Show HN: I created a tool to design and create foamcore inserts for boardgames

#1

Post by Rabidgremlin » Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 1:00 AM UTC

As a holiday project to test out spec first development using Codex CLI, I ended up creating https://boxinsertdesigner.com/

It lets you design a box insert in 2D and spits out a cutting list.

I'm looking for feedback, bugs, feature ideas etc and figured this would be a good place to find it :)

Show HN: I created a tool to design and create foamcore inserts for boardgames
boxinsertdesigner.com

Re: Show HN: I created a tool to design and create foamcore inserts for boardgames

#2

Post by sokoloff » Thu, Jan 01, 2026, 1:40 PM UTC

A sample (or a small portfolio of sample) images would help people grasp what this does. Or a sample project.

(It’s not like it’s super-complicated, but people like pictures.)

Re: Show HN: I created a tool to design and create foamcore inserts for boardgames

#3

Post by stavros » Thu, Jan 01, 2026, 1:44 PM UTC

This looks nice! Why don't the dividers snap to the closest edge automatically? Feels like that's a lot of manual labor that could just be done automatically.

Is there a way to output an SVG? I'd love to send this to my laser or CNC cutter and have it cut automatically.

Re: Show HN: I created a tool to design and create foamcore inserts for boardgames

#4

Post by duttish » Thu, Jan 01, 2026, 2:15 PM UTC

You could let people post public inserts for specific games, start building up a library.

Re: Show HN: I created a tool to design and create foamcore inserts for boardgames

#5

Post by traverseda » Thu, Jan 01, 2026, 3:18 PM UTC

Lots of suggestions already, my only suggestion is that it would be nice if this could generate tabs and slots. I'm more likely to laser cut or 3D print inserts, so a tab and slot would make assembly easier.

Well that and to generate STL files for 3D printing.

Re: Show HN: I created a tool to design and create foamcore inserts for boardgames

#6

Post by hamburglar » Thu, Jan 01, 2026, 3:59 PM UTC

sokoloff wrote: post #2

A sample (or a small portfolio of sample) images would help people grasp what this does. Or a sample project. (It’s not like it’s super-complicated , but people like pictures.)

Definitely needs a landing page with samples because I can’t figure out what this is and I’m on a phone and really the only information I’m presented with is that it kinda doesn’t work on a phone.

Re: Show HN: I created a tool to design and create foamcore inserts for boardgames

#7

Post by throwoutway » Thu, Jan 01, 2026, 4:00 PM UTC

I didn't know what foamcore inserts were until now, bu tthis is useful. I have lots of broken boardgame boxes

Re: Show HN: I created a tool to design and create foamcore inserts for boardgames

#8

Post by awithrow » Thu, Jan 01, 2026, 4:10 PM UTC

It'd be great to have some preset box sizes for some common games and maybe some pre-done layouts. Now that I'm thinking about it, some game elements would be handy to build around, ie a deck of cards or similar.

Re: Show HN: I created a tool to design and create foamcore inserts for boardgames

#9

Post by RyanOD » Thu, Jan 01, 2026, 4:37 PM UTC

duttish wrote: post #4

You could let people post public inserts for specific games, start building up a library.

Yes to this.

Why should more than one person create a layout for Risk, for example? Start storing these in a library, bearing in mind that most games have multiple releases with their own specs. Think of a site like Thingiverse.

Re: Show HN: I created a tool to design and create foamcore inserts for boardgames

#10

Post by dbrother » Thu, Jan 01, 2026, 5:02 PM UTC

throwoutway wrote: post #7

I didn't know what foamcore inserts were until now, bu tthis is useful. I have lots of broken boardgame boxes

Same here, its pretty cool!