Hacker News Search
Finding the right information is a constant challenge for developers. Articles in this section look at search tools, indexing technology, and ways to dig through technical discussions and archives, alongside broader news about how search is evolving across the software industry.
Expect pieces on full-text search engines, ranking algorithms, and the craft of indexing large archives, together with practical guides to querying community discussion history. News about vector search and AI-assisted retrieval has become a regular theme as the industry rethinks how people find answers.
Search sits underneath almost every developer workflow, from debugging an obscure error to researching a library before adopting it. Engineers who build search features, and anyone who simply wants to find past technical wisdom faster, will recognize their daily problems in these stories.
Introduction to Atom
2026-05-04A recent Hacker News discussion explored the continued relevance of the Atom XML syndication format, noting that platforms like GitHub and YouTube still actively use the 2005 protocol for tracking updates. Despite its niche status today, users praised the feed's reliability and highlighted its practical applications for monitoring repositories and videos. Participants also criticized major tech companies for deliberately abandoning semantic web standards in favor of closed ecosystems that restrict open information sharing.

I built my own hair electrolysis machine
2026-05-03A maker has built a DIY hair electrolysis machine featuring voltage regulation and shared their build details and results with the community. The accompanying discussion explored technical questions about the device's hardware costs, pain levels, and procedural speed compared to professional treatments. Additionally, the thread highlighted the active trans community within the hacker scene, sparking humorous tangents about DIY hormone extraction.
Show HN: State of the Art of Coding Models, According to Hacker News Commenters
2026-05-02A new project analyzes Hacker News discussions to determine the popularity and sentiment of Large Language Models among developers. The tool works by automatically detecting models from the OpenRouter catalog and scoring community sentiment within the comment threads. Ultimately, it provides a data-driven look at which coding AI tools are currently considered state-of-the-art by the tech community.
Show HN: WhatCable, a tiny menu bar app for inspecting USB-C cables
2026-05-01A new lightweight macOS menu bar app called WhatCable allows users to instantly check the capabilities of any connected USB-C cable. The utility eliminates guesswork by explaining exactly what each cable can do in plain English. Recently shared on Hacker News, this tool helps Mac users easily navigate the confusing landscape of varying USB-C standards.
Ask HN: Who is hiring? (May 2026)
2026-05-01Biotech startup Project Debug is hiring a generalist engineer in Singapore to manage the automated rearing and sex-sorting of mosquitoes to combat dengue and other vector-borne diseases. The Hacker News discussion surrounding the job post reveals strong community fascination with the startup's use of the sterile insect technique and its unique blend of software, hardware, and real-world ecological impact.
Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (May 2026)
2026-05-01The May 2026 Hacker News hiring thread features a diverse group of tech professionals seeking new opportunities, ranging from a recently laid off Cloudflare infrastructure expert and a seasoned fractional CTO to recent graduates and startup founders. These candidates are showcasing specialized skills in areas like AI compliance auditing, edge computing, and distributed systems while pursuing remote or hybrid roles that allow them to tackle complex backend and artificial intelligence challenges.

Show HN: AI CAD Harness
2026-05-01The newly launched AI CAD Harness acts as an artificial intelligence copilot specifically designed for Autodesk Fusion. Shared on Hacker News, the tool aims to streamline the 3D modeling process by integrating AI assistance directly into the designer's workflow.

Show HN: Rip.so – a graveyard for dead internet things
2026-04-29Rip.so is a newly launched digital graveyard that serves as a memorial for defunct internet products and services. Highlighted on Hacker News, the site pays a nostalgic tribute to forgotten messengers, obsolete browsers, discontinued gadgets, and websites the internet forgot.
UAE Leaves OPEC
2026-04-28Recent reports indicate that the United Arab Emirates has officially left OPEC. While the original article could not be retrieved, the announcement is currently being discussed by the tech community in merged threads on Hacker News.

Clay PCB Tutorial
2026-04-26A newly published tutorial explores how makers can fabricate printed circuit boards using wild clay. This innovative DIY method provides a sustainable and accessible alternative to traditional materials for creating custom electronics.
I cancelled Claude: Token issues, declining quality, and poor support
2026-04-24A Hacker News post details a user's decision to cancel their Claude subscription over token issues, declining quality, and poor customer support. The author clarifies that the critique focuses primarily on Anthropic's specific design decisions and support performance rather than just general AI capabilities.
Show HN: Gova – The declarative GUI framework for Go
2026-04-24A new open-source project named Gova was recently introduced on Hacker News as a declarative graphical user interface framework for the Go programming language. It aims to streamline the process of building applications for Go developers. The source code is publicly available on GitHub for the community to explore and contribute to.

French government agency confirms breach as hacker offers to sell data
2026-04-23France Titres, the French government agency responsible for issuing administrative documents, has confirmed a data breach involving stolen citizen data. The disclosure follows claims from a threat actor who compromised the system and is now offering the stolen information for sale.

Brussels launched an age checking app. Hackers took 2 minutes to break it
2026-04-20The European Commission recently launched a new age verification app, claiming the technology was fully prepared for deployment, but cybersecurity experts quickly identified critical flaws. Hackers successfully breached the application in just two minutes, exposing significant security vulnerabilities in the EU digital initiative.

Vercel April 2026 security incident
2026-04-19Cloud development platform Vercel has disclosed a security incident after threat actors claimed to have breached its systems. The attackers are currently attempting to sell the stolen data.
Ask HN: How did you land your first projects as a solo engineer/consultant?
2026-04-19A recent Hacker News discussion reveals that independent engineers and consultants typically land their first projects by actively providing value and building authority within niche online communities. Contributors strongly advise against general consulting, recommending instead that professionals specialize in a specific technical or industry niche to stand out in a crowded market. Ultimately, combining deep single-subject expertise with a transparent personal brand and consistent lead follow-up is the most effective strategy for attracting long-term clients.

Show HN: Shader Lab, like Photoshop but for shaders
2026-04-19Shader Lab is a new toolkit launched on Hacker News that provides a visual, Photoshop-like interface for shader development. The platform allows users to easily create, stack, and animate complex shaders without relying solely on manual coding.

"cat readme.txt" is not safe if you use iTerm2
2026-04-18A newly identified vulnerability in the iTerm2 terminal emulator allows attackers to turn a simple "cat readme.txt" command into arbitrary code execution. By exploiting how the application processes terminal output, hackers can weaponize seemingly harmless file reads to run malicious scripts.
Guy builds AI driven hardware hacker arm from duct tape, old cam and CNC machine
2026-04-16A hardware hacker has built an AI-driven automated probing arm using unconventional materials like duct tape, an old camera, and a CNC machine. The DIY system, named AutoProber, features an agent-driven automation stack that handles target discovery, microscope mapping, and precise pin probing.
Ask HN: Who is using OpenClaw?
2026-04-15Hacker News users are sharing diverse use cases for OpenClaw, an AI assistant integrated with tools like Obsidian and Telegram for daily life administration and automated memory tracking. While proponents praise the platform for preserving generational family histories and streamlining personal organization, critics argue that bots documenting intimate conversations feels invasive. The discussion ultimately highlights an ongoing debate over the ethical balance between leveraging AI for valuable archival purposes and preserving authentic human connections.