Overview

UsefulWebTools.com is a comprehensive collection of practical web-based tools and scripts designed to solve everyday problems for developers, content creators, and general users. With over 21 tools spanning 11 categories, the site provides client-side solutions that prioritize user privacy and functionality.

Key Achievement: This project demonstrates the power of client-side web applications, with most tools running entirely in the browser without server dependencies, ensuring user data privacy and instant availability.

Tool Categories & Features

Tool list accurate as of 26 August 2025

Data (1 tools)

Context Driven Development PoC

Last updated: 2025-01-31

Context driven development PoC

Development (1 tools)

Regex Tester

Last updated: 2024-10-28

A web-based regex test tool where you can input text and regex expressions, view group values, and dynamically see the results. Features include multi-line input, multi-regex support, result highlighting, a collapsible regex feature reference with interactive highlighting, and local storage of data for future sessions.

Entertainment (3 tools)

Soundbath

Last updated: 2025-03-03

Immerse yourself in relaxing generated sounds - great for meditation practice, or for a calmer, more peaceful environment. You can select which sounds to include in your soundbath and whether to level the sound, and adjust how many instruments can play simultaneously, and adjust the peace factor to increase sparseness of playing, or spatial feature to place instruments around your field of hearing. You can even preview the sounds to see if you want to include them in your soundbath. All sounds can be enabled / disabled with a button press. All controls work during the soundbath so you can adjust everything as the soundbath is in progress - be your own soundbath DJ!!! The sounds are stored in the browser for you to use next time once you have your favourite sounds.

Advent Calendar Wishes

Last updated: 2025-02-21

Delicious daily advent gifts - new backdrop and music selection every day - and make a daily wish!

Word Runner

Last updated: 2024-11-21

A fast-paced jumping game where where you collect letters to make real words and lock in the longest you can to get your highest score.

Health (1 tools)

Weight Loss Calculator

Last updated: 2024-11-22

Calculate your weight loss journey with detailed weekly projections. Features include BMR calculation, exercise tracking with MET values, adjustable weekly exercise increments, and calorie intake planning. Visualizes progress with interactive charts.

Hybris (1 tools)

Hybris Groovy Scripts section

Last updated: 2024-12-05

Hybris scripts that I find helpful so sharing with others in case they find them helpful. Initial scripts for viewing a type / attribute hierarchy with relationships, and another for showing the azure connection string for an environment.

PowerShell Script (1 tools)

File Organizer Script

Last updated: 2024-11-12

PowerShell script for organizing files in a directory by first letter or year, with options for moving or copying files from a specified source. Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Python Script (3 tools)

Site SEO Helper Tool

Last updated: 2024-11-13

SEO Helper tool which will generate a sitemap.xml and robots.txt file for your site, and also check for various possible SEO issues on your pages

FTP Site Uploader

Last updated: 2024-11-11

Python script for taking selected files and folders on your computer and uploading changes only recursively to a server - perfect for updating a website (like this one which uses this script!) Options for checking which files will be impacted, doing a dry run without changes, and the actual upload.

HTTP Caching Web Server

Last updated: 2024-11-10

Python script for starting a simple HTTP server with flexible cache control settings for testing or lightweight deployment, allowing for customizable cache durations and directory selection.

Security (1 tools)

Password Generator

Last updated: 2024-10-31

Create secure passwords with customizable options such as length, character types (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols, emojis, custom), and the ability to generate passwords based on specific words. The tool features auto-generation, multiple generation, ensuring strong password security for a variety of situations.

Site (1 tools)

User login

Last updated: 2024-11-19

Ability to log in and log out of web site from any page. Other user information may be added here in the future - can be viewed from the local storage viewer page.

Tool (7 tools)

Kanban App

Last updated: 2025-02-26

Multi-level Kanban app. Create kanban board(s), then create lists on the boards with items in the lists. Then drill down further and the list can become a new board with even more detail if you need. Stores data in indexeddb on the browser. Drag & Drop, Cut/Copy/Paste whole sections. Recycle bin. The database data can also be exported and imported using the site data tool alongside local data.

Data Stored on this site

Last updated: 2025-02-10

View, edit, remove, export and import all the information that is being stored for this site in local storage on the browser for each app that uses local storage. Even add your own data!

CSV Analysis tool

Last updated: 2025-02-04

Load a CSV file into memory, and analyze its structure, including data types, data ranges and statistics - great for getting a first view of a CSV data file you have received.

Ollama Chat Tester

Last updated: 2025-02-03

Try out Ollama Chat and Chat with Vision capabilities locally on your computer with a prompt and uploading an image. The image will be processed and the results displayed. Includes a chat history and the ability to save, load, and combine chat logs, delete and recall history items. Download Ollama and make sure the REST service is running. In Terminal, run launchctl setenv OLLAMA_ORIGINS https://usefulwebtools.com first to let Ollama know it can accept requests from the tool.

UUEncoder / Decoder

Last updated: 2024-11-03

Convert text to UUEncoded format or decode UUEncoded text back to plain text. Also download UUencoded file to binary format, or upload a file to be UUEncoded. UUEncoding is a method of encoding binary data for transmission over text-based protocols.

QR Code Generator

Last updated: 2024-11-01

Generate QR codes using templates for Web URLs, phone numbers, SMS, location, Wifi, Contact Card, Email Address etc. Customize the size, border, QR version and error correction level of the QR code or just choose the default. You can even pass parameters to use this in an automated process to generate and download a QR code automatically to your preferred file name. All client-side so nice and secure!

Base64 Encoder / Decoder

Last updated: 2024-10-30

Created a simple base64 encoder/decoder tool. Swap and clear text

Vision (1 tools)

Image Capture from Camera and Document Scanner

Last updated: 2025-01-29

Take a series of images from your camera and select ones to download. Also includes a document scanner feature to take a picture of a document with edge detection.

Technical Architecture

Frontend Technologies

  • Vanilla JavaScript: Core functionality for maximum compatibility
  • HTML5 APIs: Camera access, local storage, file handling
  • CSS3: Responsive design and modern UI components
  • IndexedDB: Client-side database for complex data storage
  • Canvas API: Image processing and document scanning
  • Web Audio API: Sound generation and audio manipulation

Backend Scripts

  • Python: Server-side utilities and automation scripts
  • PowerShell: Cross-platform file management tools
  • Shell Scripts: Deployment and maintenance automation
  • FTP Integration: Automated site deployment system

Key Technical Features

  • Client-Side Privacy: Most tools process data locally in the browser
  • Progressive Web App: Offline capability and mobile optimization
  • Local Storage Integration: Persistent user preferences and data
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works on desktop and mobile browsers
  • No Registration Required: Instant access to all tools

Automated Content Management

This project includes a sophisticated content management system that automatically generates Hugo shortcode content from JSON data:

Content Generation System

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# Update web tools content automatically
python scripts/generate-webtools-content.py

The system:

  • Reads tool metadata from the external UsefulWebTools.com project JSON data
  • Generates organized Hugo shortcode content with expandable sections
  • Automatically categorizes tools by type (Development, Entertainment, Security, etc.)
  • Updates the Hugo site content without manual intervention
  • Maintains up-to-date tool listings with current dates and descriptions

Development Tools

  • Regex Tester: Full-featured regex testing with group visualization
  • Base64/UUEncoder: Multiple encoding/decoding utilities
  • CSV Analysis Tool: Comprehensive data structure analysis

Productivity Applications

  • Multi-Level Kanban App: Advanced project management with drill-down capability
  • QR Code Generator: Template-based QR generation with customization
  • Password Generator: Secure password creation with multiple options

Entertainment & Wellness

  • Soundbath: AI-generated relaxing soundscapes for meditation
  • Word Runner: Fast-paced word collection game
  • Advent Calendar: Interactive daily experience with music and visuals

System Utilities

  • File Organizer Script: Automated directory organization
  • HTTP Caching Web Server: Development server with flexible cache control
  • Site SEO Helper: Automated sitemap and robots.txt generation

Development Philosophy

User-Centric Design

  • No Registration: Instant access to all functionality
  • Privacy First: Client-side processing whenever possible
  • Mobile Optimized: Responsive design for all screen sizes
  • Accessibility: Keyboard navigation and screen reader support

Technical Excellence

  • Performance Focused: Minimal dependencies and optimized code
  • Browser Compatibility: Works across all modern browsers
  • Progressive Enhancement: Core functionality works without JavaScript
  • Error Handling: Graceful degradation and user-friendly error messages

Real-World Applications

Professional Use Cases

  • Web Developers: Regex testing, base64 encoding, CSV analysis
  • Content Creators: QR code generation, image capture, password security
  • System Administrators: File organization, HTTP testing, SEO analysis
  • Project Managers: Kanban boards, data organization, scheduling tools

Personal Productivity

  • Digital Wellness: Soundbath meditation, weight loss tracking
  • Security: Password generation, data encoding/decoding
  • Organization: File management, local data storage management
  • Entertainment: Games, interactive calendars, creative tools

Automation & Deployment

Continuous Integration

  • Automated Testing: JavaScript unit tests and browser compatibility checks
  • FTP Deployment: Custom Python script for incremental updates
  • Content Synchronization: Automated tool metadata updates
  • Performance Monitoring: Client-side performance tracking

Maintenance Systems

  • JSON-Driven Content: Tool metadata drives site generation
  • Version Control: Git-based development with automated deployments
  • Backup Systems: Multiple redundancy layers for data protection
  • Update Workflows: Streamlined process for adding new tools

Open Source Impact

Community Benefits

  • Free Access: All tools available without cost or registration
  • Educational Value: Source code examples for web development learning
  • Practical Solutions: Real-world tools solving everyday problems
  • Privacy Respect: No data collection or user tracking

Technical Contributions

  • Client-Side Techniques: Advanced browser API usage examples
  • Progressive Web App: Modern PWA implementation patterns
  • Performance Optimization: Efficient JavaScript and CSS techniques
  • Accessibility Standards: WCAG-compliant implementation examples

Future Development

Planned Features

  • API Integration: External service connections while maintaining privacy
  • Advanced Analytics: Client-side usage statistics and optimization
  • Tool Customization: User-configurable interfaces and preferences
  • Mobile App: Native mobile applications for enhanced functionality

Technical Roadmap

  • WebAssembly Integration: High-performance computation for complex tools
  • Offline Synchronization: Enhanced PWA capabilities with background sync
  • Plugin Architecture: Extensible system for community-contributed tools
  • Advanced Encryption: Client-side cryptographic tools and utilities

Live Site: usefulwebtools.com Contact: simon@simonhuggins.com Tools Count: 21+ active tools Categories: 11 different tool categories Architecture: Client-side focused with Python automation