MakeLink is a high-performance, professional-grade URL shortener built with the MERN stack. Designed with a Modernist Brutalist aesthetic, it focuses on raw engineering, architectural clarity, and lightning-fast execution. It transforms messy raw data into sleek, branded assets for the modern web.
- Live Preview
Experience MakeLink in action.
- Figma Design File
Experience MakeLink in figma.
- Sub-40ms Redirection: Engineered for zero-latency user experience using Edge proxying via Vercel Rewrites.
- Custom Identifiers: Full support for branded slugs and personalized aliases.
- Auto-Protocol: Intelligent normalization and security sanitization of destination URLs.
- Security Hardened: Built-in protection via Helmet, Rate-Limiting, and forbidden protocol filtering.
- 90-Day Lifespan: Automatic database auto-purge via MongoDB TTL (Time-To-Live) indexing.
- Modernist Brutalist UI: High-contrast neutral-scale interface optimized for focus, functional speed, and responsiveness.
- Advanced SEO: Fully implemented JSON-LD structured data, OpenGraph, and Twitter Card metadata.
- Frontend: React (Vite), Tailwind CSS v4, Framer Motion
- Backend: Node.js, Express.js, Mongoose
- Database: MongoDB Atlas
- DevOps: Vercel (Edge Proxying), Render (API Deployment)
To run this project locally, create the following files:
PORT=5000
MONGO_URI=your_mongodb_atlas_uri
BASE_URL=http://localhost:5000
VITE_API_URL=http://localhost:5000/api
To get a local copy up and running, follow these steps:
-
Clone the repository:
git clone https://github.com/saad-shaikh-256/URL-Shortner.git
-
Navigate to the root folder:
cd URL-Shortner -
Install dependencies:
npm run install-all
-
Start the development server:
npm run dev
-
Open your browser and visit http://localhost:5173 (or the port shown in your terminal).
- Automatic Deletion: This project uses a TTL index on MongoDB. All links are automatically deleted from the database exactly 90 days after creation.
- Security Policy: The system blocks
javascript:,data:, andfile: protocols to prevent XSS and session hijacking. Production Proxy: In production, thevercel.jsonhandles rewrites so that users only see themake-link.vercel.appdomain.
- Real-time click analytics dashboard
- QR Code generation for every shortened link
- Password-protected link redirects
- Custom domain mapping for enterprise users
- Designed & Developed by Saad Shaikh
Feel free to suggest features, report bugs, or fork the project!
Usage of this tool is at your own risk.
The developer of MakeLink:
- Does not monitor, endorse, or verify the content of any shortened URLs.
- Is not liable for any damages, legal issues, or security threats (malware, phishing, etc.) arising from the use of redirected links.
- Explicitly disclaims all responsibility for user-generated content.
- Provides this software for learning and demonstration purposes only.
If you find an abusive link, please report it via the GitHub Issues tab.