Textcaster is a web-based platform that enables users to post updates and follow others in a timeline format. The service allows guest browsing, and users can post or follow to receive an identity within the system. Registration is required to add feeds, and users have the option to change their handle in the settings page. Posts and replies appear in a timeline, with both local and remote identities interacting on the platform.
A notable technical feature is the firehose, which broadcasts every new post, edit, and like over a websocket as they happen. Documentation is available for this feature, including details on the address, wire format, and listener behavior, and there are demo applications for both Node and browser environments. This setup supports real-time updates and facilitates integration or extension by developers who wish to build on top of the platform.
The platform emphasizes openness and extensibility, with some users referencing the broader vision of the web as a space for small, loosely joined components.
Textcaster sits in PulseGate's Social networks & creators category. Enabling users to create and manage their own social timelines and feeds without relying on centralized platforms. It is built as a consumer product for independent publishers and social media users. Textcaster is available on the web, and it can be self-hosted.
Textcaster first shipped in 2026. Development happens publicly on GitHub with 20 stars and 24 commits in the last 90 days. Key capabilities include self-hosting, social timeline, and feed integration.
Latest indexed changes and source events
Show HN: Textcaster, a feeds-native social timeline you can self-host verified by the PulseGate indexer
Other apps tracked under the same category.
