Show HN: Refine – A Local Alternative to Grammarly

I built a symbolic dream interpretation engine that runs fully in the browser no AI, no backend, no cloud. Just vanilla JavaScript and a hand-mapped keyword system. It scans dream text, matches symbolic keywords to over 300 custom meanings, using deterministic logic. All data stays in localStorage no tracking, no server. Try it here: https://dino-nuggies45.github.io/Dream-Interpreter/

Built to explore subconscious patterns and emotional systems without machine learning. Feedback welcome!

Comments

codingWithJess•11h ago

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this feels less like software and more like an artifact. I typed in a half-remembered dream about a broken clock in an empty hallway, and the interpretation hit something oddly personal it framed it around time lost and internal silence. I get that it’s just symbol matching, but the presentation and restraint (no AI, no server) make it feel intentional, almost ritualistic. I’d love to peek into the actual logic engine, is it weighted strictly by keyword presence, or is there deeper tone handling involved?

DinoNuggies456•10h ago

That’s such a poetic way to describe it “an artifact” is exactly what I was going for. And yes: while it starts as pure keyword detection, there's a layered tone system underneath. There’s no NLP or AI behind it, but the combinatoric effects sometimes feel alive. I’m working on ways to make the logic more transparent without breaking the mystique maybe a toggle that reveals the symbolic parse tree? Appreciate you giving it a real test! :D

frenchGuy1•10h ago

I’m new to coding and just made an HN account to explore projects hoping to make my own soon. This was actually the first one I clicked on! I typed something I had on my mind and it gave me an interpretation! I don’t totally understand how it works technically, but the idea that this was built without AI, just with logic and words, makes me want to learn how to code stuff like this. Thanks for making it!

DinoNuggies456•10h ago

This means a lot, thank you so much for sharing. I wanted this project to feel like a quiet tool you could stumble into and feel something from, even without a technical background. The fact that it inspired you to want to build things is honestly the best outcome I could ask for. The entire thing is built in plain JavaScript, so if you ever want to peek under the hood or try making your own symbolic engine, I’d be happy to share how it works. Welcome to HN and to coding!