M
MercyNews
Home
Back
New Tool Scrolls Wikipedia Like TikTok
Technology

New Tool Scrolls Wikipedia Like TikTok

Hacker News4d ago
3 min read
📋

Key Facts

  • ✓ The tool uses Gemini 3 Flash to generate HTML and Canvas posts just-in-time.
  • ✓ Comments and DMs are linked via Cloudflare Workers Durable Objects for speed.
  • ✓ Generated posts are saved into DO SQLite for faster serving in the 'Following' feed.
  • ✓ The project was inspired by Wikitok, a VSCode extension created by the developer.

In This Article

  1. Quick Summary
  2. Generative UI Architecture
  3. Speed and Data Management
  4. Inspiration and Origins
  5. Conclusion

Quick Summary#

A new experimental interface has been introduced that mimics the scrolling behavior of social media applications like TikTok but applies it to Wikipedia content. The project utilizes fully generative UIs, meaning the visual structure of the feed is created dynamically rather than being pre-loaded.

The system generates posts just-in-time using HTML and Canvas elements. This generation is powered by Gemini 3 Flash, which streams the content to the user. The developer has also integrated Cloudflare technology to handle the speed of interactions, specifically for comments and direct messages.

This project was inspired by previous work, including a VSCode extension called Wikitok. The goal is to provide a faster, more engaging way to consume information by serving saved posts quickly through a specific database architecture.

Generative UI Architecture#

The core of this new experience is the generative UI technology. Unlike traditional websites that serve static HTML, this tool generates the visual layout of every post on the feed in real-time. The developer has experimented with this concept since the era of GPT-2, but the current implementation uses Gemini 3 Flash to handle the heavy lifting.

Every post seen on the feed—ranging from various topics—is streamed directly to the user. The system creates the HTML and Canvas elements just moments before they appear on screen. This approach allows for a highly dynamic and potentially infinite stream of content.

The technical stack involves:

  • Real-time generation of visual elements
  • Streaming via Gemini 3 Flash
  • Dynamic HTML and Canvas rendering

Speed and Data Management#

Speed is a critical factor in the user experience of this tool. To achieve responsiveness similar to native applications, the developer implemented Cloudflare Workers Durable Objects. This technology manages the state for comments and direct messages, ensuring they feel instantaneous and bidirectionally linked.

Behind the scenes, the system handles data storage efficiently. Every generated post is saved into a DO SQLite database. This storage method allows the system to serve content rapidly to the 'Following' feed.

By caching the generated posts, the application can deliver a smoother scrolling experience. The combination of Cloudflare infrastructure and local storage optimization aims to eliminate lag when switching between posts.

Inspiration and Origins#

The project did not emerge in a vacuum; it is the result of iterative experimentation. The developer cites Wikitok as a primary source of inspiration. Wikitok was originally created as a VSCode Extension focused on the concept of brainrot—a term often used to describe highly addictive, short-form content.

In addition to the VSCode extension, the developer had previously built another fully generative UI site. These prior projects provided the technical foundation and conceptual framework needed to build the current Wikipedia-scrolling tool.

The evolution from a code editor extension to a standalone web interface demonstrates a shift toward making information consumption more accessible and visually engaging for a broader audience.

Conclusion#

This experimental tool represents a significant shift in how information from sources like Wikipedia can be consumed. By combining generative AI with the interface patterns of social media, the developer creates a unique browsing experience. The use of Cloudflare and DO SQLite ensures that the experience remains fast and responsive, despite the complex real-time generation happening in the background.

As users continue to look for more engaging ways to learn, tools that blend education with entertainment mechanics may become more prevalent. This project serves as a proof-of-concept for how just-in-time generation can be applied to large knowledge bases.

Continue scrolling for more

AI Transforms Mathematical Research and Proofs
Technology

AI Transforms Mathematical Research and Proofs

Artificial intelligence is shifting from a promise to a reality in mathematics. Machine learning models are now generating original theorems, forcing a reevaluation of research and teaching methods.

Just now
4 min
166
Read Article
Emily Henry’s ‘People We Meet on Vacation’ Lands 17.2 Million Views Over Netflix Opening Weekend
Entertainment

Emily Henry’s ‘People We Meet on Vacation’ Lands 17.2 Million Views Over Netflix Opening Weekend

Emily Henry’s “People We Meet on Vacation” Netflix film adaptation debuted to 17.2 million views over its launch weekend. Per the streamer, the rom-com was the No. 1 film on its English-language Top 10 movie list for the week of Jan. 5–Jan. 11 following its release Jan 9. In addition to “People We Meet on […]

3h
3 min
0
Read Article
Après un refus d’obtempérer, un automobiliste décède dans un accident de la route
Accidents

Après un refus d’obtempérer, un automobiliste décède dans un accident de la route

Un policier conduisant un véhicule banalisé a tenté de contrôler une voiture de location «au comportement suspect» peu avant 3h00 du matin à Saint-Julien-lès-Metz. Le conducteur a ensuite éteint ses feux et pris la fuite.

3h
3 min
0
Read Article
Musk vs. Altman: April Trial Date Set for AI Showdown
Technology

Musk vs. Altman: April Trial Date Set for AI Showdown

The long-running feud between Elon Musk and Sam Altman is heading to a federal courtroom in Oakland this spring. A judge has scheduled a jury trial for April, setting the stage for a major showdown over OpenAI's evolution.

3h
5 min
2
Read Article
Technology

A consumer watchdog issued a warning about Google’s AI agent shopping protocol — Google says she’s wrong

A consumer economics watchdog says Google's new Universal Commerce Protocol is ripe for misuse where consumers could pay more for items. Google denies this.

3h
3 min
0
Read Article
Peter Molyneux Parody Account Ends 16-Year Run
Entertainment

Peter Molyneux Parody Account Ends 16-Year Run

After 16 years of satirical commentary, a notorious parody account dedicated to game developer Peter Molyneux has officially called it quits. The account's closure coincides with the upcoming release of Molyneux's final game.

3h
5 min
6
Read Article
Crédit Suisse va verser plus de 900.000 euros à une ancienne salariée pour discrimination liée à une grossesse
Society

Crédit Suisse va verser plus de 900.000 euros à une ancienne salariée pour discrimination liée à une grossesse

La plaignante, embauchée par Crédit Suisse en 2009, considérait avoir été victime d’une discrimination «en raison de son sexe, de sa maternité et de sa qualité de mère».

3h
3 min
0
Read Article
Technology

Ring's AI Evolution: The Rise of the Intelligent Assistant

AI is ushering in Ring’s next chapter, as the Amazon-owned video doorbell maker shifts toward becoming an 'intelligent assistant.'

4h
5 min
6
Read Article
Tennessee Man to Plead Guilty in Supreme Court Hack
Crime

Tennessee Man to Plead Guilty in Supreme Court Hack

A 24-year-old Tennessee man is set to admit to accessing the Supreme Court's electronic filing system without authorization dozens of times throughout 2023.

4h
5 min
6
Read Article
Highest-Grossing Actors: The Billion-Dollar Club
Entertainment

Highest-Grossing Actors: The Billion-Dollar Club

Longevity and strategic franchise choices define the modern movie star. Explore the actors who have grossed over $11 billion worldwide, led by Zoe Saldaña and Scarlett Johansson.

4h
5 min
6
Read Article
🎉

You're all caught up!

Check back later for more stories

Back to Home