For that, as an alternative solution, there is [1] by @jermaustin1, and [2] by @dangrossman.
I even thought about making my own app, that basically just tracks all comment replies for a user who's logged in/authenticated w/ HN, then has a separate db to check comments that have been 'read'... etc.. could have some sort of chat/messenging features using the separate DB bits....I'd probably model it closer to hckrnews.com's layout though...but in dark-mode.