How It Works

The technical magic behind privacy-first code sharing using URL fragments.

The Core Concept

Tiny Code Share leverages a fundamental property of web browsers: URL fragments(the part after #) are never sent to web servers. This means your code stays completely private while still being shareable via a simple URL.

Example: https://tiny-code-share.vercel.app/#your-compressed-code-here

Everything after # stays in your browser and is never sent to our servers.

Step-by-Step Process

Code Input

The URL fragment isn't sent to servers during navigation, keeping your code completely private. The Monaco editor (the same editor used in VS Code). The editor provides syntax highlighting and language detection.

Compression

Your code is compressed using LZ-String, a powerful compression algorithm that can reduce code size by 50-90%, making URLs more manageable.

URL Encoding

Your code is compressed and encoded directly into the URL's fragment (the part after #), ensuring maximum privacy. This happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript.

Share the URL

You copy and share the generated URL. The recipient can open it in any browser to view your code with full syntax highlighting.

Code Restoration

When someone opens your link, their browser extracts the code from the URL fragment, decompresses it, and displays it with proper syntax highlighting.

Technical Architecture

Frontend Technologies

Next.js 15: React framework for optimal performance
Monaco Editor: Professional code editor component
highlight.js: Syntax highlighting for 200+ languages
LZ-String: Efficient string compression library
Tailwind CSS: Responsive styling framework

Key Features

Automatic Language Detection: Recognizes 50+ programming languages
Real-time Compression: Instant URL generation as you type
Mobile Responsive: Works on all device sizes
Lazy Loading: Monaco editor loads only when needed
Accessibility: Keyboard navigation and screen reader support

Why URL Fragments?

🔒 Privacy by Design

URL fragments are never sent to web servers. This is a fundamental browser behavior that ensures your code remains completely private.

⚡ No Backend Required

Since everything happens client-side, there's no need for databases, user accounts, or server-side processing. This keeps the service simple and fast.

🌐 Universal Compatibility

Works in any modern web browser without plugins or special software. The shared URLs work everywhere.

Limitations & Considerations

URL Length Limits

While compression helps significantly, very large code files may create URLs that exceed browser limits (typically 2,000-8,000 characters). For most code snippets, this isn't an issue.

Browser History

URLs may be stored in browser history, bookmarks, or server logs of intermediate services. Consider this when sharing sensitive code.

No Persistence

Code is only accessible via the URL. If the URL is lost, the code cannot be recovered. This is by design for maximum privacy.