Self-hosting can be a game-changer, but keeping track of all those ports and IP addresses? Frustrating! Many turn to self-hosted dashboards as a solution, but that's a whole new can of worms with its own setup and troubleshooting. Plus, if you're self-hosting on a device with limited resources, you might want to avoid adding more services. So, how can you enjoy the convenience of shortcuts without the hassle of additional self-hosting? Well, my friend, I've got some simple yet effective tricks up my sleeve, especially for self-hosting beginners. Let's dive in and explore these shortcut saviors!
Browser Bookmarks: The Simplest Solution
Saving shortcuts to your self-hosted services as browser bookmarks is a no-brainer. It's easy, requires no extra tools, and you can organize them into folders or give them prime real estate on your bookmarks bar. Plus, finding services becomes a breeze when you type them into your search bar, no more remembering IP addresses or ports!
However, if you're a visual person or have a ton of bookmarks already, these shortcuts might get lost in the crowd. I used to rely on bookmarks, but now I only use them for certain services due to this very issue.
Custom Search Shortcuts: My Personal Favorite
If you're a Chromium browser user (Chrome or Brave), you're in for a treat! While many browsers allow custom search engines, Chromium browsers take it up a notch with custom text shortcuts. These shortcuts let you access specific pages and websites with ease.
For instance, I have a shortcut for my Home Assistant dashboard. I simply type "@ha" into my search bar, and voilĂ ! I'm there. I've also set up shortcuts for Donetick and Jotty instances. The beauty of these shortcuts is that you can customize them to your heart's content. Use shorthand that makes sense to you and keep them super short for quick access.
To set up these shortcuts, head to Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search. Click the Add button next to Site search, and you're ready to create your custom shortcut with a name, text shortcut, and the link it directs to.
The only downside? These shortcuts aren't available on the mobile versions of Chrome and Brave. But fear not, I've got a mobile-specific trick up my sleeve for those situations.
Raindrop.io and Bookmark Managers: Cloud Syncing and Cross-Platform Support
If your browser bookmarks are a mess, a bookmark manager like Raindrop.io can be a lifesaver. It's perfect for saving shortcuts to your self-hosted services, and I love its functionality and organization features.
You can use Raindrop as a general bookmark manager or dedicate it entirely to your home lab. The choice is yours!
One of the best things about Raindrop is its availability as a browser extension, web app, and mobile app. This makes it incredibly easy to sync and access your shortcuts across devices and platforms. I found this especially useful when switching between browsers on different devices. With Raindrop, I always had access to my shortcuts, regardless of the browser or device I was using.
The mobile app is a game-changer too. You can easily save links you visit on your phone's browser and access your shortcuts even without syncing between your desktop and phone. And if you're a visual person, Raindrop allows image previews, making your shortcuts even more appealing.
While custom start page services are an option, I found setting up Raindrop and then making it my start page to be more practical.
Saving Web Pages as Shortcuts on Your Phone: For App-less Services
If you want to use a self-hosted service on your phone, installing its companion app is often the way to go. I do this for Home Assistant and Paperless-ngx. But many services don't have dedicated mobile apps. In these cases, if the web app is mobile-responsive, saving it as a shortcut on your smartphone is a great option.
This way, you can access the service with a shortcut on your phone's home screen, no more digging through bookmarks or URLs.
To save a page as a shortcut on your phone, open it in your mobile browser, select the drop-down menu, and choose "Add to home screen." For services that support progressive web apps, you'll often see the install option pop up on the page. I've done this for Jotty Page, as I use it on both my desktop and phone for quick notes and checklists. I also used Donetick as a shortcut on my phone before setting it up with an HTTPS connection, as the mobile app only supports secure connections.
Wrapping Up: Simple Shortcuts, Minimal Setup
Self-hosting can be time-consuming with all the troubleshooting, configuring, and updating. So, if you're not keen on self-hosting a dashboard and just want simple shortcuts, these tricks and services are perfect. They offer an easy way to access your self-hosted services with minimal setup.
And there you have it! A few simple yet effective ways to save shortcuts to your self-hosted services. No more struggling to remember ports and IP addresses. Give these tricks a try and let me know which one works best for you! I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Happy self-hosting!
