Show HN: TownSquare, a tiny presence layer for websites
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
TownSquare adds a tiny real-time presence layer to websites via one script tag.
TownSquare is a presence layer that lets website visitors see each other, move around a 2D space, interact with props like benches and trees, and chat in real time. Setup requires pasting a single <script> tag before </body>. No accounts or algorithms are needed. The project is open source on GitHub and includes a network map of registered TownSquares. The creator acknowledges the project was largely 'vibe-coded.'
What commenters are saying
The thread is largely enthusiastic, with many commenters praising the project's fun, playful design and the detail of props like benches and trees. However, significant concerns arise about moderation: the demo fills with offensive messages from the HN crowd. Commenters discuss moderation strategies, including pre-set text, keyword lists, and OpenAI's free moderation endpoint. One camp suggests shadowbanning disruptive users via LLM-powered echo chambers, while others critique this as dystopian. Performance issues under the HN traffic surge are noted.