HiCyou

About HiCyou

Yo, listen up! HiCyou is basically your new secret weapon for building a killer, smart directory without sweating the code. Think of it as the ultimate open-source flex for anyone tired of boring, static lists. It's a modern platform, built on the spicy new Next.js 14 and Tailwind, that uses AI to do all the heavy lifting. Got a bunch of SaaS tools, indie projects, or any cool sites you wanna showcase? Throw 'em in. HiCyou's AI will auto-magically sort them into the right categories and even generate content descriptions, so you don't have to. It's got built-in semantic search, meaning people can find exactly what they need using natural language, not just keywords. The best part? When users submit their own tools, HiCyou auto-verifies them with a backlink check, filtering out the spam so you get a clean, legit directory. It's fast, fully customizable, and you can self-host it for total control. Perfect for SaaS founders wanting to build a resource hub, developers creating a project showcase, or indie hackers launching a curated tool list. It's your directory, but on absolute brain steroids.

Features of HiCyou

AI-Powered Auto-Categorization & Content

Stop wasting hours manually tagging and describing every single entry. HiCyou's built-in AI brains analyze submitted websites and tools, instantly slapping them into the right categories (like Productivity, AI Agent, Development, etc.) and whipping up relevant content descriptions. This means your directory stays organized and informative from day one, with zero manual grunt work from you. It's like having a super-smart intern that never sleeps.

Built-in Semantic Search

Forget clunky keyword matching that never finds what you actually need. HiCyou comes with semantic search baked right in. This lets visitors discover tools by describing what they want in plain English, not just what they type. Looking for "an AI tool that makes thumbnails"? It'll understand and surface Thumbfa.st. It makes discovery stupidly intuitive and way more powerful than your average directory's search bar.

Backlink Verification for Submissions

This feature is a total spam-killer and time-saver. When someone submits their tool to your directory, HiCyou doesn't just blindly accept it. It automatically runs a check to see if the submitter's website has linked back to your directory (using your badge). If they have, the submission gets auto-verified and upgraded to a valuable "dofollow" link. This keeps your directory high-quality and rewards genuine contributors, all without you lifting a finger.

Modern, Fast & Fully Customizable Stack

Built with the cool kid's stack—Next.js 14, Tailwind CSS, and shadcn/ui—HiCyou is blazing fast and looks slick out of the box. But it's not just a pretty face. Because it's open-source and self-hostable, you have full control. Want to change the theme, add new fields, or integrate with your auth? Go for it. It's designed to be torn apart and rebuilt to fit your exact vibe, whether you're a dev or just someone who likes to tinker.

Use Cases of HiCyou

The SaaS Founder's Resource Hub

You're building in public and want to create a magnet for your niche. Use HiCyou to launch a curated directory of complementary tools and resources for your audience. It adds massive value, establishes you as a central hub, and the backlink system encourages other founders to share your site, boosting your SEO cred. It's community building and marketing on autopilot.

The Indie Hacker's Project Launchpad

Just shipped your awesome new no-code tool? Use HiCyou to spin up a sleek "Tools for Indie Hackers" directory in an afternoon. Submit your own tool, curate other gems you use, and share it with your network. It's a fantastic way to get exposure, give back to the community, and potentially get those sweet, sweet backlinks from other tools you feature.

The Developer's Tech Stack Showcase

Devs, this one's for you. Fork the repo and deploy your own personal directory of favorite libraries, frameworks, and dev tools. Customize it with your brand, write deep-dive reviews, and use the semantic search to make it a useful reference for yourself and your followers. It's a living, breathing portfolio piece that shows off your taste and technical skills.

The Niche Community Curator

Into AI agents, futuristic design tools, or specific productivity hacks? HiCyou lets you become the go-to source for that hyper-specific niche. The AI categorization keeps it tidy as it grows, and the clean, modern UI makes it a pleasure to browse. You build authority, help people discover amazing stuff, and create a dedicated community around a shared interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HiCyou really free to use?

Heck yes! HiCyou is fully open-source under the MIT license. You can download the code, self-host it on your own server, and use it for personal or commercial projects without paying a cent. The "pricing" is basically just your hosting costs. It's a proper gift to the community.

How does the backlink verification work?

It's a smooth, automated process. You add a small badge (code provided by HiCyou) to your website's footer. When someone submits their tool, our system crawls their site to see if they've displayed your badge/link. If they have, bam—their listing gets instantly verified and their link in your directory becomes a "dofollow" link, which is better for their SEO. No manual checks needed.

What tech stack do I need to host it myself?

You'll need a Node.js environment to run the Next.js application. It comes with everything else bundled—Tailwind for styling, Prisma for the database (works with PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc.). If you can deploy a standard Next.js app, you can deploy HiCyou. The docs are there to help you get it up and running on Vercel, Railway, or your own server.

Can I customize the categories and the look?

Absolutely, that's the whole point of it being open-source! The categories are defined in the code and can be easily modified. The UI is built with Tailwind and shadcn/ui components, making it super easy to change colors, fonts, and layouts. You can make it look like a corporate resource or a cyberpunk tool finder—it's entirely up to you.