Why I Built a Client-Side Alternative to Common Dev Tools

The Problem: "Where did my API key just go?" ## Key Features for Developers We all do it. You have a messy JSON blob, you Google "JSON formatter," click the first result, and paste your data. But halfway through, you realize: "Wait, I just pasted a production config file with client IDs into a random website." Most free developer tool sites have two major problems: ** Privacy Risks: **You don't know if your code is being sent to a backend server (or logged). ** Bloat:** They are often covered in ads, pop-ups, and require 5 seconds just to load a simple script. I wanted a toolkit that I could trust—one that felt like a native app but lived in the browser. So, I built ToolsHref.com. The Solution: 100% Client-Side Processing ToolsHref is a collection of utilities (Converters, Visualizers, Parsers) built with a single rule: Data never leaves your browser. Whether you are formatting Java code, parsing a date string, or visualizing a dependency tree, the logic runs locally in your browser's JavaScript engine. If you disconnect your internet, the tools still work. I focused on the tools I actually needed during my day-to-day work as a Java/Web developer: ** JSON to Mermaid Visualizer:** Stop trying to mentally parse nested JSON objects. This tool instantly converts raw JSON into a Mermaid flow diagram. It’s a lifesaver for debugging API responses. ** NPM Dependency Visualizer:** "Dependency Hell" is real. I built a visualizer that renders your package.json dependencies graphically, so you can spot version conflicts instantly. ** Java Utilities: **As a Java dev, I needed a quick way to generate POJOs from JSON or analyze static code without waiting for my IDE to index. ** No Login**: No "Sign up to see the rest of the output" nonsense. I’m actively adding more tools based on what I find missing in my own workflow. I’d love for you to give it a try and let me know what other "micro-tools" would help you save time. 👉 Try it here: toolshref.com Templates let you quickly answer FAQs or store snippets for re-use. "I'm the creator here! I built this because I was paranoid about pasting client data into random online formatters, so I made sure everything runs locally. I'm looking to add 2-3 more tools this weekend. Question for everyone: What is the one 'micro-tool' or converter you find yourself Googling for every week? Let me know and I'll see if I can build it." Are you sure you want to hide this comment? It will become hidden in your post, but will still be visible via the comment's permalink. Hide child comments as well For further actions, you may consider blocking this person and/or reporting abuse CODE_BLOCK: **Speed**: No backend calls means instant output. **Privacy**: Your proprietary code stays on your machine. Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: **Speed**: No backend calls means instant output. **Privacy**: Your proprietary code stays on your machine. CODE_BLOCK: **Speed**: No backend calls means instant output. **Privacy**: Your proprietary code stays on your machine. - Joined Dec 10, 2025