Try it here: https://crossword-creator.com
Why?
A few years back I got into crosswords and created an android app for solving them, to create content though I had to make my own puzzles. Existing tools were either too basic or required desktop software, so I slowly built a workflow in the browser. With a bit of Claude's help, I decided to move the whole process to a frontend app and share it with others.
Who is this for?
Anyone who wants to create custom crossword puzzles easily in the browser, whether for personal use, educational purposes, or publishing. It is a nice exercise to do in school, or to create themed puzzles for events (birthdays, holidays, etc).
Key features: - Fully client-side: No backend, all processing in-browser, privacy-friendly - 4-step workflow: Construct grid pattern → Fill with words → Add clues → Generate PDF - Smart word suggestions: Solver algorithm running in Web Worker - Multiple dictionaries: English, Polish, French + support for custom word lists - Keyboard shortcuts: Full keyboard navigation for speed - Auto-save: Your work is saved as you go - Export options: Generate PDFs for printing
Technical highlights: - Advanced backtracking constraint satisfaction solver with forward checking - Most constrained variable heuristic for efficient solving - Web Workers prevent UI blocking during computation - Command pattern with undo/redo functionality - Built with React + TypeScript + Vite
Current status: Fully functional and deployed. Working on adding better dictionary filtering to support themes.
Would love feedback from the HN community! What features would you want to see in a crossword creator?