Visit the platform
Open https://skillhouse-sable.vercel.app in your browser. You will land on the homepage, which includes a job category browser, testimonials, and the smart bot assistant for common questions.
Create an account
Click Sign up and choose how you want to register:
- Email and password — enter your name, email, and a secure password
- Google OAuth — click Continue with Google to sign in with your Google account
Select your role
Choose one of two roles:
- Freelancer — you will offer services, apply to jobs, and receive payments
- Client — you will post jobs, hire freelancers, and manage contracts
Your role determines which dashboard and features you have access to. You cannot switch roles after selection without creating a new account.
Verify your email with OTP
After registration, Skillhouse sends a one-time password (OTP) to your email address. Enter the OTP on the verification screen to activate your account. OTPs expire after a short window — if yours expires, request a new one from the same screen.
Complete your profile
Before taking any action on the platform, fill out your profile. The fields differ by role.
- As a freelancer
- As a client
- Profile photo — uploaded and stored via Cloudinary
- Bio — a short description of your background and expertise
- Skills — select from the platform’s skill taxonomy
- Hourly rate — your default rate, visible to clients browsing profiles
- Portfolio — optional work samples (images or videos)
What to do next
Once your profile is complete, your path on the platform diverges based on your role.- As a freelancer
- As a client
Browse open jobs
Go to the Jobs section from your dashboard. You can filter by category, required skills, and budget range. Each listing shows the job description, required skills, and the client’s budget.
Submit a proposal
On any job listing, click Apply. Write a cover letter explaining your approach, set your proposed rate, and submit. You can track all submitted proposals under Applied jobs.
Contract and escrow
When a client accepts your proposal, a contract is created automatically. The client funds the escrow via Stripe at this point — you can see the contract status in your Contracts dashboard.
Deliver your work
Complete the work and mark the contract as delivered. The client reviews your submission and, if satisfied, approves the payment release.
Smart bot assistant
The Skillhouse homepage includes a built-in chat bot that can answer common questions about how the platform works — including how escrow functions, how to reset your password, and how to navigate contracts. Look for the chat icon in the bottom-right corner of the homepage.Next steps
Authentication
Learn how JWT sessions, Google OAuth, and OTP verification work under the hood.
Jobs and proposals
Understand the full proposal workflow, from posting to acceptance.
Payments and escrow
How Stripe handles payments, refunds, and webhook events on Skillhouse.
Running locally
Set up the Skillhouse backend and frontend on your local machine for development.