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Show HN: ShadowCat – file transfer through QR Codes in a Browser

read original get QR Code File Transfer Kit → more articles
Why This Matters

ShadowCat introduces a novel offline file transfer method using QR codes within a browser, enabling data exchange between devices without relying on radio communications like Bluetooth or NFC. This approach is especially valuable for older phones with limited connectivity options, providing a simple and effective solution for data sharing. Its lightweight, browser-based design makes it accessible and easy to deploy across various devices, enhancing connectivity in constrained environments.

Key Takeaways

ShadowCat

A fully offline, single-file HTML page for moving data between two devices via QR codes — intended for old phones whose radios (BLE, NFC, etc.) arevdead but whose cameras and browsers still work.

Tabs

Generate — encode text into a single QR code.

— encode text into a single QR code. Scan — decode a single QR via the camera.

— decode a single QR via the camera. Send file — pick a file, choose chunk size / FPS / ECC, hit Start. Cycles through [header, chunk1…chunkN] forever at the chosen FPS. Pause / Resume / Stop.

— pick a file, choose chunk size / FPS / ECC, hit Start. Cycles through forever at the chosen FPS. Pause / Resume / Stop. Start from — begin the loop at a chosen frame index; it then continues forward and wraps back to the header normally.

— begin the loop at a chosen frame index; it then continues forward and wraps back to the header normally. Show frame + Show / − / + — display exactly one frame static, for resending a specific missing chunk. The number matches the chunk index shown in the receiver's missing-chunks grid (0 = header).

+ / / — display exactly one frame static, for resending a specific missing chunk. The number matches the chunk index shown in the receiver's missing-chunks grid (0 = header). Receive file — start the camera and point at the sender. Header autodetects, progress bar fills in, missing-chunks grid shows which ones haven't arrived yet. When complete, the file's CRC is verified and a Download button appears.

Protocol

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