Show HN Daily Selection (2025-05-19)
- I modeled the Voynich Manuscript with SBERT to test for structure
- Vaev – A browser engine built from scratch (It renders google.com)
- Python Simulator of David Deutsch’s "Constructor Theory of Time"
- Buckaroo – Data table UI for Notebooks
- Hardtime.nvim – break bad habits and master Vim motions
- Stack Error – ergonomic error handling for Rust
- Model2vec-Rs – Fast Static Text Embeddings in Rust
- A web browser agent in your Chrome side panel
- Chat with 19 years of HN
- Racketmeter – Measure Badminton String Tension Using Sound Frequency
- HTML QR Codes (Animated, Interactive, Programmable)
- Public database of sites for backlinks
- I built a site to binge the best engineering blog posts
- MCP Server for secure code execution (Python, Ruby, C, and more)
- Mouse Escape – A game I made with my dad
- We're Launching Executor – An AI Agent Digital Employee
I modeled the Voynich Manuscript with SBERT to test for structure [Research]
261 points, 73 comments
Analyzed the Voynich Manuscript using SBERT embeddings and NLP techniques to explore its structural patterns.
- Applied SBERT embeddings and KMeans clustering to group similar root forms
- Stripped common suffixes to isolate root forms for clearer analysis
- Inferred POS-like roles based on word position and frequency
- Built a Markov transition matrix to visualize cluster-to-cluster flow
- Found consistent syntax patterns across different manuscript sections
- GitHub repo and detailed write-up provided for further exploration
Discussion Link, Original Link
Vaev – A browser engine built from scratch (It renders google.com) [Developer Tools]
105 points, 43 comments
Vaev is a minimal web browser engine built from scratch that supports HTML/XHTML, CSS, and PDF rendering, even handling complex features like calc() and var().
- Supports HTML/XHTML and CSS cascade
- Implements @page rules for pagination and print-to-PDF
- Handles calc(), var(), and percentage units
- Renders Google.com (mostly)
- Experimental project focused on learning
- Basic networking (http:// and file:// only)
- No grid layout support yet
Discussion Link, Original Link
Python Simulator of David Deutsch’s "Constructor Theory of Time" [Research]
43 points, 6 comments
A Python library simulating David Deutsch's "Constructor Theory of Time" paper, translating its formalism into executable code.
- One-to-one translation of paper's formalism (Substrates, Attributes, Tasks, Constructors, task-algebra operators)
- Encoded possibility/impossibility predicates and counterfactuals as defined
- Test suite covering over 95% of lemmas and examples (mypy-typed)
- Reproduces key results (time-keeping substrates, irreversibility proofs, quantum branching tasks, self-replicating constructor)
- Aims to clarify complex paper concepts through code and encourage discussion/extensions
Discussion Link, Original Link
Buckaroo – Data table UI for Notebooks [Developer Tools]
76 points, 6 comments
Buckaroo is an open-source dataframe viewer with advanced features for data exploration in notebooks, supporting Pandas and Polars dataframes across various platforms.
- Modern table UI with scroll, search, and sort
- Summary stats and histograms
- Extensible framework for building table UIs
- Customizable with declarative layer (AG-Grid)
- Low Code UI for point-and-click operations
- Auto Cleaning with heuristic suggestions
- Supports Jupyter, Marimo, VSCode, and Google Colab
- Data stays local and operations are fast
Discussion Link, Original Link
Hardtime.nvim – break bad habits and master Vim motions [Developer Tools]
154 points, 59 comments
Break bad habits and master Vim motions with Hardtime.nvim.
- Helps users improve Vim motion efficiency
- Designed to discourage inefficient or repetitive habits
- Plugin for Neovim integration
Discussion Link, Original Link
Stack Error – ergonomic error handling for Rust [Developer Tools]
22 points, 6 comments
Stack Error simplifies error handling in Rust with ergonomic design and informative debugging.
- Similar ergonomics to anyhow
- Creates informative error messages for debugging
- Provides typed data for runtime error handling
Discussion Link, Original Link
Model2vec-Rs – Fast Static Text Embeddings in Rust [Developer Tools]
46 points, 5 comments
Fast Rust-based static text embeddings for high-throughput applications.
- Rust-native inference with zero Python dependency
- Tiny footprint (~1.7 MB crate, 7-30 MB models)
- High performance (~1.7× speedup over Python)
- Supports Hugging Face or local models
- Ideal for semantic search, RAG, and retrieval
Discussion Link, Original Link
A web browser agent in your Chrome side panel [Productivity]
127 points, 57 comments
BrowserBee is a privacy-first AI browser assistant that automates tasks using various LLMs directly in Chrome's side panel.
- Supports multiple LLMs (Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini, Ollama)
- Browser extension form factor for convenience
- No tracking or data collection (only communicates with LLM)
- Memory feature for faster task repetition
- Real-time token counting and cost tracking
- Approval flow for critical actions
- Multi-tab task execution
- Built-in browser tools for navigation and interactions
Discussion Link, Original Link
Chat with 19 years of HN [Research]
122 points, 88 comments
A tool to query and analyze 19 years of Hacker News data using AI models like OpenAI and Claude.
- Allows complex queries about HN trends, users, and content
- Free for 10 messages with login to prevent abuse
- Supports visualization feedback for graphs/charts
- Uses OpenAI or Claude AI models for processing
Discussion Link, Original Link
Racketmeter – Measure Badminton String Tension Using Sound Frequency [Consumer Tech]
33 points, 12 comments
A browser-based tool that measures badminton racket string tension using sound frequency analysis.
- Free to use with no sign-up or installation required
- Works on both mobile and desktop browsers
- Uses a trained regression model for accurate tension measurement
- Developed with real-world data from professional stringers
- More accurate and user-friendly than competing paid apps
- No ads or paywalls, maintaining simplicity
Discussion Link, Original Link
HTML QR Codes (Animated, Interactive, Programmable) [Developer Tools]
4 points, 3 comments
QRBRD is a dynamic HTML5-based QR code generator that replaces traditional static images with interactive, programmable codes.
- Dynamic & Animated: Creates QR codes that animate or respond to real-time data for enhanced engagement.
- Fully Programmable: Uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for customizable, responsive designs.
- Real-time Integration: Connects with APIs or live data sources (e.g., weather updates).
- HTML5 Native: Generates QR codes as pure HTML/SVG/Canvas, reducing hosting costs.
- Pixel-Perfect Scaling: Adapts seamlessly for digital signage, kiosks, and mobile.
- Instant Styling: Allows real-time CSS changes without extra API calls.
- Built-in Interactivity: Supports animations, timers, geo-location, and sensor triggers.
- Optimized Performance: Minified and compressed for fast loading and low CPU/GPU usage.
- Free Tier Available: Experiment with basic features; paid options include AI-assisted workflows.
Discussion Link, Original Link
Public database of sites for backlinks [Marketing]
3 points, 0 comments
Public database of sites for backlinks to promote new projects.
- Includes popular, niche, and growing sites
- Open access without sign-up required
Discussion Link, Original Link
I built a site to binge the best engineering blog posts [Education]
4 points, 0 comments
A curated site for binge-reading high-quality engineering blog posts to avoid low-quality online content.
- Focuses on depth over breadth in engineering content
- Free and ad-free experience
- Designed to improve engineering skills
- Encourages user feedback for continuous improvement
Discussion Link, Original Link
MCP Server for secure code execution (Python, Ruby, C, and more) [Developer Tools]
5 points, 0 comments
Secure code execution server supporting multiple languages like Python, Ruby, and C.
- Supports multiple programming languages
- Focuses on secure code execution
- No additional details provided in the post
Discussion Link, Original Link
Mouse Escape – A game I made with my dad [Entertainment]
7 points, 1 comments
A Pac-Man-inspired game where a mouse escapes humans and collects cheese, created by a 4th grader and their dad in just one hour using AI.
- Simple, fun gameplay similar to Pac-Man
- Play as a mouse avoiding humans and collecting cheese
- Created collaboratively with AI assistance
- Quick development time (1 hour)
- Accessible via a web link for easy playtesting
Discussion Link, Original Link
We're Launching Executor – An AI Agent Digital Employee [Life Assistant]
3 points, 3 comments
Executor is an AI agent that performs computer-based tasks like booking flights, writing reports, and managing spreadsheets from simple prompts.
- Runs locally or via cloud-hosted instance
- Handles diverse tasks (research, spreadsheet management, etc.)
- Web interface for multi-device control and task scheduling
- Central dashboard for task management
- Demo available for preview