Directory Dash is a free browser mini-game in which you hop past ten invented startup directories, plant a flag on each to get "listed", and watch a scoreboard tally attempts, total time, backlinks, and ghosted submissions. It runs at directorydash.io on desktop and mobile browsers, and the page states outright that the directories are made up and nothing was actually submitted. The game is published as a lead-in to Blastra, a directory-submission service, and its results screen links out to blastra.io with campaign parameters.
What is Directory Dash?
Directory Dash is a single-level browser game about the tedium of getting a startup listed on launch directories. You press any key (or tap) to jump, pass each directory's flag to be listed, and the page tallies attempts, elapsed time, backlinks out of five, and ghosted submissions as you go. It runs entirely in a desktop or mobile browser at directorydash.io, and the copy is explicit that the directories are fictional and no submission is real. The game is published by Blastra, whose paid submission tool is promoted on the result screen.
How does Directory Dash work?
Each run is controlled by one input: click, tap, or press any key to jump, and hold to keep jumping, landing past a directory's flag to be "listed". Flags double as checkpoints, so a failed jump sends you back to the last one; a top-right toggle or the P key turns checkpoints off for the harder version, where every rejection restarts the run from zero. After the first rejection you can give up instead of continuing, and the run ends on a results screen with Post on X, Post on LinkedIn, and Copy results actions.
What makes Directory Dash stand out?
- Ten fictional directories — the header reads "Listed on 10 directories" while the page admits the directories are made up and nothing was actually submitted.
- Scoreboard tied to real directory pain — it tracks attempts, total time in minutes and seconds, backlinks out of five, and ghosted submissions.
- Two difficulty modes — flags act as checkpoints by default; press P or use the top-right control to disable them so a single rejection zeroes the run.
- Give-up button — after the first rejection the game offers a give-up option that shares your failure rather than continuing.
- One-input control — click, tap, or any key jumps; holding keeps jumping, so it works on keyboard and touch alike.
- Mobile orientation hint — a prompt tells phone players to turn the screen sideways to see further ahead.
- Shareable results — the end screen generates a post for X, a post for LinkedIn, and a copy-to-clipboard results action.
- Blastra funnel — the results page links to blastra.io with UTM parameters, and an email field promises notice when Level 2 ships.
Who should use Directory Dash?
- Founders who have done launch-directory submissions: the jokes about backlinks and ghosted submissions land hardest for anyone who has filled out those forms.
- Indie hackers between tasks: a run is short, keyboard-only, and scores itself in attempts and seconds.
- Marketers evaluating Blastra: the result screen is the entry point to the paid submission service the game advertises.
Use cases
- Indie founders: take a quick break, then compare your backlinks-out-of-five score with friends using the copy-results button.
- Social posters: push the generated X or LinkedIn result straight to a feed as a joke about directory grinding.
- Tool researchers: follow the Blastra link on the result page to see what the paid submission product does, without submitting anything yourself.
FAQ
Is Directory Dash free?
Yes. It runs in the browser at directorydash.io with no account, download, or payment required, and the page states that the directories and submissions in the game are fictional.
Does Directory Dash actually submit my startup to directories?
No. The page says plainly that the directories are made up and nothing was actually submitted. It is a game that uses the language of directory submissions for humor, not a submission tool.
What happens when I get rejected in the game?
With checkpoints on, a rejection sends you back to the last flag; with checkpoints off, every rejection restarts the run from zero. After your first rejection a give-up option appears.
Can I play it on a phone?
Yes, tapping jumps, and the page suggests turning the phone sideways to see further ahead. The game is a browser page, so no app install is involved.
Is there a Level 2?
The site lists Level 2 as in review and offers an email signup to be notified when it ships, with the line "Rejection guaranteed."
