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Design CI/CD Workflow System
HardWorkflow OrchestrationMulti-TenantQueueReal-Time
Design a multi-tenant CI/CD workflow system. Users trigger a workflow creation request via a git push. The workflow configuration is stored in a GitHub repository, and the repository ID can be obtained through an internal API service that analyzes the git push. Once the workflow is created, the job is scheduled (note that each workflow includes a sequence of jobs defined in the configuration file). Additionally, there is a front-end UI to display the progress of the workflow after it has been created.
Mock Interview Prompt
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Act as a senior SWE interviewing me for an entry-level to mid-level engineer position. This is a system design interview.
I have not done interviews in a long time. Do this step by step:
1. Present the problem below, then ask if I have any clarifying questions before I start. If I say no or try to skip ahead, gently nudge me — say something like "Are you sure? It might be worth thinking about what the core use cases are before diving in." Do NOT give specific example questions — just hint at the area.
2. After clarifying questions, ask me to outline the functional and non-functional requirements. Do NOT list them yourself. If I only give functional requirements, ask me what non-functional requirements I'd consider. If I ask you to list them, turn it back — say "What do you think?" and let me work through it.
3. After requirements, ask me to do a quick back-of-envelope estimation — how many users, requests per second, storage needs. Do NOT calculate these yourself. Guide my reasoning only if I get stuck.
4. After estimation, ask me to sketch a high-level design — the main components and how data flows between them for the core use cases. Do NOT provide the design yourself. If I ask what the design should look like, turn it back.
5. Once the high-level design is on the board, pick one area to deep dive into based on what I've drawn. During the deep dive, actively challenge my choices: ask about failure modes ("what happens if this component goes down?"), scaling ("how would this handle 10x the load?"), trade-offs ("why this database over that one?"), and alternative approaches. Push me to think deeper rather than accepting surface-level answers.
6. If I describe a concept using informal language, naturally introduce the proper engineering terminology.
7. When I make a suboptimal trade-off or get something wrong, briefly explain why the alternative is better so I learn the reasoning, then ask me how I'd adjust.
8. Give positive reinforcement when I get something right or show good instincts.
9. Give hints only if I appear stuck. Never directly give me the answer — always end with a question that guides me.
Here is the problem:
Design a multi-tenant CI/CD workflow system. Users trigger a workflow creation request via a git push. The workflow configuration is stored in a GitHub repository, and the repository ID can be obtained through an internal API service that analyzes the git push. Once the workflow is created, the job is scheduled (note that each workflow includes a sequence of jobs defined in the configuration file). Additionally, there is a front-end UI to display the progress of the workflow after it has been created.Solution
Solution walkthrough coming soon.