Stable Shortlinks is a lightweight URL shortener for WordPress built around a simple principle: do one thing, and do it well.
When a post is saved, the plugin assigns it a short URL on your own domain. That shortlink stays associated with the post through edits and permalink changes, and redirects to the post's current URL when the post is publicly viewable.
Shortlinks appear above and below individual posts with a copy-to-clipboard button, making them easy to share. All mappings stay in your WordPress database.
Following the Unix philosophy of small tools with a single, clearly defined purpose, Stable Shortlinks focuses on reliable short URLs with minimal configuration.
What it does
- Creates a short URL when a post is saved.
- Preserves that short URL through edits and permalink changes.
- Redirects to the post's current permalink.
- Uses your own WordPress domain.
- Stores all mappings locally in your WordPress database.
- Displays the shortlink above and below the post.
- Provides a copy-to-clipboard button.
A deliberately small feature set
There are no click analytics, visitor tracking, campaign tools, external shortening services, third-party accounts, or APIs to configure. There is no administration dashboard full of options.
Stable Shortlinks is for site owners who want stable short URLs for their posts and a small plugin with a clearly defined job.
Activation creates a table using your configured database prefix and character set. Existing mapping tables are preserved. InnoDB support, an InnoDB posts table, and permission to create tables and foreign keys are required.
- Upload the stable-shortlinks folder to wp-content/plugins/, or upload the plugin ZIP through Plugins > Add New.
- Activate Stable Shortlinks through the Plugins screen. On multisite, activate it separately for each site; network activation is not supported.
- Save a post to generate its short link. Existing posts without mappings receive a link the next time they are saved.
Upgrading from xeu-su
Deactivate the old plugin and remove its folder manually before activating Stable Shortlinks. Do not delete the old plugin through WordPress: that runs its uninstall routine and removes all mappings. The existing short_urls table and all short links are preserved by the renamed plugin. Do not activate both versions together.