> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.sundevs.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating Links

> Create short links with Quick Create or the full form.

SunLinks offers two ways to create a short link.

## Quick Create

The fastest way to create a link:

1. **Copy a URL** to your clipboard (for example from your browser address bar).
2. From anywhere on the Dashboard, **press Enter** or **click the Quick Create panel**.
3. A dialog opens with your clipboard URL pre-filled. If clipboard access is restricted, paste or type the URL manually.
4. Optionally expand **More options** to set:
   * **Custom short code**: your own memorable path (for example `my-link`)
   * **Title**: a friendly name for the link
   * **Description**: a brief note about what the link is for
   * **Redirect type**: 301 (Permanent) or 302 (Temporary)
5. Click **Create** (or press Enter). A confirmation dialog shows your new short URL, a QR code, and a **Copy** button.

## Full create form

For more control, go to **Links → Create New Link**.

| Field             | Required | Description                                                                |
| ----------------- | -------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Destination URL   | ✅        | The full URL you want to shorten (must start with `http://` or `https://`) |
| Custom Short Code | No       | Your preferred short path; leave blank for auto-generated                  |
| Title             | No       | A human-friendly label for the link                                        |
| Description       | No       | A brief description (up to 500 characters)                                 |
| Redirect Type     | No       | `302 - Temporary` (default) or `301 - Permanent`                           |

After creation, a confirmation dialog shows your new short URL, QR code, and options to **Copy**, **Share**, or **Edit** the link.

## Custom short codes

SunLinks checks custom short codes for availability in real time. If a code is taken, you'll see an error and must choose another. Short codes:

* Must be 3–50 characters long
* Can contain letters, numbers, hyphens (`-`), and underscores (`_`)
* Are unique across the entire system

If you leave the short code blank, a random 6-character code is generated.

## Redirect types

| Type               | Behavior                                                                                                                                      |
| ------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **302: Temporary** | Browsers and search engines treat the redirect as temporary. Best for most use cases (marketing campaigns, A/B testing). This is the default. |
| **301: Permanent** | Browsers and search engines cache the redirect. Best for permanent URL migrations.                                                            |


## Related topics

- [The Dashboard](/sunlinks/dashboard/overview.md)
- [Known Limitations](/sunpaste/reference/known-limitations.md)
- [API V2](/sunlicense/api-documentation/api-v2.md)
- [Managing Links](/sunlinks/dashboard/managing-links.md)
- [Dashboard](/sunlicense/getting-started/dashboard.md)