Flink is a simple, free, libre and open source URL Shortener built with love and a ASP.NET Core 8 Web API. Why yet another URL Shortener, you might ask yourself? Well, because Flink has a unique feature set, and demands around scalability, simplicity, security and traceability that no other URL shortener was able to fulfil. In this step by step guide I will show you how to install Flink on your Synology NAS using Docker & Portainer.

💡Note: This guide works perfectly with the latest version of Flink v.1.0.0

• STEP 1

Please Support My work by Making a Donation.

• STEP 2

Install Portainer using my step by step guide. If you already have Portainer installed on your Synology NAS, skip this STEP. Attention: Make sure you have installed the latest Portainer version.

• STEP 3

Make sure you have a synology.me Wildcard Certificate. Follow my guide to get a Wildcard Certificate. If you already have a synology.me Wildcard certificate, skip this STEP.

• STEP 4

Go to Control Panel / Login Portal / Advanced Tab / click Reverse Proxy. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 5

Now click the “Create” button. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 6

After you click the Create button, the window below will open. Follow the instructions in the image below.

On the General area, set the Reverse Proxy Name description: type in Flink. After that, add the following instructions:

Source:
Protocol: HTTPS
Hostname: flink.yourname.synology.me
Port: 443

Check Enable HSTS

Destination:
Protocol: HTTP
Hostname: localhost
Port: 8596

• STEP 7

On the Reverse Proxy Rules click the Custom Header tab. Click Create and then, from the drop-down menu, click WebSocket. After you click on WebSocket, two Header Names and two Values will be automatically added. Click Save. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 8

Go to Control Panel / Network / Connectivity tab/ Check Enable HTTP/2 then click Apply. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 9

Go to Control Panel / Security / Advanced tab/ Check Enable HTTP Compression then click Apply. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 10

Log into Portainer using your username and password. On the left sidebar in Portainer, click on Stacks then + Add stack. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 11

In the Name field type in flink. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Note: Copy Paste the code below in the Portainer Stacks Web editor.

services:
  Flink:
    image: quay.io/rtraceio/flink:latest
    container_name: Flink
    security_opt:
      - no-new-privileges:true
    ports:
      - 8596:8080
    healthcheck:
      test: ["CMD-SHELL", "nc -z 127.0.0.1 8080 || exit 1"]
      interval: 10s
      timeout: 5s
      retries: 3
      start_period: 90s
    restart: on-failure:5

• STEP 12

Scroll down on the page until you see a button named Deploy the stack. Click on it. Follow the instructions in the image below. The installation process can take up to a few minutes. It will depend on your Internet speed connection.

• STEP 13

If everything goes right, you will see the following message at the top right of your screen: “Success Stack successfully deployed“.

• STEP 14

🟢Please Support My work by Making a Donation. Almost 99,9% of the people that install something using my guides forget to support my work, or just ignore STEP 1. I’ve been very honest about this aspect of my work since the beginning: I don’t run any ADS, I don’t require subscriptions, paid or otherwise, I don’t collect IPs, emails, and I don’t have any referral links from Amazon or other merchants. I also don’t have any POP-UPs or COOKIES. I have repeatedly been told over the years how much I have contributed to the community. It’s something I love doing and have been honest about my passion since the beginning. But I also Need The Community to Support me Back to be able to continue doing this work.

• STEP 15

Now open your browser and type in your HTTPS/SSL certificate like this https://flink.yourname.synology.me In my case it’s https://flink.mariushosting.synology.me If everything goes right, you will see the Flink page. In the apposite area, type in your long URL link that you want to shorten, then click flinkify. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 16

Your shortened link at a glance!

Enjoy Flink!

🆘TROUBLESHOOTING

If you encounter issues by using this container, make sure to check out the Common Docker issues article.

Note: Can I run Docker on my Synology NAS? See the supported models.
Note: How to Back Up Docker Containers on your Synology NAS.
Note: Find out how to update the Flink container with the latest image.
Note: How to Free Disk Space on Your NAS if You Run Docker.
Note: How to Schedule Start & Stop For Docker Containers.
Note: How to Activate Email Notifications.
Note: How to Add Access Control Profile on Your NAS.
Note: How to Change Docker Containers Restart Policy.
Note: How to Use Docker Containers With VPN.
Note: Convert Docker Run Into Docker Compose.
Note: How to Clean Docker.
Note: How to Clean Docker Automatically.
Note: Best Practices When Using Docker and DDNS.
Note: Some Docker Containers Need WebSocket.
Note: Find out the Best NAS Models For Docker.
Note: Activate Gmail SMTP For Docker Containers.

This post was updated on Saturday / February 15th, 2025 at 12:01 AM