Building a TikTok-Like Template: A1 Code Editor Tutorial

Last Updated: January 15, 2026

Table of Contents

🎯 Introduction

Have you ever wondered how TikTok’s dynamic feed and swipe-based video UI are built? Whether you’re a beginner web developer or learning app cloning for your portfolio, this tutorial will guide you step-by-step to build a TikTok-like template using HTML, CSS, and minimal JavaScript. By the end, you’ll have a working prototype to expand into a full app using frameworks like React Native or Flutter.

🔧 Why Build a TikTok Clone Template?

✅ Practice front-end and responsive design skills
✅ Understand vertical scroll and video autoplay logic
✅ Build portfolio projects that showcase trending app UI clones
✅ Prepare for freelance or internship projects

📝 Prerequisites

Before starting this TikTok-like template tutorial, ensure you have:

Basic understanding of HTML, CSS, JavaScript
A code editor (VS Code recommended)
Live Server extension (for real-time preview)
Sample video files (MP4 format) in your project folder

💻 Step 1. Setup Your Project Structure

Create a new folder named tiktok-clone-template and add the following files:

pgsqlCopyEdit/tiktok-clone-template
  ├── index.html
  ├── style.css
  └── script.js
  └── videos/
        ├── video1.mp4
        ├── video2.mp4
        └── video3.mp4

🗂️ Step 2. HTML Structure (index.html)

Here is your base HTML code:

 <!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8" />
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
  <title>TikTok Clone UI</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css" />
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/6.4.0/css/all.min.css" />
</head>
<body>

  <!-- Top bar -->
  <header>
    <h1>TikTok</h1>
    <div class="header-icons">
      <i class="fas fa-search"></i>
    </div>
  </header>

  <!-- Video Feed -->
  <div class="video-feed">
    <div class="video-container">
      <video src="videos/video1.mp4" class="video" muted loop></video>
      <div class="overlay">
        <div class="info">
          <h4>@user1</h4>
          <p>Beautiful travel vlog #travel #life</p>
        </div>
        <div class="actions">
          <img src="profile1.jpg" class="profile-pic" />
          <i class="fas fa-heart"></i>
          <i class="fas fa-comment"></i>
          <i class="fas fa-share"></i>
          <i class="fas fa-ellipsis-h"></i>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>

    <div class="video-container">
      <video src="videos/video2.mp4" class="video" muted loop></video>
      <div class="overlay">
        <div class="info">
          <h4>@user2</h4>
          <p>Amazing dance moves! #dance #fun</p>
        </div>
        <div class="actions">
          <img src="profile2.jpg" class="profile-pic" />
          <i class="fas fa-heart"></i>
          <i class="fas fa-comment"></i>
          <i class="fas fa-share"></i>
          <i class="fas fa-ellipsis-h"></i>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>

  <!-- Bottom navigation bar -->
  <nav>
    <i class="fas fa-home"></i>
    <i class="fas fa-search"></i>
    <i class="fas fa-plus-square"></i>
    <i class="fas fa-inbox"></i>
    <i class="fas fa-user"></i>
  </nav>

  <script src="script.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

🎨 Step 3. Styling (style.css)

This CSS will make your videos full-screen with swipe-like vertical scroll:

body, html {
  margin: 0;
  padding: 0;
  height: 100%;
  overflow-y: scroll;
  background: #000;
  font-family: sans-serif;
}

header {
  position: fixed;
  top: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 50px;
  background: rgba(0,0,0,0.5);
  color: white;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  align-items: center;
  padding: 0 15px;
  z-index: 10;
}

nav {
  position: fixed;
  bottom: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 50px;
  background: rgba(0,0,0,0.8);
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-around;
  align-items: center;
  color: white;
  z-index: 10;
}

nav i {
  font-size: 20px;
}

.video-feed {
  scroll-snap-type: y mandatory;
  margin-top: 50px;
  margin-bottom: 50px;
}

.video-container {
  position: relative;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100vh;
  scroll-snap-align: start;
}

video {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover;
}

.overlay {
  position: absolute;
  bottom: 60px;
  left: 10px;
  right: 10px;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  color: white;
  padding: 0 10px;
}

.info {
  max-width: 70%;
}

.actions {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 15px;
}

.actions i {
  font-size: 24px;
}

.profile-pic {
  width: 40px;
  height: 40px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  border: 2px solid white;
}

⚙️ Step 4. JavaScript (script.js)

Add autoplay on viewport scroll using Intersection Observer:

jsCopyEditconst videos = document.querySelectorAll("video");

const options = {
  root: null,
  rootMargin: "0px",
  threshold: 0.8
};

const callback = (entries) => {
  entries.forEach(entry => {
    if (entry.isIntersecting) {
      entry.target.play();
    } else {
      entry.target.pause();
    }
  });
};

const observer = new IntersectionObserver(callback, options);

videos.forEach(video => {
  observer.observe(video);
});

✅ Step 5. Testing Your TikTok Clone

Open index.html using Live Server in VS Code.
Scroll vertically. Each video will autoplay when it enters 80% of the viewport and pause when out of view, replicating TikTok’s feed behavior.

🚀 Step 6. Expand Your Project (Next Steps)

Demo

To build a full TikTok-like app:

Integrate a backend (PHP, Node.js, Firebase) for video uploads
Build with React or React Native for real mobile app deployment
Add user authentication and like/comment features
Integrate FFmpeg for video compression and thumbnail generation

💡 Final Thoughts

This TikTok-like template tutorial equips you with essential modern front-end skills. It’s a perfect mini-project to showcase in your developer portfolio or internship applications. Clone popular app UIs to:

✅ Understand real-world design patterns
✅ Improve JavaScript logic and CSS layout skills
✅ Prepare for freelance gigs building short video platforms