applications on their own domains, all on infrastructure they control.
- Karts helps startups build and ship software without having to assemble and maintain their own internal development platform.
- Kartikey is the founder of Karts.

## Agent tools

### Multiverse (2026)

A speculative execution harness for AI agents.

- The branch predictor, but for tool calls: fork into parallel sandboxed futures, commit one winner atomically, replay deterministically.
- A fork of OpenCode, the open source AI coding agent, with a decision tree mode that explores 5 parallel approaches per step: Direct, Modular, Minimal, Robust and Creative.
- Each approach is scored from 0 to 100 against the step's success metric, and only the winning branch advances to the next step.
- TypeScript on Bun, with Langfuse branch-level tracing, ClickHouse tree-state persistence and Composio tool execution. Built for the Harness Engineering Hackathon in June 2026.
- Links: [GitHub](https://github.com/Kart-ing/multiverse)

### PingPal (2026)

Ambient messaging for CLI coders: see teammates' ASCII faces and send 90-char pings inside Claude Code.

- Ambient messaging for CLI coders: see teammates' ASCII faces and send 90-char pings inside Claude Code.
- A daemon, CLI, MCP server and relay in a TypeScript/Node pnpm monorepo; pings surface inside Claude Code sessions through hooks and MCP, with live presence.
- Pings are end-to-end encrypted, so the relay cannot read them; mDNS auto-discovers same-network peers and falls back to a self-hostable relay for remote contacts.
- Published on npm (npm i -g pingpal) and works across Claude Code, OpenCode and Codex. ([npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/pingpal))
- Links: [GitHub](https://github.com/Kart-ing/pingpal), [npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/pingpal)

### Hermes Offloader (2026)

Offload work from your laptop to a cheap always-on server via /offload in Claude Code.

- Offload work from your laptop to a cheap always-on server via /offload in Claude Code.
- A /handoff skill slices the conversation into a task DAG plus context brief and ships a job bundle over SSH to a daemon, which runs a worker per task on a cheaper model (DeepSeek).
- Public setup repo: "Set up the Hermes job-offload pipeline (Mac-side /handoff dispatcher + VPS-side daemon) on your own VPS." The main repo is private.
- Deployed as systemd services on a personal server: a Python (stdlib-only) orchestrator, shell, SSH/scp and NDJSON, returning status JSON and git-diff patches.
- Links: [GitHub (setup repo)](https://github.com/Kart-ing/hermes-offloader-setup)

## Research and patent

### ReCompress preprint (Jun 2026)

ReCompress is a Zenodo preprint on query-aware LLM context compression beyond deletion, by Parth Sanjay Kshirsagar and Kartikey Pandey.

- "ReCompress: Query-Aware Rewriting and Tiered Memory for Efficient LLM Context Compression", a Zenodo preprint of June 21, 2026, by Parth Sanjay Kshirsagar and Kartikey Pandey. ([Preprint (Zenodo DOI)](https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20786357))
- Query-aware compression beyond deletion: a DeepSeek teacher distilled into a Qwen2.5-1.5B + LoRA student rewrites context to drop passages irrelevant to the question. ([GitHub](https://github.com/Kart-ing/ReCompress))
- The 1.5B student compresses HotpotQA context to about 3.5% of its tokens and still answers correctly, keeping the answer-bearing span where deletion truncates it. ([Preprint (Zenodo DOI)](https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20786357))
- Its "Re:Zero" tiered memory keeps a 12-turn conversation flat at about 184 tokens versus a naive 1,482, an 8.1x reduction. ([GitHub](https://github.com/Kart-ing/ReCompress))
- Links: [Preprint (Zenodo DOI)](https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20786357), [GitHub](https://github.com/Kart-ing/ReCompress), [Devpost](https://devpost.com/software/re-compress), [Live demo](https://demo-eight-olive-97.vercel.app)

### Indian Patent No. 558662 (Filed Oct 2020 · granted Jan 2025)

Kartikey is the sole inventor and applicant on Indian Patent No. 558662, System and Method Providing Data Conversion.

- Indian Patent No. 558662, "System and Method Providing Data Conversion", application 202041040194.
- Kartikey is the sole inventor and applicant.
- Filed in October 2020, during high school; the grant was published on January 31, 2025.
- It describes AI that filters input such as audio or text and outputs it compressed.
- Links: [IP India record (QuickCompany copy)](https://www.quickcompany.in/patents/system-and-method-providing-data-conversion)

## Hackathon wins

### SignEase (Apr 2023)

3rd Place at HackPSU Spring 2023 with SignEase.

- Won 3rd Place at HackPSU Spring 2023 (April 2023) with SignEase.
- Devpost tagline: "Our project incorporates ASL sign language translation in the banking system, promoting financial inclusion and empowering the deaf and hard-of-hearing community."
- Links: [Devpost](https://devpost.com/software/signease)

### EyeSnap (Oct 2023)

Best Use of MATLAB at HackHarvard 2023 with EyeSnap, a diabetic retinopathy detection prototype.

- Won Best Use of MATLAB at HackHarvard 2023 (October 2023) with EyeSnap.
- EyeSnap is a diabetic retinopathy detection prototype: a CNN screens retinal images inside a React Native app with offline processing.
- Built with computer vision, TensorFlow, Flask and SQL.
- Links: [Devpost](https://devpost.com/software/eyesnap-diabetic-retinopathy-detection-with-diascan)

### DevSpot (Mar 2024)

Entrepreneurship Award at HackPSU Spring 2024 with DevSpot.

- Won the Entrepreneurship Award at HackPSU Spring 2024 (March 2024) with DevSpot.
- Devpost tagline: "DevSpot: Transforming hackathons with AI-driven insights. Validate ideas, find unique resources, and explore similar projects—all in one platform."
- Links: [Devpost](https://devpost.com/software/devspot)

### Moth Challenge (Apr 2024)

Best Cybersecurity Track Hack at Bitcamp 2024 with Moth Challenge.

- Won Best Cybersecurity Track Hack at Bitcamp 2024 (April 2024) with Moth Challenge.
- From the Devpost tagline: "a dynamic cyber security puzzle platform. Sharpen skills through steganography, cryptography, and more."
- Links: [Devpost](https://devpost.com/software/moth-challenege)

### Reality Rush (Oct 2024)

Snap AR Challenge winner and Best DEI Hack sponsored by Fidelity at HackPSU Fall 2024 with Reality Rush.

- Won the Snap AR Challenge and Best DEI Hack sponsored by Fidelity at HackPSU Fall 2024 (October 2024) with Reality Rush.
- A Snap Spectacles AR fitness trainer: Lens Studio's ML Kit tracks pose in real time for live form correction, with a gesture UI on the Spectacles Hand Tracking API.
- Kartikey was the lead AR developer; built with Lens Studio and TypeScript.
- Links: [Devpost](https://devpost.com/software/reality-rush)

### VR Breadboard (Nov 2024)

Best AR/VR Hack at HackUMass XII with VR Breadboard.

- Won Best AR/VR Hack at HackUMass XII (November 2024) with VR Breadboard.
- Devpost tagline: "Interactive VR based realistic breadboard, wires, and components for students to build and test circuits in an engaging, risk-free virtual lab, with a Meta Quest 3."
- Links: [Devpost](https://devpost.com/software/circuit-simulator)

### SoundSage (Sep 2025)

Best Use of MemryX Edge AI Accelerator at MHacks 2025 with SoundSage, a one-person entry.

- Won Best Use of MemryX Edge AI Accelerator at MHacks 2025 (September 2025) with SoundSage.
- SoundSage was a one-person entry: Kartikey built it alone.
- From the Devpost tagline: "Instantly identifies genres and auto-optimizes EQ through dual AI models. Runs locally on MemryX NPU hardware".
- Links: [Devpost](https://devpost.com/software/soundsage)

### AgentOverflow (Oct 2025)

Elastic: Best use of the Elastic Agent Builder on a Serverless instance, at Cal Hacks 12.0 with AgentOverflow.

- Won "Elastic: Best use of the Elastic Agent Builder on a Serverless instance" at Cal Hacks 12.0 (October 2025) with AgentOverflow.
- Devpost tagline: "Stack Overflow 2.0: break the prompt spiral-> jump straight to the proven fix."
- Links: [Devpost](https://devpost.com/software/agentoverflow), [GitHub](https://github.com/Kart-ing/agentoverflow)

### Re:Compress (Jun 2026)

Best Compression Model for The Token Company at the UC Berkeley AI Hackathon 2026 with Re:Compress.

- Won Best Compression Model for The Token Company at the UC Berkeley AI Hackathon 2026 (June 20-21, 2026) with Re:Compress.
- Devpost tagline: "A query-aware rewriting layer that extends compression into the regime deletion can't reach — distilled into a 1.5B model, then carried into multi-turn conversations."
- The same work became the ReCompress preprint on Zenodo (June 21, 2026). ([Preprint (Zenodo DOI)](https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20786357))
- Links: [Devpost](https://devpost.com/software/re-compress), [GitHub](https://github.com/Kart-ing/ReCompress)

### Cited (Jul 24, 2026)

Hexclave award ($1,000) at c0mpiled-11, the YC Startup School Hackathon hosted by Transpose, with Cited.

- Won the Hexclave award ($1,000) at c0mpiled-11, the YC Startup School Hackathon, with Cited.
- c0mpiled-11 was hosted by Transpose on July 24, 2026; the organizer's write-up lists Cited among the prize winners.
- Links: [Organizer write-up](https://www.compiled.sh/articles/c0mpiled-11-yc-startup-school-hackathon)

### Swiper No Swiping (Jul 25, 2026)

Hexclave award ($1,000) at c0mpiled-13, Startup School Hackathon II hosted by Transpose, with Swiper No Swiping.

- Won the Hexclave award ($1,000) at c0mpiled-13, Startup School Hackathon II, with Swiper No Swiping.
- c0mpiled-13 was hosted by Transpose on July 25, 2026; the organizer's write-up lists Swiper No Swiping among the prize winners.
- Links: [Organizer write-up](https://www.compiled.sh/articles/c0mpiled-13-startup-school-hackathon-ii)

### AdLayer (Aug 15, 2026)

3rd place in Best use of Render at The World's First Zero Human Company Hackathon by Terac, with AdLayer.

- Won 3rd place in Best use of Render at The World's First Zero Human Company Hackathon by Terac (August 15, 2026) with AdLayer.
- The ad network for the answer layer: disclosed placements in llms.txt, and measurement of whether the label survives the model.
- Kartikey is a 12x hackathon winner; AdLayer (August 2026) was the twelfth win.
- Links: [GitHub](https://github.com/Kart-ing/adlayer)

## Work

### Cara (Jun 2026 – present)

Member of Technical Staff at Cara, San Francisco Bay Area, since June 2026.

- Member of Technical Staff at Cara since June 2026.
- Based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

### Raya Health (Feb 2026 – May 2026)

Founding Engineer at Raya Health, part of the HF0 W26 residency batch.

- Founding Engineer at Raya Health from February to May 2026, in the HF0 W26 residency batch.
- Built Raya Health from the ground up and shipped product end to end across full-stack, infrastructure and AI.

### ColdStart (Jan 2025 – May 2025)

Software Engineer Intern at ColdStart in State College, PA.

- Software Engineer Intern at ColdStart, January to May 2025, in State College, PA.
- A software engineering internship contributing to product development and full-stack engineering.

### Intel Corporation (Aug 2020 – Jul 2021)

Internship Trainee, then Apprentice, at Intel Corporation, building ML pipelines and computer-vision systems.

- Internship Trainee at Intel Corporation from August 2020 to May 2021, then Apprentice from May to July 2021.
- Built an ML training pipeline (TensorFlow, Python, Docker, AWS) that cut model deployment time by 33%, from 3 days to 2.
- Built a computer-vision chip-defect detector (OpenCV, PyTorch) with 97% accuracy on 100,000+ test images.
- Built a BERT-based classifier handling 1,000+ technical specs a day at 90% accuracy.

### NASA Lunar Autonomy Challenge (Nov 2024 – Jan 2025)

Machine learning on a team in the NASA Lunar Autonomy Challenge, run by Johns Hopkins APL.

- Machine learning on a NASA Lunar Autonomy Challenge team, run by Johns Hopkins APL, from November 2024 to January 2025.
- Autonomous lunar robotics: navigation, excavation and resource utilization, using CARLA simulation and SLAM.
- The work supported NASA's Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative (LSII).

### Snap Spectacles Student Accelerator

Secured $25,000+ in funding through Snap's Spectacles Student Accelerator and led AR/AI development.

- Secured $25,000+ in funding through the Snap Spectacles Student Accelerator.
- Led AR/AI development with TypeScript, Node.js and real-time cloud sync.
- Project Elementals: a multiplayer AR game on Spectacles where players bend elements in one shared world, synced in real time across devices; Kartikey was lead AR developer.
- Also built a stabilization approach that reduces motion sickness during AR use in moving environments, aimed at comfortable extended wear.

## Leadership

### Penn State Collegiate Hackathon Team (Aug 2024 – Dec 2025)

Founder & President of the Penn State Collegiate Hackathon Team, which grew to 27+ members and lifted Penn State's national hackathon rank from #185 to #74 in one year.

- Founder & President of the Penn State Collegiate Hackathon Team, August 2024 to December 2025.
- Grew the team to 27+ members.
- Lifted Penn State's national hackathon rank from #185 to #74 within one year.
- Built a dual-track program, secured national sponsorships, and ran workshops on Next.js, GraphQL and automation engineering.

### GDSC at Penn State (Jan 2023 – May 2025)

Technical Lead, then President, of GDSC at Penn State, building a 200+ student developer community.

- Technical Lead of GDSC at Penn State from January 2023 to August 2024, then President from August 2024 to May 2025.
- Built a 200+ student developer community focused on software engineering, AI/ML and cloud.

## Education

### Penn State University (2022 – 2026)

B.S. Computer Science with a Minor in Entrepreneurship at Penn State University, 2022 to 2026.

- B.S. Computer Science, Minor in Entrepreneurship, Penn State University, 2022 to 2026.
- Focus on software engineering, AI/ML and systems.

## More projects

### ACRN (2026)

Brand site for a hacker house: botanical-press meets terminal.

- Brand site and member directory for a hacker house, designed and built by Kartikey to feel hand-made rather than templated.
- A bespoke Material Design 3 color system themed on soil, moss, acorn, fern and clay, with three typefaces: Fraunces, Newsreader and JetBrains Mono.
- No framework: a hand-written index of about 35KB with full OG/SEO meta and 8 member profiles, in HTML, CSS and vanilla JS on Vercel.
- Links: [Live site](https://acrn.space)

### Token Company PRD (Jun 2026)

The benchmarking research brief behind ReCompress, published on GitHub.

- The benchmarking research brief behind ReCompress.
- Repo description: "The Token Company — UC Berkeley AI Hackathon 2026 PRD: a LoRA fine-tuned code-context compressor proven on held-out SWE-bench (same bug found, far fewer tokens)."
- Links: [GitHub](https://github.com/Kart-ing/token-company-prd)

## Machine-readable

- The full record as JSON: https://www.kartikey.fyi/record.json
- Every claim on this page comes from the owner's verified record; nothing here is generated, and each item links to its evidence.