Project ShortStack - A URL Shortener with a Dynamic UI

A fully functional URL shortener built with Python and Flask, featuring a mesmerizing, interactive frontend created with vanilla JavaScript and CSS.

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📸 Screenshots

The application features a dynamic, multi-layered UI with an animated gradient, a "living constellation" particle system, and a "liquid" cursor that leaves a speed-sensitive trail.

The Main Interface:

Result After Shortening:

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✨ Features

• Core URL Shortening: Convert long URLs into short, easy-to-share links.
• Custom Aliases: Users can provide their own custom names for short links.
• Random Code Generation: Automatically generates a unique 6-character code if no alias is given.
• Persistent Storage: Uses SQLite to save all links.
• Error Handling: Gracefully handles when a user tries to create a duplicate alias.
• Mesmerizing UI:
  • Animated gradient background.
  • "Living Constellation" effect with drifting, connecting particles.
  • Custom "liquid" cursor that leaves a speed-sensitive "supernova" particle trail.
  • Ripple/shockwave effect on mouse clicks.

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🚀 Tech Stack

• Backend: Python, Flask
• Database: SQLite
• Frontend: HTML5, CSS3 (with custom properties and animations), Vanilla JavaScript (using HTML Canvas)

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🔧 How to Run Locally

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone [https://github.com/Mheet/URL-Shortner.git](https://github.com/Mheet/URL-Shortner.git)
   cd URL-Shortner

2. Create and activate a virtual environment:

   # For Windows
   python -m venv venv
   .\venv\Scripts\activate
   
   # For Mac/Linux
   python3 -m venv venv
   source venv/bin/activate

3. Install dependencies:

   pip install Flask

4. Initialize the database:

   # This only needs to be run once
   python -m flask initdb

5. Run the application in debug mode:

   python -m flask run --debug

The application will be available at http://127.0.0.1:5000.

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🤝 Contributing

1. Fork the repo
2. Create a new branch (git checkout -b feature/MyFeature)
3. Commit your changes (git commit -m "Add MyFeature")
4. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/MyFeature)
5. Create a Pull Request

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📜 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

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📬 Contact

Mheet Singh

• GitHub: @Mheet
• LinkedIn: @Mheet
• Project Repo: https://www.shorturl.at/(https://github.com/Mheet/URL-Shortner)