Inspiration Traditional e-commerce is boring, while TikTok is addictive. We asked: "What if we combined the dopamine rush of doomscrolling with an online store?" We built a "Brainrot Shop"—a retail experience that satirizes modern attention spans by using aggressive engagement tactics and Gen Z humor to keep users scrolling.
What it does
- SkibidiShop is a vertical-scroll commerce platform mimicking the TikTok/Reels experience.
- Infinite Feed: A chaotic mix of purchasable clothing and viral "meme breaks."
- The "All-Seeing" Algorithm: It tracks implicit signals (how many seconds you stare at an item) and explicit signals (Likes/Dislikes) to determine if you prefer "drip" or "brainrot," tailoring the feed in real-time.
- Cyberpunk UI: A Glassmorphism aesthetic that looks like a floating phone on your desktop.
How we built it
- We built a Mobile-First Web App using Python & Flask.
- Backend: Flask with SQLite/SQLAlchemy. We engineered a Unified Item Table to handle polymorphic data (video URLs for memes, images for products) in a single feed.
- Frontend: We used CSS Scroll Snap for the native "flick" feel.
- Tracking: We implemented JS Intersection Observers to auto-play videos and track millisecond-level view duration, sending data to our backend ranking engine.
Challenges we ran into
- Database Schema: Migrating our database from separate tables (Memes vs. Products) to a unified architecture without losing data or breaking the "Like" system.
- Mixed Media Loop: Creating a seamless scroll experience that handles both auto-playing videos and static images dynamically in the same container.
- The Formula: Tuning the recommendation algorithm to balance user preference with enough randomness to prevent the feed from becoming stale.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
- Implicit Tracking: We successfully tracked View Duration, not just clicks. The app knows what you like just by how long you hesitate scrolling.
- Native Feel: Achieving a smooth, "app-like" experience in a web browser using pure CSS and zero heavy frontend frameworks.
- The Vibe: Capturing the chaotic "Brainrot" aesthetic perfectly while maintaining a functional, bug-free application.
What we learned
- Attention is Data: We learned how easily user attention spans can be quantified and used to manipulate a content feed.
- Full Stack Flow: We mastered the connection between frontend events (JS Observers) and backend logic (SQLAlchemy queries).
- CSS Power: We discovered that modern CSS (Scroll Snap, Backdrop Filter) is powerful enough to replicate native app UIs without React.
What's next for Scrolling shop
- Stripe Integration: Turning the "COP NOW" button into a real checkout flow.
- Global Trending: Implementing a "Viral Score" to push popular memes to every user regardless of preferences.
- AI Descriptions: Using an LLM to auto-generate slang-filled descriptions for clothing items.
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