How we make our hints
Our goal is simple: hints that help without spoiling, and answers that are always correct. This page explains exactly how each page is put together, so you know what you are reading.
Who is responsible
Every page is published under the name of Shahab, who runs the site. He built the system described below, reads the daily review of each new puzzle and fixes anything that reads badly or gives too much away.
Where the answers come from
When a new puzzle is released, our system reads the puzzle data and checks it before anything goes live. The date and puzzle number must match, a Wordle answer must be five letters, Connections must have four groups of four different words, and Strands theme words plus the spangram must use all 48 letters of the board. If any check fails, the page is not updated and we get an alert to fix it by hand. The time shown under each page title is when that check passed.
How hints are made
- Letter hints such as the vowel count, repeated letters, first and last letter, the letter pattern and the spangram length are worked out by software straight from the answer, so they cannot be wrong.
- Word and theme hints, like the meaning of a Wordle answer or a nudge for a Connections group, are first drafted with an AI writing tool. Software then checks every draft: it must not contain the answer or any form of it, and it must avoid stock filler phrases. Drafts that fail are rewritten before publishing.
- Explanations of why each Connections word fits, and notes on unusual words, go through the same checks.
- Numbers on a page, such as how many words are left after an opener or how often a letter has started recent answers, are counted from our word list and puzzle archive, not estimated.
How a page is ordered
Every page goes from the least help to the most. Hints are labelled gentle, helpful or strong, and nothing opens until you choose it. Answers sit in a marked spoiler zone, and even there you can take one Strands word or one Connections word at a time instead of the full solution.
Your feedback
Each hint has small buttons asking whether it was too vague, about right or too much. Votes are counted anonymously through our analytics and tell us which kinds of hints need to be clearer or gentler. We do not store your name or link votes to you.
Corrections
If you spot a mistake, please tell us. Wrong answers are fixed the same day, and hints that give too much away are rewritten.
Independence
We are not affiliated with The New York Times and do not copy its puzzles or text. We describe answers and themes in our own words to help players who are stuck.