Sunday, November 09, 2025

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Create HTML Slides with Notes Using Just 22 Lines of JavaScript

Creating HTML slides with optional notes using minimal JavaScript and synchronized multi-window navigation.

From Hacker News Original Article Hacker News Discussion

A developer created a minimalist HTML slide system with optional notes using just 22 lines and 371 bytes of JavaScript, showcasing how modern browser APIs enable simple, synchronized multi-window presentations.

Why it matters: This approach simplifies slide creation by using plain HTML/CSS/JS without heavy frameworks, making presentations lightweight and easy to customize.

The big picture: It leverages native browser features like scrollIntoView and BroadcastChannel for synchronized notes and slides across windows.

Quick takeaway: Navigation uses intuitive keys (j/k to move slides, n to toggle notes), with automatic syncing between windows for presenter and audience views.

Commenters say: Users appreciate the elegant simplicity and teaching style, suggest adding clicker support and transitions, and discuss mobile support and alternative implementations.