Share Me: Ephemeral File Sharing with 4-Digit Codes

Overview

Share Me is a no-signup file and text sharing platform that uses 4-digit codes for retrieval, MongoDB TTL indexes for automatic expiry, and single-access deletion for privacy. The entire upload-to-share flow completes in under 3 seconds.

Problem

Sharing files between devices typically requires accounts, logins, and heavy upload flows. For quick one-off transfers — sending a note from phone to laptop, sharing a config with a teammate — the friction of signing up is disproportionate to the task.

Solution

Built a minimal platform with zero authentication. Users generate a 4-digit code by uploading content, share the code, and the recipient retrieves the data once before it is permanently deleted. MongoDB TTL indexes automatically clean up unretrieved data after 24 hours.

Technical Architecture

• Frontend: Next.js, Tailwind CSS
• Backend: Node.js, MongoDB
• Encoding: Base64 for file and text content
• Expiry: MongoDB TTL indexes for automatic cleanup
• Security: Single-access deletion, encrypted in transit

Results

• Upload-to-share speed: under 3 seconds
• Automatic data deletion after single retrieval or TTL expiry
• No account creation required — zero onboarding friction
• Base64 encoding handles any file type up to 10 MB