Comments and Likes System

This blog uses a free Google Apps Script + Google Sheets backend for post comments and likes.

Files in this repo

• Google Apps Script backend
• Post include
• Frontend JavaScript
• Frontend CSS
• Post layout hook

One-time setup

1. Create a Google Sheet with tabs named comments, likes, and optionally summary.
2. Open Apps Script from the Sheet or a standalone project.
3. Paste the contents of scripts/comments-webapp.gs into the Apps Script editor.
4. Set Script Properties:
   • SPREADSHEET_ID = your Google Sheet ID
   • LIKES_SALT = any long random string
5. Deploy as a web app:
   • Execute as: Me
   • Who has access: Anyone
6. Copy the web app URL into _config.yml under comments_api_url.

Moderation

• New comments are inserted as pending.
• Approve or reject comments directly in the Google Sheet by changing status to approved or spam.
• The frontend only displays approved comments.

Notes

• The frontend uses simple GET and form-encoded POST requests to avoid unnecessary CORS preflight.
• If Google changes web app behavior, keep the GET endpoints for reads and form-encoded POST for writes.
• The summary tab is optional; the Apps Script can rebuild it on demand or via a daily trigger.