I created the official PasteDB VS Code extension that lets you upload your current file or selected code directly from Visual Studio Code. It includes secure API key storage, customizable upload settings, recent paste history, automatic language detection, and instant shareable links. In this post, I’ll explain how it works, how to install it, and the challenges I faced while building it.
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Do any one tried the extension?
Is there something missing?
Creator of Vlox β the ultimate social network! I also built NanoScript β a custom DOM library for easier web development!
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β’ Jul 17
I will try it. But can you explain how it works? What is PasteDB, exactly? How does it benefit me?
Thanks in advance!
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PasteDB is a modern paste-sharing platform for developers, students, and anyone who needs to quickly share text, code snippets, logs, notes, or even images using a simple link.
Instead of sending code in chat apps or emails, you can create a paste and share a URL instantly. It supports syntax highlighting, Markdown, custom URLs, password protection, expiration, burn-after-read, end-to-end encrypted pastes, QR sharing, nearby device transfer, analytics, and even a VS Code extension so you can upload code without leaving your editor.
You don’t even need an account to create a public paste, but signing in lets you manage your pastes from a dashboard.
Thanks! π
The VS Code extension is a companion to PasteDB. It lets you upload code snippets directly from VS Code without opening your browser.
Just select the code you want to share, run the PasteDB command (or use the context menu), and the extension uploads it to PasteDB, automatically copying the shareable link to your clipboard.
It’s useful when you want to quickly share code with teammates, ask for help on forums, submit snippets in chats, or save code for laterβall without leaving your editor.
If you use an API key, the pastes are saved to your PasteDB account so you can manage them later. You can also create guest pastes if you don’t want to sign in.
I’d love to hear your feedback if you give it a try!
The extension is a companion to PasteDB that lets you upload code snippets directly from VS Code without opening your browser. Simply select the code you want to share, right-click, choose Upload to PasteDB, and it uploads the snippet and copies the shareable link to your clipboard.
Setup is simple:
Install the PasteDB extension from the VS Code Marketplace.
Generate an API key from your PasteDB dashboard and save it in the extension. With an API key, your pastes are linked to your account and can be managed later.
3.Select some code, right-click, and choose Upload to PasteDB (or use the Command Palette).
The goal is to make sharing code as quick as possible without interrupting your workflow. If you give it a try, I’d really appreciate any feedback or suggestions!
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If you want end to end encrypted pastes use the web interface at
pastedb.netlify.app/create
As the e2ee is added to web interface only for now
E2ee pastes can be made by selecting Unlisted Or Private as visibility
For e2ee docs go to
pastedb.netlify.app/e2ee
Creator of Vlox β the ultimate social network! I also built NanoScript β a custom DOM library for easier web development!
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β’ Jul 18
Thanks for the breakdown! Just a heads-up: Netlify is actually blocked here in Egypt, so I can’t access those web links directly without a VPN. The VS Code extension workflow sounds super clean, thoughβI’ll check out the extension side of it!
I m coming with a solution right a way
Try this url
sorathiya903.github.io/pastedb/
Note : Navigation is supported through the home page only , so use the Home page menu to go to create page , dashboard etc
Creator of Vlox β the ultimate social network! I also built NanoScript β a custom DOM library for easier web development!
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β’ Jul 18
I saw the website π―. It’s amazing! I think PasteDB is a great tool. It allows developers to share text quickly. Good job π, you really did well.
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you were able to try it. Your earlier comment about Netlify being blocked actually motivated me to set up the GitHub Pages mirror so more people can access PasteDB. I’m still improving it, so if you have any suggestions or features you’d like to see, I’d love to hear them.
Thanks, Seif! π I’m glad you could access it through GitHub Pages. Out of curiosity, what kind of projects do you usually work on?
I m connecting backend from that new site
It may take max 5 min
Your app is good and at high level , as making a social media app with securityis not easy, I appreciate that,
I hope this app grows
My recommendations
Start the SEO
Use Google analytics to track user what like or not
Maintain genuine content on Vlox, the social media app
But while making post on Vlox I faced this error
Error creating post: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading ‘success’)
Creator of Vlox β the ultimate social network! I also built NanoScript β a custom DOM library for easier web development!
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β’ Jul 18
Thanks! I’ll get that issue fixed right away. Since the architecture wasn’t originally designed for serverless hosting, so did you notice any slowdowns while using it? I couldn’t find a free traditional hosting provider for Express.js, which is why I used for Vercel. Let me know if you have any alternatives for Vercel, and know if you experienced any performance issues!
Creator of Vlox β the ultimate social network! I also built NanoScript β a custom DOM library for easier web development!
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β’ Jul 18 β’ Edited on Jul 18 β’ Edited
The core issue is because my server isn’t designed for serverless hosting, that’s why Vercel failed, though I just gave it a try today. If you know any hosting services that supports traditional node.js hosting for free, please let me know!
For static websites I use netlify
For backend I use render
Creator of Vlox β the ultimate social network! I also built NanoScript β a custom DOM library for easier web development!
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β’ Jul 19
Thanks! π
I will host it on render then share the link with you!
Creator of Vlox β the ultimate social network! I also built NanoScript β a custom DOM library for easier web development!
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β’ Jul 19
I found that render requires a credit card for verification to prevent fraud, right? It keeps asking me while I don’t want to enter my credit card number. Do you have any other hosting that’s truly free?
I have hosted pastedb backend for free
IT has a free plan also
Creator of Vlox β the ultimate social network! I also built NanoScript β a custom DOM library for easier web development!
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β’ Jul 19 β’ Edited on Jul 19 β’ Edited
When I choose the free plan, click Deploy Web Service, I get this:
Why?
I don’t know
I m able to deploy for free
You said enter card first for verification
Are you using normal email password sign-up
Try using Google Login
Creator of Vlox β the ultimate social network! I also built NanoScript β a custom DOM library for easier web development!
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β’ Jul 19
OK, thanks, I will try
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Creator of Vlox β the ultimate social network! I also built NanoScript β a custom DOM library for easier web development!
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Cairo, Egypt
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β’ Jul 17
Super good job ππ
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The first user for me for extension????
Some ONE installed my extension!!!!!
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Nice write-up! For devs who deal with messy copied text, TextStow might help β it’s a Mac menu bar tool combining clipboard history with prompt templates and text cleanup. Free: textstow.com
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Thanks! I appreciate it. π TextStow looks interesting for clipboard management and text cleanup. PasteDB is focused on making it quick to upload and share code snippets (and other content) through shareable links, especially directly from VS Code. Thanks for sharing!
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