Both are wrong. OP should have just done the assignment and not send proposals, deploy it all on server less deployments etc. Kagi should not have implied that the more the better
Did they, though? From my reading of it, it seems like they wanted a minimal terminal inspired client akin to mutt with a fake backend and plain text.
TUI libraries are more of a PITA than HTML. Also you gotta learn the entire API of a specific TUI library to make it work, this learning will never be useful to you again. With HTML at least you know it is a standard.
And remember, they told me:
> We always have a lot of candidates, some they do the basic, some provide a lot of extra features [...] From hiring point of view, we prefer stronger assessments.
and the instructions mention:
> Do the project in a way that shows off your skills as a developer
The instructions also mention "web app" as a valid solution, literally.
So why should I conclude that making the minimal effort would give me a better chance as an applicant?
There is simply no rhyme or reason to the entire process and communication from the company.