diff --git a/backend/main.py b/backend/main.py
index 7ba155f..ff696c2 100644
--- a/backend/main.py
+++ b/backend/main.py
@@ -46,6 +46,10 @@ def main():
     jwt = JWTManager(app)
     jwt.user_lookup_loader(lookup_user)
 
+    @app.route("/")
+    def index():
+        return "PurpleForest backend is running!"
+
     app.add_url_rule("/register", methods=["POST"], view_func=register)
     app.add_url_rule("/login", methods=["POST"], view_func=login)
 
diff --git a/front-end/components/bloom.mjs b/front-end/components/bloom.mjs
index 0b4166c..c693564 100644
--- a/front-end/components/bloom.mjs
+++ b/front-end/components/bloom.mjs
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ const createBloom = (template, bloom) => {
 function _formatHashtags(text) {
   if (!text) return text;
   return text.replace(
-    /\B#[^#]+/g,
-    (match) => `<a href="/hashtag/${match.slice(1)}">${match}</a>`
+    /#([\p{L}0-9_]+)/gu,
+    (_, tag) => `<a href="/hashtag/${encodeURIComponent(tag)}">#${tag}</a>`
   );
 }