A tool that applies multiple regular-expression filters to Hacker News posts—especially “Who’s Hiring?”—to hide irrelevant comments.
JavaScript (client-side script leveraging regular expressions to filter Hacker News comments)
2025-09-02
- website
Highlight 1
Provides targeted filtering using powerful regular expressions, giving users precise control over what comments they see.
Highlight 2
Lightweight and easy to use without requiring installation of heavy tools or external dependencies.
Highlight 3
Solves a real problem in high-volume Hacker News threads, especially 'Who's Hiring?', by saving users significant time.
Improvement 1
Usability could be improved for non-technical users who may not be comfortable writing regex patterns.
Improvement 2
The tool currently lacks a user interface; everything has to be configured in code, which could limit adoption.
Improvement 3
No documentation on how to easily integrate or run the script directly in a browser, which may create barriers for first-time users.
Product Functionality
Add a simple graphical interface for creating and managing filters without requiring regex knowledge, such as keyword-based inputs or checkboxes.
UI & UX
Provide a bookmarklet or browser extension version for one-click application, improving accessibility and ease of use.
SEO or Marketing
Create a small demo site or GitHub Pages page showcasing how the tool works with screenshots, usage examples, and benefits to attract more users.
MultiLanguage Support
Offer basic documentation and examples in multiple languages (e.g., English, Spanish, Chinese) to reach a broader user base, especially since Hacker News has global readership.
- 1
How do I use this tool on Hacker News?
You can run the JavaScript code directly in your browser console when viewing a Hacker News post. Once filters are set, only comments matching your regular expressions will remain visible.
- 2
Do I need to know regular expressions to use this?
Yes, the filters rely on regular expressions. While this provides flexibility, it may require some learning if you're unfamiliar with regex syntax.
- 3
Can I apply multiple filters at once?
Yes, you can define multiple regex filters, and they will be applied with an 'AND' condition, meaning only comments that satisfy all filters will be shown.