URL Shortener API (Express, Stats, Expiry)

A URL shortening REST API

A URL shortener backend in Node.js/Express: create aliases, redirect with click tracking, per-link stats, expiry and cleanup, backed by atomic JSON persistence.

What's included

• Create alias — custom or generated
• Redirect — 301/302 with click tracking
• Stats — clicks per link, last 24h
• Expiry — optional TTL with cleanup
• Validation — URL + alias rules
• CORS + logging — middleware included
• 36 passing tests — node:test suite

Quick Start

npm install
npm start

Stack

Node.js 18+ · Express · pure ESM

Use cases

• Link management tools
• Marketing tracking links
• Internal URL helpers
• Learning HTTP redirects