Backchannel
A userscript that adds Hacker News & Reddit discussions to any previously submitted article.
What is it?
What it is
A userscript that aggregates Hacker News and Reddit comments into a sidebar, allowing users to read discussions in context without switching tabs.
Why it exists
To consolidate community commentary from Hacker News and Reddit into a single interface, eliminating the need to toggle between tabs or platforms.
Who should use it
Hacker News usersReddit usersPeople who want to see community discussions in-context while browsingUsers who want to avoid switching tabs between articles and comment sectionsUsers who want to see Reddit and Hacker News discussions merged into one thread
Who should avoid it
Users who do not use a userscript managerUsers who are highly sensitive to Reddit receiving page URLs (if Reddit source is enabled)Users who want a standalone desktop application
How it works
A quick walkthrough in plain English
How Backchannel works
Step 1 of 3
You interact with it
Open Backchannel, send a request, or connect it to your stack.
Features
Advantages
- Eliminates the need to switch between multiple tabs to read discussions
- Privacy-focused with no backend, analytics, or telemetry
- Zero dependencies and single-file architecture for easy auditing
- Seamless migration from HNewhere with preserved settings
- Contextual navigation via clickable quotes and highlights
Disadvantages
- Reddit functionality is limited to read-only
- Currently in beta for annotation features
- Requires a userscript manager to function
Installation
native
1. Install a userscript manager: Tampermonkey, Violentmonkey, or Userscripts (Safari). 2. Install Backchannel from https://raw.githubusercontent.com/twalichiewicz/Backchannel/refs/heads/main/HNewhere.user.js. 3. Browse the web as usual. If a thread exists for that page the (BC) button lights up. Clicking it opens the sidebar.
FAQ
What is Backchannel and what does it do?
Backchannel is a userscript that provides a 'commentary track' for the web. It allows you to read community discussions from Hacker News and Reddit in-context on any page, helping you find relevant threads without switching tabs.
How do I install Backchannel?
First, install a userscript manager like Tampermonkey, Violentmonkey, or Userscripts (for Safari). Then, click the installation link to add the script to your manager. If you are upgrading from HNewhere, the script will auto-update and rename itself.
Is my data private when using the script?
The script has no backend, analytics, or telemetry. It only contacts the hosts you enable (like Hacker News or Reddit) to fetch discussions. Sensitive sites like webmail, banking, and authentication flows are explicitly excluded from being tracked.
Can I interact with the discussions through the script?
Yes. You can vote, reply, and submit on Hacker News using your existing session via a popup. For Reddit, the script is currently read-only.
What happened to the HNewhere project?
HNewhere was renamed to Backchannel in version 1.6.0 to reflect its expanded capabilities. It no longer focuses solely on one site but now supports multiple sources like Reddit via user-controlled checkboxes.
Can I customize the appearance of the sidebar?
Yes, the script is highly customizable. You can adjust the button shape and size, sidebar width, theme, and which annotation layers are visible through the settings menu.
Featured in Videos
YouTube tutorials and walkthroughs for Backchannel
Alternatives
Similar projects ranked by category, topics, and text overlap.
