URL Shortener: Own your links
Stop relying on third-party shorteners that throttle traffic or overlay ads. Tools & News ships with a lightweight SQLite-backed shortener that stores codes locally and serves redirects via FastAPI. Perfect for campaign tracking, QR codes, or sharing internal dashboards.
Features
- Base62 codes ensure compact links like
/s/AbC123. - Local database (SQLite) gives you complete control and compliance.
- Instant API response for automations or manual use.
- Pairs with QR Generator to build branded offline experiences.
How it works
- Open
/tool/url-shortener. - Paste your long URL (HTTPS recommended).
- Click Shorten URL.
- Copy the returned
/s/{code}path or the full absolute URL (ifNEXT_PUBLIC_SITE_URLis set). - Share or embed anywhere.
Tips
- Configure
NEXT_PUBLIC_SITE_URLso copies include your production domain. - Periodically prune the SQLite database if you generate thousands of links.
- Combine with QR codes for print campaigns.
FAQ
Can I customize codes?
Not yet; codes are randomized for uniqueness.
Is there analytics?
Current version focuses on reliable redirects. Add analytics via nginx logs or future extensions.
How durable is the DB?
SQLite is lightweight but dependable; include it in your backup routine if links are mission-critical.
Does it support HTTP URLs?
Yes, but HTTPS is encouraged. The service auto-prefixes https:// if missing.