How to Deploy and Use Short Paste on Oikos OpenHub: Quick Link, Text, and File Sharing

Short Paste is a versatile, self-hosted application designed for quick and secure sharing of digital assets. It allows users to generate custom, short links for three primary use cases: URL redirection, sharing short text messages (snippets), and facilitating secure file downloads/uploads. It functions as a lightweight, private utility for developers and teams.

Deploying Short Paste via the Oikos OpenHub Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) provides an instant, dedicated, and secure environment. Oikos manages the networking and hosting, enabling you to launch this utility quickly and maintain control over your shared links and files.

1. Accessing the Oikos OpenHub Catalog#

Access the Oikos Console#

Navigate to OpenHub#

  • Locate: Find the OpenHub option in the left-hand navigation sidebar (standardizing the terminology from Marketplace).
  • Selection: Click OpenHub to view the comprehensive catalog of deployable open-source applications.

Search for Short Paste#

  • Search Bar: Utilize the search functionality within the OpenHub interface and enter the term Short Paste.
  • Identify: Locate the Short Paste application card.

2. Configuring and Initiating Deployment#

Short Paste requires secure access credentials and persistent storage for file uploads.

Start Deployment and Configuration Review#

  • Action: Hover over the Short Paste tile and click the Deploy button. This transitions you to the configuration screen.

Review Deployment Settings#

  • App Name: Assign a unique name to your instance (e.g., private-link-share).

  • Initial Credentials (Crucial): You will be prompted to set up the Admin Username and Password. These credentials are vital for securing access to your Short Paste dashboard.

  • Persistence: Oikos will map a persistent volume to the container. This is crucial for retaining all file uploads and the database of generated short links.

  • DNS Resolution: Note that after successful deployment, you must wait approximately 90 seconds for the domain name system (DNS) to fully resolve the public URL.

  • Finalization: Confirm the settings, set your admin credentials, and click Submit or the final Deploy button to commence the container launch process.

Monitor Deployment Status#

  • Process: Wait for the status indicator to change to Running.

3. Accessing and Utilizing Short Paste Features#

Once the status is Running and the DNS has resolved, click Open App and use your previously created Username and Password to log in to the dashboard.

Feature 1: Redirect a Link (URL Shortening)#

This feature is used to create a short, secure link that redirects to a specific, potentially long, external URL.

  1. Access: Select the Link option on the dashboard.
  2. Input: In the designated field, paste the full target URL you want users to be redirected to.
  3. Create: Click Create to generate the unique short link.
  4. Verification: Test the generated link in a new browser tab. It should immediately redirect you to the destination URL.

Use Case: Perfect for tracking external clicks or creating clean, memorable links for marketing or internal documentation.

Feature 2: Create and Share a Text Message (Snippet Sharing)#

This feature allows you to quickly generate a link that displays a plain text message or code snippet.

  1. Access: Click on the Text option on the dashboard.
  2. Input: Type or paste the message, code, or instructions you wish to share into the text box.
  3. Create: Click Create to generate a shareable link for the text content.
  4. Sharing: Copy the link. When the recipient opens it, the link will display the exact message you entered.

Use Case: Excellent for sharing temporary instructions, error messages, or configuration snippets without using email or chat history.

Feature 3: Upload and Share a File#

This feature provides a private method for distributing files securely via a unique link.

  1. Access: From the dashboard, select File.
  2. Upload: Use the upload button to select the file from your local device.
  3. Generate: Once the file upload is complete, click Create to generate the unique download link.
  4. Distribution: Share the generated link with the intended recipient(s). When they access the link, they will be able to download the file directly from your Oikos-hosted instance.

Important Note: File upload size and type limits may be governed by your specific Oikos configuration and the underlying container settings.

Core Benefits of Deploying Short Paste on Oikos#

1. Privacy and Data Control#

By self-hosting Short Paste, you ensure that all created links, text snippets, and uploaded files are managed within your private container, providing full data control and security compared to public link-shortening services.

2. Dedicated and Secure Endpoint#

Oikos provides a stable, always-on server secured with HTTPS/TLS encryption. This ensures that the sharing process, from link creation to file access, is protected.

3. Integrated Persistence#

The platform manages the necessary persistent storage volume, ensuring that all your generated links and uploaded files remain safe and accessible across application restarts and maintenance windows.

4. Simplified Utility Deployment#

The PaaS environment handles all the backend infrastructure, allowing you to instantly deploy a versatile sharing utility without needing to configure a web server, database, or file storage system manually.

Other Deployment Guides#