#+TITLE: DONE A Quick Command-Line URL Shortener That Actually Saves Time ⚡ :blog_sl:bash:tips:
CLOSED: [2025-06-07 Sat 16:42]
:PROPERTIES:
:CREATED: [2025-06-07 Sat 16:42]
:ID: shorturl-tip
:END:
:LOGBOOK:
- State "DONE"       from              [2025-06-07 Sat 16:42]
:END:

We've all been there: you need to share a long URL and spend precious
minutes hunting through various URL shortening websites 😤. After
doing this dance one too many times, I decided to create a simple bash
function that puts URL shortening right at my fingertips.

* The Solution 🛠️

Here's the bash function that has quietly revolutionized my workflow:

#+begin_src bash
function shorturl() {
if [ -z "$1" ]; then
printf "Usage: shorturl <url>\n"
return 1
fi
printf "Shortening url '$1'\n"
curl -s "https://is.gd/create.php?format=simple&url=$1" \
| tee >(pbcopy)
}
#+end_src

The function is elegantly simple: it validates input, shows you which
URL is being shortened, calls the is.gd API, and automatically copies
the result to your clipboard (on macOS): the =tee >(pbcopy)= command
displays the shortened URL in your terminal while simultaneously
doing the clipboard copy.

* Setup 🔧

Add the above to your =.alias= file in your home directory, then
ensure your =.bashrc= includes:

#+begin_src bash
test -e ~/.alias && . ~/.alias
#+end_src

This keeps your custom functions organized while making them available
in every shell session.

* Why This Matters 💡

It's not just about time saved—it's about removing friction from your
workflow. Instead of opening a browser, navigating to a service,
pasting, copying, and switching back, you simply type =shorturl
<longurl>= and the shortened version is instantly ready to paste.

This tiny function represents a broader principle: *automate the
small, repetitive tasks that interrupt your flow*. These
micro-inefficiencies break your concentration and add up over time.

* Using Linux?

Replace =pbcopy= with =xclip -selection clipboard=.

* The Philosophy of Small Tools

This embodies the Unix philosophy of small, focused tools that do one
thing well. Sometimes the most impactful improvements to your workflow
are the smallest ones.

Next time you find yourself doing the same digital task repeatedly,
ask: "Could I automate this with a simple function?" You might be