CompletedReactTypeScriptNode.js+5 more
Zap-URL
Production-ready URL shortener applying system design principles — Redis caching, DynamoDB storage, AWS EC2 deployment, PM2 process management, and ArcJet security.
Timeline
2 Weeks
Role
Full Stack Developer
Status
CompletedTechnology Stack
React
TypeScript
Node.js
Express
AWS DynamoDB
Redis
AWS EC2
Vercel
Key Challenges
- Redis cache invalidation
- AWS DynamoDB setup
- SSRF protection
- EC2 + Nginx reverse proxy
Key Learnings
- System design at scale
- Redis caching patterns
- ArcJet rate limiting
- PM2 process management
Overview
Zap-URL is a full-stack URL shortener built with production-grade infrastructure. Beyond just shortening links, it showcases real system design principles: caching strategies, cloud deployments, and security hardening.
Architecture
React + Vite (Vercel) ──HTTPS──► Express + Node.js (AWS EC2)
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Redis (Cache) DynamoDB (Storage)
Key Features
Performance
- Redis caching for instant redirects on repeated visits
- DynamoDB for scalable, low-latency persistent storage
- Sub-100ms redirect times on cache hits
Security
- ArcJet integration for bot protection and abuse prevention
- Rate limiting per IP
- Input validation and URL sanitization
Infrastructure
- Backend hosted on AWS EC2 with Nginx as a reverse proxy
- PM2 process manager for zero-downtime restarts
- Frontend on Vercel with GitHub Actions CI
API
POST /api/links/shorten— create short URLGET /:shortCode— redirect with Redis-first lookup- Custom short code support and URL expiry
Tech Stack
React 19 · TypeScript · Vite
Node.js · Express · Redis · AWS DynamoDB · AWS EC2
ArcJet · PM2 · Nginx · Vercel