Chhoto URL

Chhoto URL is an open-source, self-hosted application that shortens long URLs into smaller, randomly generated links. It is designed for minimal resource consumption and speed, operating as a web server that can be deployed via Docker or Podman. The software provides a mobile-friendly interface for managing links and redirects users instantly to the destination without intermediate landing pages.

Users can manage their links through a web UI or a JSON-RPC adjacent API. The application supports both private and public modes, allowing for restricted admin access or open submissions. It is deployed as a container and stores data in an SQLite database, which is configured to be ACID by default. The software is intended for users who want a simple tool to manage redirects without the overhead of complex management systems.

Key features

• Generates random short links or allows for custom specified slugs
• Sets automatic expiry times for created links
• Tracks the number of hits per link without collecting user data
• Attaches custom notes to links with filtering capabilities
• Generates QR codes for shared links
• Provides a public mode for unauthenticated link creation
• Supports API key authentication and a JSON-RPC adjacent API
• Includes a mobile-friendly UI with automatic dark mode

The backend is written in Rust using the Actix Web framework, while the frontend uses vanilla JavaScript, plain HTML, and Pure CSS. This architecture results in a small footprint, with the scratch Docker image measuring under 5 MB and RAM usage typically staying below 10 MB under regular use. The system supports specific URI schemes including http, https, ftp, and magnet. For security, the developer recommends using a reverse proxy like Caddy to provide SSL encryption for the connection.

To ensure stability with large datasets, the software allows users to configure slug styles and lengths. It also supports the use of Write-Ahead Logging (WAL) mode for the database to improve performance. The project explicitly avoids implementing user management, tracking, cookies, or paywalls to maintain its focus on simplicity.

Chhoto URL is positioned as a lightweight utility for users who require a basic link shortener without user management or tracking features.