# Rules and Guidelines **IMPORTANT**: Did you read the **Important disclaimers about contest status** below, and did you check the current **[IOCCC status](../status.html)**? * [IOCCC rules](rules.html) * [IOCCC guidelines](guidelines.html) You may also wish to review the [mkiocccentry tool repo](https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry), especially when the [rules](rules.html) and [guidelines](guidelines.html) are official, to be sure you are **using an up to date official mkiocccentry tool set**. # Important disclaimers about contest status ### When the IOCCC status is _closed_ While the IOCCC status is **[CLOSED](../faq.html#closed)**, the [rules](rules.html) and [guidelines](guidelines.html) are **OUT OF DATE**. A **very tentative proposal** for the next IOCCC that is **VERY LIKELY** to be updated before the next contest becomes [pending](../faq.html#pending). They are are provided as a **tentative** hint **at what might be used** for the next IOCCC. **IMPORTANT**: All **tentative** [rules](rules.html) and [guidelines](guidelines.html) are **subject to change by the [IOCCC judges](../judges.html) at _ANY_ time**. See both the [IOCCC news](../news.html) and the [IOCCC Mastodon](https://fosstodon.org/@ioccc) feed as _sometimes_ the [IOCCC judges](../judges.html) **mention changes** there. ### When the IOCCC status is _pending_ While the IOCCC status is **[PENDING](../faq.html#pending)**, the [rules](rules.html) and [guidelines](guidelines.html) are **tentative**. One might think of them as a **beta** release for the IOCCC that is about to [open](../faq.html#open). **IMPORTANT**: All **tentative** [rules](rules.html) and [guidelines](guidelines.html) are subject to change by the [IOCCC judges](../judges.html) at any time. See both the [IOCCC news](../news.html) and the [IOCCC Mastodon](https://fosstodon.org/@ioccc) feed as _sometimes_ the [IOCCC judges](../judges.html) **mention changes** there. You may [register for the IOCCC](register.html) while the contest is [pending](../faq.html#pending), however you will **NOT** receive your own Email message containing your very own **Username and Initial Password until the contest is [open](../faq.html#open)**. You will need these to be able to [upload your submission](submit.html) when the contest is [open](../faq.html#open). Once contest moves from [pending](../faq.html#pending") to [open](../faq.html#open) an announcement Email will be sent out to the mailing list of those have successfully registered for the IOCCC. In addition, an announcement will be made to the [IOCCC news](../news.html) in case you miss that announcement Email. While you are waiting for the contest to [open](../faq.html#open), we **highly recommend** that you review the [IOCCC rules](rules.html), [IOCCC guidelines](guidelines.html), and [IOCCC mkiocccentry tools](https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry). Should you have any comments, suggestions, and concerns about the above, and **while you waiting** for the contest to [open](../faq.html#open) please see the FAQ on "[comment or make a suggestion on IOCCC rules, guidelines and tools](../faq.html#feedback)" as well as the FAQ on "[best way to ask a question about the IOCCC rules, guideline and tools](../faq.html#questions)" for how. See also about how [upload your submission](submit.html) when the contest is [open](../faq.html#open). ### When the IOCCC status is _open_ While the IOCCC status is **[OPEN](../faq.html#open)**, the [rules](rules.html) and [guidelines](guidelines.html) are **OFFICIAL**. Unless some significant problem turns up (such as a need to delay in when the IOCCC will close, or some major bug is discovered) they will remain **OFFICIAL** for this IOCCC. **SUGGESTION**: Watch both the [IOCCC news](../news.html) and the [IOCCC Mastodon](https://fosstodon.org/@ioccc) feed for the latest news about any **changes**. The [IOCCC rules](rules.html), [IOCCC guidelines](guidelines.html), and [IOCCC mkiocccentry tools](https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry) are now official. Should you have any questions about these, please see the FAQ on "[best way to ask a question about the IOCCC rules, guideline and tools](../faq.html#questions)" for how to ask them. Be sure to review the official [IOCCC rules](rules.html), [IOCCC guidelines](guidelines.html), for any changes, as well as updating your [IOCCC mkiocccentry tools](https://github.com/ioccc-src/mkiocccentry) as changes to them may have been made while the contest was "**[pending](../faq.html#pending)**. See also the FAQ on "[how to submit](submit.html)" for more information on the submission process when the IOCCC [reopens](../faq.html#open). ### When the IOCCC status is _judging_ While the IOCCC status is **[JUDGING](../faq.html#judging)**, the [rules](rules.html) and [guidelines](guidelines.html) are for the when the was previously **[OPEN](../faq.html#open)** for new submissions. See the [IOCCC news](../news.html) as well as the [IOCCC Mastodon](https://fosstodon.org/@ioccc) feed for updates on the IOCCC judging process as well as for the announcement of [who won the IOCCC](../years.html).