hn-search

Query the Algolia API for Hacker News stories, comments, and user activity.

178|10|Updated Feb 5, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/dylanfeltus/skills --skill hn-search
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: hn-search
Source: https://github.com/dylanfeltus/skills/tree/main/hn-search
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/dylanfeltus/skills --skill hn-search

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Hacker News discovery and monitoring can be time-consuming; this skill provides fast access to relevant stories, comments, and users via the Algolia HN Search API without requiring an API key.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Query and retrieve stories, comments, Show HN, and Ask HN posts with relevance and date filters.
  • Monitor for mentions or topics over time to track trends, competitors, or product discussions.
  • Lightweight integration for developers and product teams to build dashboards, alerts, or summaries from HN data.

Quick Start

Ask the agent to fetch the latest Hacker News discussions about a topic and present a concise summary with links.

Frequently Asked Questions about hn-search

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I search Hacker News stories and comments without an API key?

You can search Hacker News stories and comments without an API key by querying the Algolia HN Search API. This skill retrieves relevant stories, comments, and user activity while applying filters for type and recency.

Can I monitor Hacker News discussions for specific topics over time?

Yes, you can monitor Hacker News discussions for specific topics over time. The skill queries the Algolia API to fetch matching stories and comments, enabling trend tracking and competitive intelligence.

Does the Hacker News Algolia search API support filtering by post type?

The Hacker News Algolia search API supports filtering by post type. You can apply filters for story, show_hn, ask_hn, and comment to narrow down your search results effectively.

What is the best way to find recent Show HN or Ask HN posts?

The best way to find recent Show HN or Ask HN posts is to query the Algolia API with type and recency filters. This skill applies these parameters to return structured fields suitable for downstream agents.

Are there limitations to using the Hacker News Algolia API for automated monitoring?

A limitation of using the Hacker News Algolia API for automated monitoring is the need for throttle-friendly usage. The skill ensures API usage is transparent and throttle-friendly to prevent rate limiting.