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Show HN: Breadboard – A modern HyperCard for building web apps on the canvas (breadboards.io)

93 points by simquat ↗ HN
Hey HN! I’m Simone. We re-built Breadboard, a visual app builder that mixes Figma-style UI design with Shortcuts-style logic so you can build, preview, and publish interactive web apps directly from the canvas.

What it does

    Design UIs visually with a flexible canvas –like Figma–.
    Define app logic with a visual, instruction-stacked editor inspired by Shortcuts.
    Live preview apps directly on the canvas –no separate preview window–.
    Publish working web apps with one click.
Why we made it

    Modernize the HyperCard idea: combine layout, behavior, and instant sharing in one place.
    Reduce friction between design and a working app.
    Make simple web apps approachable for non-developers while keeping power features for developers.
    Build a foundation for LLM integration so users can design and develop with AI while still understanding what’s happening, even without coding experience –in progress!–.
Try it –no signup required–

Weather forecast app: https://app.breadboards.io/playgrounds/weather

Swiss Public Transit: https://app.breadboards.io/playgrounds/public_transit

info: https://breadboards.io

I would appreciate any feedback :)

7 comments

[ 4.1 ms ] story [ 30.1 ms ] thread
Neywiny
Many years ago, back when I was in high school and they started getting into things like 3D printing and electronics and stuff, the person in charge of all that was discussing the plans with me. I think because I was one of the only students who had electronics experience, at least that people knew about. Anyway, he said they were "going to use breadboard to prototype". The singular of the term was as if it was a product like this. He was so used to every product being a singular of an existing word that would otherwise be plural that when it wasn't a brand/company, he did it anyway. So while I wish you guys much success, feel free to find a name that isn't already a thing.
gnodar
Looks like a less feature-full version of livecode [0], which I'd argue is more of a HyperCard successor", since they were formerly revolution & MetaCard, and can import HyperCard stacks.

[0] https://livecode.com/

davsti4
Nice - I like the interface, and its easy to navigate. I don't see a way to test the demo apps, but maybe I missed that?

One thing that stands out is where does the app reside? It seems like it perpetually lives within your ecosystem/servers.

For customers that have contracts with me, I'd then need to disclose Breadboard as a subprocessor given the level of integration in the supply chain, IF the apps aren't downloadable and independently auditable.

You've also probably seen SaaS stocks taking a hit lately...

davidmurdoch
I bought breadboard.ai like 11ish years ago and ended up giving up on in the venture (AI voice assistant hardware built into a house via standard US 120V outlets and light switches, basically Jarvis). Anyway, the logo is begging to be a lowercase b, like this:

•

•

••

••

But the dots are small rectangles, like on a breadboard.

standyro
This kinda reminds me a bit of Retool, a SaaS tool I've used quite extensively since a coworker used it to build analytics and customer service data dashboards. It's great, but their mobile layouts kind of suck, so maybe there's something here.

Maintaining a balance between power users and new users is inherently a struggle. "Low Code" type tools are tough for me in industry as you often quickly find the rough edge that is the critical path for your needs.

I loved HyperCard when I was a kid. It encouraged programming in a visual way. I'm not sure there were that many applications built on it, aside from the games Myst and You Don't Know Jack. Maybe that's good enough?