Challenge: Can I build a Minimal Twitter Clone in 2hrs?

Two weeks ago I decided to create a Twitter-inspired WordPress theme. It was a fun exercise.

Nobody is going to buy the product—at least I don't think so. But it was fun to make.

Then last week I had an idea... could I use that theme and a handful of basic WordPress plugins to create a minimal version of Twitter?

Well, turns out I could. Took me all of 2hrs. 👉 https://post.dustn.co

The basic functionality was accomplished with:

1. Tweet theme
2. Ninja Forms (free)
3. Ninja Forms Post Creation
4. Ninja Forms User Management
5. If Menu (free)

And that's it. I had a basic twitter-like site that allowed anyone to signup, and start posting 280-character posts.

Since then I've spent a few days adding fun things such as:

• Markdown support (using the WP Githuber MD plugin)
• Like/Love function (using the Favorites plugin)
• Floating post creation button (using the WPFomify plugin)
• Automatic hashtag, @mention, and $cashtag detection/linking (using the Hashtagger plugin)
• Verified Status (using the User Role Editor plugin + some PHP to add a CSS class based on user roles)

I don't really have any intent on creating a full-on social platform. This is just for fun. And creating it brought me a lot of joy.

Although it does have me wondering how far I could push the concept into a possible community destination. Wouldn't be hard to turn into something monetizable.

It's fun, no-pressure projects like this though that help keep me sane.