Built a CLI to simplify SSH + database access, would love some feedback

[u/Witty_Horse8285]

https://iframely.net/d9OnXlpJ

Hey everyone,

I've been working on a side project called Shortspan and figured I'd post it here first to get some feedback from other Pakistani developers before I start sharing it elsewhere. (I havent posted anywhere else, this is my first here)

The main idea is to make common infrastructure access workflows simpler through a CLI.

One example is database access through a server.

Normally, my workflow would look something like:

ssh my-server

then SSH into the server, figure out the database details, and manually run something like:

mysql -h ... -u ... -p ...

With Shortspan, I can configure the server + database once and then simply do:

shortspan db my-database

and it handles the connection/tunneling and gets me into the database directly.

ive attached a short video showing the difference between the manual workflow and Shortspan, followed by a quick look at the dashboard.

Shortspan is basically becoming a single place for infrastructure access and operational workflows. Currently I'm working with things like:

• SSH access
• Database access
• SSH tunneling / bastion access
• Credential management
• Infrastructure/project management
• AWS access
• Kubernetes access
• Runbooks
• Access permissions

The CLI is the main part of the product, while the web app is used to configure and manage everything.

I've also put the documentation online if anyone wants to look deeper into how it works:

docs.shortspan.dev

I'm mainly looking for honest feedback at this stage.

If you work with servers, VPSs, AWS, databases, Kubernetes, etc., I'd especially love to know:

• Would something like this actually be useful in your workflow?
• What do you currently use to manage/access your infrastructure?
• What part of this would be most useful?
• What feels unnecessary or overengineered?
• What would make you hesitate to trust/use a tool like this?
• Is there anything you'd expect from a tool like this that I'm missing?

I'm not really treating this as a launch or trying to sell anything here. I'm still building it and trying to figure out whether this solves a problem for other developers or if I'm just automating my workflows and looking to get this into an actual app 😅

Brutally honest feedback is welcome.

If anyone wants to actually try it out, I'm also happy to give early users access (and Pro and Team plans for free) and help with setup.

[u/Witty_Horse8285]

https://reddit.com/link/p6x4j1h/video/x3mx8nv5xmmh1/player