Instagram Clone
Social network mini-app in vanilla JS with auth, feed and i18n.
Context
A case study on client-side authentication, routing and local persistence, replicating Instagram's core flows in a framework-free SPA.
The challenge
Implement signup/login with password hashing (SHA-256 via Web Crypto), persistent session, a custom hash router and PT-BR/EN internationalization without libraries.
Role and responsibilities
- Authentication with hashed passwords and persisted session
- Feed with stories, posts and interactions
- Custom hash router with private route protection
- Custom i18n for PT-BR and EN
Stack and architecture
HTML, CSS, pure JavaScript, Web Crypto API, LocalStorage.
Highlights
- Hash router written from scratch with private routes
- Passwords never stored in plain text
- Instant language switching across the whole UI
Takeaways
Understanding the full authentication cycle (even if simulated) and writing my own router changed how I evaluate off-the-shelf solutions: I know exactly which problems each layer solves.