clink is a dead-simple, super-minimal URL shortener written in pure C using the Mongoose web server library, designed for self-hosting with extremely low resource usage.

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🚀 Overview

clink is an ultra-lightweight URL shortener that compiles to a tiny ~60 KB executable, runs blazing fast, and requires no external dependencies beyond libc. It uses a simple filesystem-backed storage for links, supports query strings with proper decoding, custom short paths, and secure deletion via long generated keys. Perfect for anyone tired of bloated alternatives.

This project solves the need for a truly minimal, self-hostable URL shortener that doesn't hog resources or require complex setups like databases or heavy runtimes. It's built for self-hosters, sysadmins, and developers who prioritize efficiency and simplicity on Linux servers. The author created it by forking and rewriting an existing Go-based shortener (called 'link') to fix missing features like query-string support, add easy deployment configs (NGINX, systemd), and slash the binary size dramatically for better performance.

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✨ Key Features

• Dead-simple shortening via curl POST/GET, with support for query strings, URL decoding, and custom paths (e.g., curl -d https://example.com short.example.com/mypath).
• Secure deletion using unique, longer keys returned in X-Delete-With header—no guessing or weak security.
• Tiny footprint: ~60 KB binary, minimal CPU/memory usage, no external libs needed (optional libcrypt).
• clinkctl CLI utility for managing links.
• Optional: Easy NGINX reverse proxy and systemd service configs for production deployment with HTTPS via Certbot.

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🛠 Tech Stack

• Backend: Pure C with embedded Mongoose web server library.
• Storage: Filesystem (data directory for link files).
• Build/Deploy: Make, optional NGINX, systemd, Certbot.
• No frontend, database, or auth—pure API.

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👥 Who Is This For?

This project is useful for:

• Self-hosters who want a lightweight, dependency-free URL shortener.
• Sysadmins deploying tiny services on Linux (Arch tested).
• Developers and indie makers seeking minimal tools with easy self-hosting.

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📸 Screenshots / Demo

• Live demo: https://short.swurl.xyz
• Git: https://git.crueter.xyz/crueter/clink

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🔥 Project Status

• 🟡 Maintained

Last updated: 2025-09-06

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❓ FAQ

Is this project free?

Yes / Open Source (Fully free to use and self-host, no costs or subscriptions.)

Is the source code available?

Yes — https://git.crueter.xyz/crueter/clink

Can I contribute?

Fork the repository, submit pull requests, or open issues for bugs/features. Feedback welcome via the repo.

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📬 Contact & Links

• Website: https://short.swurl.xyz
• Git: https://git.crueter.xyz/crueter/clink

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