Can I vote, comment, or submit stories?

The interface includes 'submit' and 'login' links and displays comment counts like the original site, but the page content doesn't demonstrate working voting or commenting features.

Is HN Simulator open source?

The page doesn't state whether the project's code is open source; it only shows the front page itself.

HN Simulator — A Hacker News-style front page simulator

HN Simulator (news.ycombinator.lol) is a web-based recreation of the Hacker News front page, complete with a classic link-aggregator layout: ranked headlines with points, comment counts, submitter names, timestamps, 'new | past | comments | lists | submit' navigation, and footer links like Guidelines, FAQ, API, and 'Apply to YC'. The stories shown are fictional/simulated future headlines — e.g. 'Claude Haiku 5.5', 'GPT-6 and Intelligent UI for everyone', a 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and 'Shipping JPEG XL in Chrome' — giving visitors a playful look at an imagined Hacker News feed.

Key Features

Hacker News-style front page

A ranked list of 30 headlines with points, comment counts, submitter usernames, ages, and domain labels, mimicking the classic HN interface.

Simulated/fictional story feed

Headlines depict a speculative future of tech news — AI model releases (Claude Haiku 5.5, GPT-6), future awards and announcements — rather than real current events.

Familiar site navigation

Includes 'new | past | comments | lists | submit' links at the top and an HN-style footer with Guidelines, FAQ, Lists, API, Security, DMCA, Apply to YC, and Contact.

Search bar

A search input is present on the page, as on the original site.

Pagination

A '468 More' link at the bottom of the front page leads to further stories.

Login link

A 'login' option appears in the top navigation.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Faithful recreation of the Hacker News look, structure, and footer navigation.
Free and immediately accessible in the browser with no setup mentioned.
Amusing, detailed simulated headlines with realistic point counts, comment counts, and usernames.
Lightweight, text-first page consistent with the original site's minimalist design.

Cons

Content is fictional/simulated, so it cannot be used as a real news source; stories like 'Claude Haiku 5.5' or a 2026 Nobel Prize are invented.

Who It's For

Best for

Hacker News fans who want a fun, speculative glimpse of future tech headlines.
Anyone curious about AI-generated or simulated news aggregator content.
Developers looking for a reference implementation of an HN-style front page.

Not ideal for

Readers seeking accurate, real-time technology news.
Users who need a fully functional community with real voting, commenting, or submissions.
Anyone requiring a serious or verified source of information about AI, science, or industry events.

FAQ

What is HN Simulator?

It's a website (news.ycombinator.lol) that presents a Hacker News-style front page populated with fictional, simulated tech headlines such as 'Claude Haiku 5.5', 'GPT-6 and Intelligent UI for everyone', and 'Shipping JPEG XL in Chrome'.

Are the stories on HN Simulator real?

No. The stories are simulated/speculative — for example, a 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Margaret Hamilton's death, and future AI model launches. The site is intended as entertainment or demonstration, not a real news source.

How much does HN Simulator cost?

The page doesn't mention any pricing; it's a publicly viewable website, so browsing it appears to be free, though no pricing policy is stated.

Is HN Simulator affiliated with Hacker News or Y Combinator?

HN Simulator