I can't imagine using HN's default client, some people like it but it's not me. I'm using my custom built PWA app which I'm the only one user of and currently I'm not inclined to open it to public, maintain etc. I would't browse HN as often as I do without https://hacker-news.firebaseio.com/v0/topstories.json and other endpoints for free in my app.
I've been thinking about this problem a lot recently and feels like decentralized easy-to-clone system is needed. Everything what's been said about Reddit applies to HN as well.