ToolHub

# the-problem

Everyday file tasks, like compressing a PDF or converting an image, usually mean uploading a private document to a stranger's server. Most of these jobs don't need a server at all, because a modern browser can do the work itself.

ToolHub is my answer to that. It's a free collection of utilities that process files in the browser by default, with server fallbacks where a task needs one.

# my-role

ToolHub is my own product, so I own all of it: product decisions, design, engineering, deployment, and search.

# what-it-does

There are 54 tools across images, PDFs and documents, text, developer utilities, SEO, generators, and calculators. They range from image conversion and PDF merging to a JSON formatter, a JWT decoder, and a loan amortizer.

# key-decisions

Work happens on the visitor's device

Local processing is the default, so most files never leave the visitor's device. Heavier engines run in the browser through WebAssembly, including a compiled version of qpdf for adding or removing PDF passwords.

Every page is a real page

Nuxt prerenders the tool, category, and article pages. Search engines and link previews get complete HTML, and each tool can rank for its own task. That matters for a product that grows mainly through search.

Tools share one structure

With more than 50 tools, consistency has to come from the system. A shared structure and scaffolding script give every new tool the same layout, metadata, and behavior, so the suite stays maintainable as it grows.

It behaves like an app

ToolHub installs as a progressive web app and picks up new releases automatically. A release only activates after it has downloaded successfully, so a failed update leaves the current version working.

Small deployment, production habits

It runs as a small Nuxt server with security headers, rate limits on API routes, and a repeatable release process.

# why-it-matters

ToolHub is the most inspectable thing in this portfolio. Most of my professional work is private, while anyone can open this one and try it.