MindFort, a Y Combinator (YC X25) company, has launched an AI-powered continuous penetration testing platform. It uses autonomous agents to probe systems for vulnerabilities, mimicking real-world attacker behavior and adapting to changing environments. This approach aims to provide more comprehensive and realistic security testing than traditional methods, helping companies identify and fix weaknesses proactively. The platform offers continuous vulnerability discovery and reporting, allowing security teams to stay ahead of potential threats.
Better Auth is a new authentication framework for TypeScript applications, designed to simplify and streamline the often complex process of user authentication. It offers a drop-in solution with pre-built UI components, backend logic, and integrations for popular databases and authentication providers like OAuth. The framework aims to handle common authentication flows like signup, login, password reset, and multi-factor authentication, allowing developers to focus on building their core product features rather than reinventing the authentication wheel. It also prioritizes security best practices and provides customizable options for adapting to specific application needs.
Hacker News users discussed Better Auth's focus on TypeScript, with some praising the type safety and developer experience benefits while others questioned the need for a new authentication solution given existing options. Several commenters expressed interest in features like social login integration and passwordless authentication, hoping for more details on their implementation. The limited documentation and the developer's reliance on pre-built UI components also drew criticism, alongside concerns about vendor lock-in. Some users suggested exploring alternative approaches like using existing providers or implementing authentication in-house, particularly for simpler projects. The closed-source nature of the project also raised questions about community involvement and future development. Finally, a few commenters offered feedback on the website's design and user experience.
Tinfoil, a YC-backed startup, has launched a platform offering verifiable privacy for cloud AI. It enables users to run AI inferences on encrypted data without decrypting it, preserving data confidentiality. This is achieved through homomorphic encryption and zero-knowledge proofs, allowing users to verify the integrity of the computation without revealing the data or model. Tinfoil aims to provide a secure and trustworthy way to leverage the power of cloud AI while maintaining full control and privacy over sensitive data. The platform currently supports image classification and stable diffusion tasks, with plans to expand to other AI models.
The Hacker News comments on Tinfoil's launch generally express skepticism and concern around the feasibility of their verifiable privacy claims. Several commenters question how Tinfoil can guarantee privacy given the inherent complexities of AI models and potential data leakage. There's discussion about the difficulty of auditing encrypted computation and whether the claimed "zero-knowledge" properties can truly be achieved in practice. Some users point out the lack of technical details and open-sourcing, hindering proper scrutiny. Others doubt the market demand for such a service, citing the costs and performance overhead associated with privacy-preserving techniques. Finally, there's a recurring theme of distrust towards YC companies making bold claims about privacy.
Artie, a Y Combinator-backed startup building generative AI tools for businesses, is seeking a Senior Product Marketing Manager in San Francisco. This role will be responsible for developing and executing go-to-market strategies, crafting compelling messaging and positioning, conducting market research, and enabling the sales team. The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of the generative AI landscape, excellent communication skills, and a proven track record of successful product launches. Experience with B2B SaaS and developer tools is highly desired.
Hacker News users discuss the apparent disconnect between Artie's stated mission of "AI-powered tools for creativity" and the job description's emphasis on traditional product marketing tasks like competitive analysis and go-to-market strategy. Several commenters question whether a strong product marketing focus so early indicates a pivot away from the initial creative AI vision, or perhaps a struggle to find product-market fit within that niche. The lack of specific mention of AI in the job description's responsibilities fuels this speculation. Some users also express skepticism about the value of a senior marketing role at such an early stage, suggesting a focus on product development might be more prudent. There's a brief exchange regarding Artie's potential market, with some suggesting education as a possibility. Overall, the comments reflect a cautious curiosity about Artie's direction and whether the marketing role signals a shift in priorities.
Jazzberry, a Y Combinator-backed startup, has launched an AI-powered agent designed to automatically find and reproduce bugs in software. It integrates with existing testing workflows and claims to reduce debugging time significantly by autonomously exploring different application states and pinpointing the steps leading to a failure. Jazzberry then provides a detailed report with reproduction steps, stack traces, and contextual information, allowing developers to quickly understand and fix the issue.
The Hacker News comments on Jazzberry, an AI bug-finding agent, express skepticism and raise practical concerns. Several commenters question the value proposition, particularly for complex or nuanced bugs that require deep code understanding. Some doubt the AI's ability to surpass existing static analysis tools or experienced human developers. Others highlight the potential for false positives and the challenge of integrating such a tool into existing workflows. A few express interest in seeing concrete examples or a public beta to assess its real-world capabilities. The lack of readily available information about Jazzberry's underlying technology and methodology further fuels the skepticism. Overall, the comments reflect a cautious wait-and-see attitude towards this new tool.
Miyagi, a YC W25 startup, transforms existing YouTube videos into interactive online courses. It allows creators to add quizzes, flashcards, and other learning resources directly within or alongside a YouTube video. This aims to make learning from YouTube more structured and engaging, while offering creators a new revenue stream beyond traditional advertising. The platform handles payment processing and content hosting, providing a seamless experience for both learners and educators.
HN commenters generally expressed interest in Miyagi's approach to creating interactive courses from YouTube videos. Several questioned the long-term viability of relying on YouTube's platform, citing potential copyright issues and YouTube's own educational initiatives. Some suggested focusing on specific niches or partnering directly with creators. The pricing model also drew scrutiny, with some finding it expensive for individual users. Positive comments focused on the potential for educational accessibility and the convenience of leveraging existing YouTube content. The ability to integrate quizzes and interactive elements was seen as a valuable addition. A few commenters offered specific suggestions for improvement, such as incorporating spaced repetition and different learning modalities.
Legion Health (YC S21) is seeking founding engineers to build an AI-powered mental healthcare platform. They're aiming to create a personalized, data-driven approach to diagnosis and treatment, combining the best aspects of human therapists and AI. The ideal candidates are experienced full-stack or backend engineers proficient in Python/TypeScript and interested in tackling the mental health crisis. They offer competitive equity and the opportunity to shape the future of mental healthcare.
Several Hacker News commenters express skepticism about using AI to "fix" mental health, questioning whether it's the right tool for such complex and nuanced issues. Some worry about the potential for misdiagnosis and the ethical implications of relying on AI for mental health support. Others point out the difficulty of collecting accurate and representative data for training such AI models, particularly given the subjective nature of mental health experiences. There's also discussion around the potential for bias in these systems and the importance of human oversight. A few commenters offer alternative perspectives, suggesting AI could be useful for specific tasks like scheduling or administrative work, freeing up human clinicians to focus on patient care. The potential for misuse and the need for careful regulation are also highlighted. Several users questioned the high salary advertised given the company's early stage, while others shared personal anecdotes related to mental healthcare access and affordability.
Synder, a Y Combinator-backed (S21) fintech company specializing in accounting automation for e-commerce businesses, is hiring a Business Development Representative. This role focuses on outbound sales, generating leads, qualifying prospects, and scheduling demos for the sales team. Ideal candidates possess strong communication and sales skills, are comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment, and have a genuine interest in the SaaS and fintech industries. This is a remote position offering an opportunity to contribute to a rapidly growing company.
Hacker News users discussed the listed salary ($60k-$80k) for the Business Development Representative role at Synder, with many finding it too low, especially for a YC-backed company located in the Bay Area. Several commenters pointed out the high cost of living in the region, arguing that the offered range is insufficient for a comfortable lifestyle, even for an entry-level position. Some suggested the low salary might reflect a commission-heavy compensation structure, while others speculated it might indicate issues with the company's funding or business model. The overall sentiment was negative, with many users expressing skepticism about the job posting and advising potential applicants to carefully consider the compensation before applying.
Artifact, a YC W25 startup building a personalized news feed, is hiring a Forward Deployed Software Engineer. This role involves working directly with users, rapidly iterating on product features based on feedback, and collaborating closely with the founding team. Ideal candidates are highly adaptable, enjoy a fast-paced environment, possess strong communication skills, and are proficient in full-stack development with a preference for React and Node.js. The position offers the opportunity to significantly impact the product's direction and grow alongside a small, ambitious team.
The Hacker News comments express skepticism and concern about Artifact's "Forward Deployed Software Engineer" job posting. Several commenters question the meaning of "forward deployed," interpreting it as potentially euphemistic for dangerous or unstable work environments, possibly involving military or conflict zones. Others speculate it might refer to embedded systems or working directly with clients. The lack of clarity in the job description is criticized, with some suggesting it's a red flag and a sign of poor communication from the company. A few commenters note the high salary offered, but this is largely overshadowed by the ambiguity surrounding the role's actual responsibilities. The overall sentiment is one of caution and a desire for more information before considering the position.
Tabular, a YC S24 startup, is seeking a founding engineer to help build a collaborative spreadsheet tool designed for complex data analysis. They're looking for someone passionate about developer tools and spreadsheets with a strong understanding of front-end technologies like React, Typescript, and potentially Rust/WebAssembly. The ideal candidate enjoys fast-paced environments and collaborating closely within a small team to shape the product's direction. Experience with data visualization, collaborative editing, or spreadsheet software is a plus.
The Hacker News comments on the Tabular (YC S24) job posting are largely focused on the requested tech stack (TypeScript, React, and Node.js) and its perceived suitability for a data-intensive application. Several commenters question the choice of JavaScript for performance-critical backend tasks, expressing concern about potential bottlenecks and advocating for languages like Rust, Go, or Python with optimized data science libraries. Others defend the choice, citing the large existing ecosystem and ease of rapid prototyping. A few commenters also note the broadness of the "founding engineer" role and discuss the potential challenges and rewards of joining an early-stage startup. Several commenters express interest in the remote work aspect and the focus on tabular data interfaces. Finally, there's some skepticism about the actual innovation being pursued, with one commenter questioning whether the problem being addressed is truly significant.
InstantDB, a Y Combinator (S22) startup building a serverless, relational database designed for web developers, is seeking a founding TypeScript engineer. This role will be instrumental in shaping the product's future, requiring expertise in TypeScript, Node.js, and ideally, experience with databases like PostgreSQL. The engineer will contribute heavily to the core platform, API design, and overall developer experience. This is a fully remote, equity-heavy position offering the opportunity to join a small, passionate team at the ground floor and build something impactful.
Hacker News users discuss Instant's TypeScript engineer job posting, expressing skepticism about the "founding engineer" title for a role seemingly focused on building a dashboard. Several commenters question the startup's direction, suggesting the description sounds more like standard frontend work than a foundational technical role. Others debate the meaning and value of the "founding engineer" title itself, with some arguing it's overused and others pointing out the potential equity and impact associated with early-stage roles. A few commenters also discuss InstantDB's YC association and express mild interest in the role, though the majority seem unconvinced by the framing of the position.
Freshpaint, a Y Combinator S19 company specializing in customer data infrastructure, is hiring remote backend and frontend engineers based in the US. They are building a product that helps companies collect, manage, and activate their customer data, aiming to simplify the complex process of data integration. Experience with data-intensive applications and distributed systems is desired for backend roles, while frontend positions require proficiency in modern Javascript frameworks like React. The company emphasizes a fast-paced, collaborative environment and the opportunity to contribute significantly to a rapidly growing startup.
The comments on this Hacker News post are sparse and primarily focus on the "US only" hiring restriction. Several commenters express frustration or disappointment with this limitation, questioning the reasoning behind it and suggesting it unnecessarily limits the talent pool. One commenter speculates it might be due to legal or tax complexities. Another simply points out the lost opportunity to hire globally. There's no discussion of the company itself or the specific roles.
Tenjin, a mobile marketing attribution platform, is seeking a Senior Backend Engineer specializing in ad attribution. The role involves building and maintaining scalable, high-performance systems using Ruby and Go to process large datasets and accurately attribute mobile app installs to ad campaigns. This includes working on their core attribution logic, fraud detection, and reporting features. The ideal candidate has strong backend experience, particularly with Ruby and Go, and a deep understanding of ad tech and attribution.
HN commenters discuss Tenjin's tech stack choices, particularly using Ruby and Go together. Some question the combination, expressing concerns about Ruby's performance in a data-intensive ad attribution environment. Others defend the choice, suggesting Ruby might be used for less performance-critical tasks or that Tenjin might be transitioning to Go. A few commenters focus on the remote work aspect, viewing it positively. Some also note the competitive salary range. Overall, the discussion revolves around the suitability of Ruby and Go for ad attribution, remote work opportunities, and the advertised salary.
Infra.new is a DevOps platform designed to simplify infrastructure management. It offers a conversational interface (a "copilot") that allows users to describe their desired infrastructure in plain English, which the platform then translates into Terraform code. Crucially, Infra.new incorporates built-in guardrails and best practices to prevent common infrastructure misconfigurations and ensure security. This aims to make infrastructure provisioning and management more accessible and less error-prone, even for users with limited DevOps experience. The platform is currently in beta and focused on AWS.
HN users generally expressed interest in Infra.new, praising its focus on safety and guardrails, especially for preventing accidental cloud cost overruns. Several commenters compared it favorably to existing infrastructure-as-code tools like Terraform, highlighting its potential for simplifying deployments and reducing complexity. Some questioned the depth of its current feature set and integrations, while others sought clarification on the pricing model. A few users with cloud management experience offered specific suggestions for improvement, including better handling of state management and drift detection. Overall, the reception seemed positive, with many expressing a desire to try the product.
Magic Patterns is a new AI-powered design and prototyping tool aimed at product teams. It allows users to generate UI designs from text descriptions, modify existing designs with AI suggestions, and create interactive prototypes without code. The goal is to speed up the product development process by streamlining design and prototyping workflows, making it faster and easier to move from idea to testable product. The tool is currently in beta and accessible via waitlist.
Hacker News users discussed Magic Pattern's potential, expressing both excitement and skepticism. Some saw it as a valuable tool for rapidly generating design variations and streamlining the prototyping process, particularly for solo founders or small teams. Others questioned its long-term utility, wondering if it would truly replace designers or merely serve as another tool in their arsenal. Concerns were raised about the potential for homogenization of design and the limitations of AI in understanding nuanced design decisions. Some commenters drew parallels to other AI tools, debating whether Magic Patterns offered significant differentiation. Several users requested clarification on pricing and specific functionalities, demonstrating interest in practical application. A few expressed disappointment with the limited information available on the landing page and requested more concrete examples.
Tesorio, a cash flow performance platform, is seeking a remote Senior Backend Engineer in Latin America. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of experience, strong Python and Django skills, and experience with REST APIs and SQL databases. They will contribute to building and maintaining core backend systems, focusing on scalability, performance, and security. This role involves collaborating with other engineers, product managers, and designers to deliver high-quality software solutions for enterprise clients.
HN commenters discuss Tesorio's remote LatAm hiring strategy, with some expressing skepticism about the long-term viability of such arrangements due to potential communication difficulties and time zone differences. Others question the "LatAm" focus, wondering if it's driven by cost-saving measures rather than genuine regional interest. Conversely, several commenters applaud Tesorio's approach, highlighting the benefits of accessing a wider talent pool and promoting global work opportunities. Some commenters share personal experiences with similar remote setups, offering insights into both the advantages and challenges. A few also inquire about specific technologies used at Tesorio.
Jasmine is a Y Combinator-backed startup aiming to automate Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) compliance and payouts for solar projects. They handle the complex process of registering, tracking, and monetizing RECs, simplifying revenue generation for solar developers and asset owners. This automation reduces administrative overhead and ensures projects capitalize on the full value of their renewable energy generation.
Hacker News users discuss Jasmine's potential, focusing on the complexity of Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) markets. Some express skepticism about automating such a nuanced process, citing variations in state regulations and the potential for fraud. Others see value in streamlining REC management, particularly for smaller solar installers. Several commenters inquire about Jasmine's pricing model and integration with existing solar software. The discussion also touches on the challenges of accurately tracking REC ownership and the importance of transparency in the market. A few users with experience in the solar industry offer insights into the specific pain points Jasmine aims to address, validating the need for such a solution.
Streak, a CRM built inside Gmail, is hiring Staff UI Engineers to build performant and scalable front-end features. They're seeking experienced engineers proficient in JavaScript/TypeScript, React, and state management solutions like Redux or MobX. The ideal candidate will architect and implement complex UI components, improve performance, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to the evolution of Streak's front-end architecture. This role emphasizes building a "local-first" user experience, ensuring responsiveness and reliability even with limited internet connectivity.
HN commenters discuss Streak's unusual tech stack (using Gmail as the frontend) and the potential challenges and benefits that come with it. Some express interest in the unique engineering problems, while others raise concerns about performance, scalability, and the reliance on a third-party platform. The "local-first" approach is questioned, with several commenters pointing out that data still resides primarily on Google's servers. There's also discussion about the compensation package, with some suggesting it's below market rate for senior engineers, particularly in high-cost areas. Finally, a few commenters share personal experiences with Streak, both positive and negative, regarding its functionality and usability.
Typewise, a YC S22 startup developing an AI-powered keyboard focused on text prediction and correction, is hiring a Machine Learning Engineer in Zurich, Switzerland. The ideal candidate has experience in NLP, deep learning, and large language models, and will contribute to improving the keyboard's prediction accuracy and performance. Responsibilities include developing and training new models, optimizing existing ones, and working with large datasets. Experience with TensorFlow, PyTorch, or similar frameworks is desired, along with a passion for building innovative products that improve user experience.
HN commenters discuss the listed salary range (120-180k CHF) for the ML Engineer position at Typewise, with several noting it seems low for Zurich's high cost of living, especially compared to US tech salaries. Some suggest the range might be intended to attract less experienced candidates. Others express interest in the company's mission of improving typing accuracy and privacy, but question the technical challenge and long-term market viability of a swipe-based keyboard. A few commenters also mention the potential difficulty of obtaining a Swiss work permit.
Artie, a YC S23 startup building AI-powered tools for game developers, is seeking a Founding Product Engineer (#3). This role will be instrumental in shaping the core product, designing and building user interfaces, and implementing integrations with game engines like Unity and Unreal. The ideal candidate possesses strong frontend skills (React, Typescript), experience with 3D graphics or game development, and a passion for building tools that empower creators. This is a high-impact opportunity to join an early-stage team and contribute to the future of game development.
Hacker News users discussed the Artie job posting, focusing on the requested experience level for a "founding engineer." Many felt the requirements, including experience with scaling systems and leading teams, were excessive for a third engineer at an early-stage startup. Some argued that such demands indicate a lack of understanding about early-stage company needs, where adaptability and rapid development are often more valuable than scaling expertise. Others suggested the company might be looking for a more senior "lead engineer" disguised as a founding engineer, possibly due to funding levels or founder background. The high salary offered ($200k-$300k) was also mentioned, with some believing it reflected the demanding requirements, while others considered it potentially inflated for the stage of the company. A few commenters also discussed Artie's product itself, an AI-powered writing assistant, expressing skepticism about its differentiation in a competitive market.
Arroyo, a serverless stream processing platform built for developers and recently graduated from Y Combinator's Winter 2023 batch, has been acquired by Cloudflare. The Arroyo team will be joining Cloudflare's Workers team to integrate Arroyo's technology and further develop Cloudflare's stream processing capabilities. They believe this partnership will allow them to scale Arroyo to a much larger audience and accelerate their roadmap, ultimately delivering a more robust and accessible stream processing solution.
HN commenters generally expressed positive sentiment towards the acquisition, seeing it as a good outcome for Arroyo and a smart move by Cloudflare. Some praised Arroyo's stream processing approach as innovative and well-suited to Cloudflare's Workers platform, predicting it would enhance Cloudflare's serverless capabilities. A few questioned the wisdom of selling so early, especially given Arroyo's apparent early success, suggesting they could have achieved greater independence and potential value. Others discussed the implications for the stream processing landscape and potential competition with existing players like Kafka and Flink. Several users shared personal anecdotes about their positive experiences with Cloudflare Workers and expressed excitement about the possibilities this acquisition unlocks. Some also highlighted the acquisition's potential to democratize access to complex stream processing technology by making it more accessible and affordable through Cloudflare's platform.
Telli, a YC F24 startup building a collaborative knowledge-sharing platform akin to a shared second brain, is hiring founding engineers in Berlin, Germany. They're seeking individuals passionate about building intuitive and collaborative products using technologies like TypeScript, React, and Node.js. The ideal candidate is excited about early-stage startups, shaping product direction, and working directly with the founding team in a fast-paced, impactful environment. Relocation support is available.
HN commenters express skepticism about the viability of Telli's business model, questioning the market demand for another note-taking app, especially one focused on engineers. Several commenters point out the crowded nature of this market segment and suggest the need for a strong differentiator beyond what's described in the linked hiring page. Some also raise concerns about the emphasis on on-site work in Berlin, potentially limiting the applicant pool. Finally, a few commenters express confusion about Telli's value proposition and how it differs from existing tools like Notion or Obsidian. There is a general lack of enthusiasm and a sense that Telli needs to articulate its unique selling proposition more effectively to attract talent.
Extend (a YC W23 startup) is hiring engineers to build their LLM-powered document processing platform. They're looking for experienced full-stack and backend engineers proficient in Python and React to help develop core product features like data extraction, summarization, and search. The ideal candidate is excited about the potential of LLMs and eager to work in a fast-paced startup environment. Extend aims to streamline how businesses interact with documents, and they're offering competitive salary and equity for those who join their team.
Several Hacker News commenters express skepticism about the long-term viability of building a company around LLM-powered document processing, citing the rapid advancement of open-source LLMs and the potential for commoditization. Some suggest the focus should be on a very specific niche application to avoid direct competition with larger players. Other comments question the need for a dedicated tool, arguing existing solutions like GPT-4 might already be sufficient. A few commenters offer alternative application ideas, including leveraging LLMs for contract analysis or regulatory compliance. There's also a discussion around data privacy and security when processing sensitive documents with third-party tools.
Augento, a Y Combinator W25 startup, has launched a platform to simplify reinforcement learning (RL) for fine-tuning large language models (LLMs) acting as agents. It allows users to define rewards and train agents in various environments, such as web browsing, APIs, and databases, without needing RL expertise. The platform offers a visual interface for designing reward functions, monitoring agent training, and debugging. Augento aims to make building and deploying sophisticated, goal-oriented agents more accessible by abstracting away the complexities of RL.
The Hacker News comments discuss Augento's approach to RLHF (Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback), expressing skepticism about its practicality and scalability. Several commenters question the reliance on GPT-4 for generating rewards, citing cost and potential bias as concerns. The lack of open-source components and proprietary data collection methods are also points of contention. Some see potential in the idea, but doubt the current implementation's viability compared to established RLHF methods. The heavy reliance on external APIs raises doubts about the platform's genuine capabilities and true value proposition. Several users ask for clarification on specific technical aspects, highlighting a desire for more transparency.
Wondercraft AI, a Y Combinator-backed startup, is hiring engineers and a designer to build their AI-powered podcasting tool. They're looking for experienced individuals passionate about audio and AI, specifically those proficient in Python (backend/ML), React (frontend), and design tools like Figma. Wondercraft aims to simplify podcast creation, allowing users to generate podcasts from blog posts or other text-based content. They offer competitive salaries and equity, remote work flexibility, and the chance to contribute to an innovative product in a growing market.
The Hacker News comments on the Wondercraft (YC S22) hiring post are few and primarily focus on the company itself rather than the job postings. Some users express skepticism about the long-term viability of AI-generated podcasts, questioning the potential for genuine audience engagement and the perceived value compared to human-created content. Others mention previous AI voice generation projects and speculate about the specific technology Wondercraft is using. There's a brief discussion about the limitations of current AI in replicating natural speech patterns and the potential for improvement in the future. Overall, the comments reflect a cautious curiosity about the platform and its potential impact on podcasting.
Spice Data, a Y Combinator-backed startup, is seeking a software engineer to build their AI-powered contract analysis platform. The ideal candidate is proficient in Python and JavaScript, comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment, and passionate about leveraging large language models (LLMs) to extract insights from complex legal documents. Experience with natural language processing (NLP), information retrieval, or machine learning is a plus. This role offers the opportunity to significantly impact the product's direction and contribute to a rapidly growing company transforming how businesses understand and manage contracts.
HN commenters discuss the unusual job posting from Spice Data (YC S19). Several find the required skill of "writing C code like it's 1974" intriguing, debating whether this implies foregoing modern C practices or simply emphasizes a focus on efficiency and close-to-the-metal programming. Some question the practicality and long-term maintainability of such an approach. Others express skepticism about the company's claim of requiring "PhD-level CS knowledge" for seemingly standard software engineering tasks. The compensation, while unspecified, is a point of speculation, with commenters hoping it justifies the apparently demanding requirements. Finally, the company's unusual name and purported focus on satellite data also draw some lighthearted remarks.
Revyl, a Y Combinator-backed startup (F24) building a platform for interactive learning experiences, is seeking a Front-End Engineer Intern. The ideal candidate has experience with React, JavaScript, and TypeScript, and a passion for building user-friendly interfaces. Responsibilities include developing and maintaining Revyl's web application, collaborating with the engineering team, and contributing to the platform's growth and evolution. This is a paid, remote position offering valuable experience in a fast-paced startup environment.
Hacker News users discuss the Revyl internship posting, primarily focusing on the low offered compensation ($10/hr) for a YC-backed company. Many commenters express disbelief and concern that such a low rate undervalues the intern's work, especially given the expected skills and the association with Y Combinator. Some suggest that this rate may be a typo or misinterpretation, while others speculate about the potential reasons, including exploiting international interns or simply poor budgeting. A few commenters mention their own higher internship earnings, further highlighting the perceived inadequacy of Revyl's offer. The overall sentiment leans towards criticism of the low pay, questioning the company's priorities and treatment of interns.
Continue is a new tool (YC S23) that lets developers create custom AI code assistants tailored to their specific projects and workflows. These assistants can answer questions based on the project’s codebase, write different kinds of code, execute commands, and perform other automated tasks. Users define the assistant's abilities by connecting it to tools like language models (e.g., GPT-4) and APIs, configuring it with prompts and example interactions, and giving it access to relevant files. This enables developers to automate repetitive tasks, enhance code understanding, and boost overall productivity.
HN commenters generally expressed excitement about Continue, particularly its potential for code generation, debugging, and integration with existing tools. Several praised the slick UI/UX and the speed of the tool. Some raised concerns about vendor lock-in and the proprietary nature of the platform, preferring open-source alternatives. There was also discussion around its capabilities compared to GitHub Copilot, with some suggesting Continue offered a more tailored and interactive experience, while others highlighted Copilot's larger training data and established ecosystem. A few commenters requested features like support for more languages and integrations with specific IDEs. Several people inquired about pricing and self-hosting options, indicating strong interest in using Continue for personal projects.
Weave, a YC W25 startup, is seeking a founding product engineer to build the future of online reading. They're developing a collaborative reading platform to facilitate deeper understanding and engagement with complex topics. This role involves designing and building core product features, directly impacting the user experience. Ideal candidates are strong full-stack engineers with a passion for online communities, education, or productivity. Experience with TypeScript/React is preferred, but a proven ability to learn quickly is paramount.
Several commenters on Hacker News expressed skepticism about the extremely broad job description for a founding product engineer at Weave, finding the listed requirements of "full-stack," AI/ML, distributed systems, and mobile development excessive for a single role. Some questioned the feasibility of finding someone proficient in all those areas and suggested the company hadn't properly defined its product vision. Others pointed out the low salary range ($120k-$180k) for such a demanding role, particularly in a competitive market like San Francisco, speculating that it might indicate a lack of funding or unrealistic expectations. A few commenters defended the breadth, suggesting it's common for early-stage startups to require versatility, and emphasizing the learning opportunities inherent in such a role. There was also a brief discussion on the use of AI/ML, with some questioning its necessity at this stage.
Langfuse, a Y Combinator-backed startup (W23) building observability tools for LLM applications, is hiring in Berlin, Germany. They're seeking engineers across various levels, including frontend, backend, and full-stack, to help develop their platform for tracing, debugging, and analyzing LLM interactions. Langfuse emphasizes a collaborative, fast-paced environment where engineers can significantly impact a rapidly growing product in the burgeoning field of generative AI. They offer competitive salaries and benefits, with a strong focus on learning and professional growth.
Hacker News users discussed Langfuse's Berlin hiring push with a mix of skepticism and interest. Several commenters questioned the company's choice of Berlin, citing high taxes and bureaucratic hurdles. Others debated the appeal of developer tooling startups, with some expressing concern about the long-term viability of the market. A few commenters offered positive perspectives, highlighting Berlin's strong tech talent pool and the potential of Langfuse's product. Some users also discussed the specifics of the roles and company culture, seeking more information about remote work possibilities and the overall work environment. Overall, the discussion reflects the complex considerations surrounding startup hiring in a competitive market.
Summary of Comments ( 0 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44117465
Hacker News users discussed MindFort's approach to continuous penetration testing, expressing both interest and skepticism. Some questioned the efficacy of AI-driven pentesting, highlighting the importance of human intuition and creativity in finding vulnerabilities. Others were concerned about the potential for false positives and the difficulty of interpreting results generated by AI. Conversely, several commenters saw the value in automating repetitive tasks and increasing the frequency of testing, allowing human pentesters to focus on more complex issues. The discussion also touched upon the ethical implications and potential for misuse of such a tool, and the need for responsible disclosure practices. Some users inquired about pricing and specific capabilities, demonstrating a practical interest in the product. Finally, a few comments suggested alternative approaches and open-source tools for penetration testing.
The Hacker News post for Launch HN: MindFort (YC X25) – AI agents for continuous pentesting has generated several comments, offering a mix of skepticism, curiosity, and practical considerations about the application of AI in penetration testing.
A recurring theme is the questioning of how "AI agents" are practically employed in pentesting beyond simply automating existing tools. Commenters express doubt that current AI capabilities can genuinely discover novel vulnerabilities or navigate complex attack scenarios requiring human intuition and adaptability. Some suggest the AI's role is likely limited to handling repetitive tasks like vulnerability scanning or fuzzing, which are already automated by existing tools. They are eager to see concrete examples of the AI agent finding vulnerabilities that traditional methods would miss.
Several commenters raise concerns about the potential for misuse of such a tool. They point out the risk of malicious actors leveraging similar AI agents for offensive purposes, making the overall security landscape more precarious. The discussion touches on the ethical implications and the need for responsible development and deployment of AI-powered pentesting tools.
Some comments delve into the technical aspects, questioning the ability of AI agents to handle the dynamic nature of modern web applications, especially those incorporating complex JavaScript frameworks and anti-automation measures. The challenge of mimicking real-world user behavior and understanding the nuances of different application contexts is highlighted.
There's also a thread discussing the legal gray areas surrounding automated pentesting, particularly regarding the potential for unintentional damage or unauthorized access. Commenters raise the need for clear guidelines and regulations to govern the use of AI-driven pentesting tools.
A few comments express interest in specific features, such as integrations with existing security workflows, reporting capabilities, and the ability to customize the AI agent's behavior.
Finally, some users share their personal experiences with other automated pentesting tools, offering comparisons and highlighting the limitations they've encountered. They emphasize the importance of human oversight and the need for AI agents to augment, rather than replace, human expertise in penetration testing. Overall, the comments reflect a cautious optimism tempered by realistic concerns about the current capabilities and potential implications of AI in the field of cybersecurity.