Hacker News: pompomsheep

New comment by pompomsheep in "Show HN: Zanagrams"

pompomsheep — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 13:35:14 +0000

Hmm I'm also macOS webkit and can drag no problem. Are you using Safari?

It is also possible to tap each individual letter like you described as an alternative control method but I've found dragging to be more intuitive so is the standard control.

On desktop you can also type the letters with your keyboard ;)

New comment by pompomsheep in "Show HN: Zanagrams"

pompomsheep — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 13:10:46 +0000

I've added a global average time for now to each puzzle if that's nice?

I will look into potentially adding percentiles in the next few days once I see how big the ranges are!

New comment by pompomsheep in "Show HN: Zanagrams"

pompomsheep — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:38:50 +0000

Thanks for the feedback. Do you think finding plural should automatically find the root word as well?

New comment by pompomsheep in "Show HN: Zanagrams"

pompomsheep — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:55:04 +0000

I have it semi automated but I've found they need to be manually reviewed to make fun puzzles.

Basically I start with an 8, 9 or 10 letter word as the core of the puzzle. I then have a generator add random letters and paths around this until it makes a grid with a good number of valid words.

I then run the words though GPT 5.5 which scores them on how "common" the word is to the average person. This is very subjective as everyone has very different vocabularies.

I then manually decide which words to include as core required words or bonus words.

Finally the puzzle is tested by my wife and mum to see if it is "fun" or it goes in the bin haha.

New comment by pompomsheep in "Show HN: Zanagrams"

pompomsheep — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:39:24 +0000

Which colors specifically if you dont mind me asking?

New comment by pompomsheep in "Show HN: Zanagrams"

pompomsheep — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:38:46 +0000

Fixed this thanks!

New comment by pompomsheep in "Show HN: Zanagrams"

pompomsheep — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:38:19 +0000

This was helpful feedback thank you. I've tried to make this more clear with a new tutorial and updataed instructions

New comment by pompomsheep in "Show HN: Zanagrams"

pompomsheep — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:37:47 +0000

Haha just a common bird family. Get your head out of the gutter!

New comment by pompomsheep in "Show HN: Zanagrams"

pompomsheep — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:31:52 +0000

Wow, this post blew up! Thank you everyone for all the helpful feedback. I’ve just deployed a few updates:

  - Added a short playable tutorial for new players to learn how the game works.

  - Added a timer below the grid. You can hide this in the settings if you don’t want the extra pressure!

  - Fixed some bonus words based on your recommendations.

I also made a bonus HN themed puzzle as a thanks for all the feedback - https://zanagrams.com/hackernews

New comment by pompomsheep in "Show HN: Zanagrams"

pompomsheep — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:49:35 +0000

Thanks. I use a combination of AI to first score the words by obscurity and then manually decide which ones to include based on this score and my own judgement.

I then manually test each of the puzzles and throw out any that I feel weren't "fun" to solve for whatever reason