Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Annoyance of Manual Swiping on TikTok
3. Exploring TikTok's Algorithm and APIs
4. The Journey to Rebuilding the TikTok Interface
5. Redesigning the Desktop Version of TikTok
6. Implementing the Front-End with React
7. The Challenge of Autoscrolling
8. Discovering the Scroll Snap CSS Property
9. Handling Video Autoplay and Scroll Events
10. Building the Back-End with Node.js
11. Hosting the TikTok Clone on gcore
12. Conclusion
Introduction
In this article, we will delve into the world of TikTok and explore a common annoyance faced by users - the lack of an autoscroll feature. We will discuss the journey of a developer who took it upon themselves to solve this problem and create their own version of TikTok with improved features. From understanding TikTok's algorithm to redesigning the interface and implementing autoscrolling, we will cover it all. So, let's dive in and discover how this developer tackled the challenge!
The Annoyance of Manual Swiping on TikTok
Have you ever found it frustrating to manually swipe through videos on TikTok? The need to constantly swipe to move from one video to another can be quite annoying, especially when you have other tasks at hand or your hands are not available. Many users have expressed their desire for an autoscroll feature within the TikTok app, but unfortunately, no such setting exists. This led our developer to embark on a mission to create this much-needed feature themselves.
Exploring TikTok's Algorithm and APIs
Before diving into the development process, our developer decided to conduct some research on TikTok's algorithm and explore the available APIs. By understanding how TikTok's algorithm works and accessing the APIs, they hoped to find a way to implement autoscrolling without rebuilding the entire app. However, they soon discovered that TikTok's APIs were heavily restricted, making it challenging to access the necessary video URLs.
The Journey to Rebuilding the TikTok Interface
With limited options available, our developer made the bold decision to rebuild the entire TikTok interface from scratch. This involved redesigning both the front-end and back-end components to create a seamless user experience. They started by mapping out the design using Figma, ensuring that the new interface maintained the same aesthetic as the mobile version while optimizing the desktop layout for better utilization of space.
Redesigning the Desktop Version of TikTok
The desktop version of TikTok often falls short in terms of design and functionality compared to its mobile counterpart. Our developer recognized this and took the opportunity to revamp the desktop interface. By reversing the design aesthetic and repositioning elements, they created a more visually appealing and user-friendly desktop version. Additionally, they explored the possibility of incorporating landscape mode for videos, encouraging users to experiment with different video orientations.
Implementing the Front-End with React
To bring their redesigned TikTok interface to life, our developer chose to use React, a popular JavaScript library known for its component-based structure. They leveraged Create React App to streamline the development process and utilized the power of styled components for easy CSS integration and reusability. By breaking down the content into small components, they ensured a modular and efficient codebase.
The Challenge of Autoscrolling
Now came the most challenging part of the project - implementing autoscrolling. Our developer faced the daunting task of finding a solution that would seamlessly scroll to the next video after one finishes playing. After extensive research and experimentation, they stumbled upon a CSS property called scroll snap. This property allowed them to achieve the desired autoscrolling effect, automatically snapping the scrolling position to the next
