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Deploying Slink

Introduction

Slink is a minimalist, self-hosted image sharing platform designed for simplicity and privacy. In an era of complex social media platforms, Slink strips image sharing down to its essentials: upload an image, get a link, share it. No accounts required, no tracking, no ads—just straightforward image hosting.

Built with a focus on speed and simplicity, Slink is perfect for developers, teams, or anyone who needs a reliable way to share images without the overhead of full-featured gallery applications.

Key features of Slink include:

  • Simple Upload: Drag-and-drop or paste images to upload instantly
  • Clean URLs: Short, shareable links for every image
  • No Account Required: Anonymous uploads without registration
  • API Support: Programmatic uploads for automation and integration
  • Lightweight: Minimal resource requirements
  • Self-Hosted: Complete control over your images and data
  • Direct Links: Direct image URLs for embedding
  • Multiple Formats: Support for common image formats
  • Responsive Design: Works on desktop and mobile
  • Open Source: Transparent and customizable

This guide walks through deploying Slink on Klutch.sh using Docker.

Deploying Slink on Klutch.sh provides several advantages:

Simplified Deployment: Klutch.sh handles the build and deployment automatically.

Data Ownership: Your images stay on your infrastructure.

HTTPS by Default: Secure image sharing with automatic SSL.

Persistent Storage: Images survive restarts and redeployments.

Custom Domains: Use your own domain for branded image links.

Scalable Resources: Handle varying upload and traffic volumes.

Always Available: 24/7 access to your shared images.

Prerequisites

Before deploying Slink on Klutch.sh, ensure you have:

  • A Klutch.sh account
  • A GitHub account with a repository for your configuration
  • Basic familiarity with Docker
  • (Optional) A custom domain for your image hosting

    Create a GitHub Repository

    Create a new GitHub repository for your Slink deployment configuration.

    Create Your Dockerfile

    Create a Dockerfile:

    FROM node:18-alpine
    

    WORKDIR /app
    

    RUN apk add --no-cache git
    

    RUN git clone https://github.com/anderspitman/slink.git .
    

    RUN npm install
    

    ENV PORT=8080
    ENV UPLOAD_DIR=/data/uploads
    

    RUN mkdir -p /data/uploads
    

    EXPOSE 8080
    

    CMD ["npm", "start"]

    Alternatively, if using a different Slink implementation:

    FROM golang:1.21-alpine AS builder
    

    WORKDIR /app
    

    RUN apk add --no-cache git
    

    RUN git clone https://github.com/your-slink-repo/slink.git .
    

    RUN go build -o slink .
    

    FROM alpine:latest
    

    WORKDIR /app
    

    COPY --from=builder /app/slink .
    

    RUN mkdir -p /data/uploads
    

    ENV UPLOAD_DIR=/data/uploads
    ENV PORT=8080
    

    EXPOSE 8080
    

    CMD ["./slink"]

    Push Your Repository to GitHub

    Commit and push your Dockerfile.

    Create a New Project on Klutch.sh

    Navigate to the Klutch.sh dashboard and create a new project.

    Create a New App

    Create a new app and connect your GitHub repository.

    Configure Environment Variables

    Add any necessary environment variables:

    VariableValue
    PORT8080
    UPLOAD_DIR/data/uploads
    MAX_FILE_SIZE10485760 (10MB, adjust as needed)

    Configure HTTP Settings

    Set the traffic type to HTTP and configure the internal port to 8080.

    Attach Persistent Storage

    Add a persistent volume for image storage:

    Mount PathRecommended SizePurpose
    /data/uploads10 GB+Uploaded images

    Deploy Your Application

    Click Deploy to start the build process.

    Access Slink

    Once deployment completes, access your Slink instance at your app’s URL.

    Start Sharing Images

    Upload your first image and share the generated link.

Using Slink is straightforward:

  1. Upload: Drag and drop an image onto the page or use the upload button
  2. Get Link: Copy the generated URL
  3. Share: Send the link to anyone who needs to see the image

API Usage

Slink typically supports API uploads:

Terminal window
curl -X POST -F "file=@image.png" https://your-slink.klutch.sh/upload

This returns a JSON response with the image URL.

Security Considerations

When running a public image host:

  • Set appropriate file size limits
  • Consider implementing rate limiting
  • Monitor storage usage
  • Consider adding authentication for upload functionality

Additional Resources

Conclusion

Deploying Slink on Klutch.sh gives you a simple, fast image sharing solution without the complexity of full-featured gallery applications. Whether you need quick screenshot sharing for a development team or a lightweight personal image host, Slink delivers the essentials without unnecessary overhead.

The combination of Klutch.sh’s deployment simplicity and Slink’s minimalist design means you can have a functional image sharing platform running in minutes.