NodeTie

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NodeTie is a Windows tray application for creating and opening deep links to local files and URLs. Conceptually similar to Hookmark but for Windows machines. A work in progress.

NodeTie

NodeTie is a Windows tray application for creating and opening deep links to local files and URLs.

The project is conceptually similar to Hookmark, but the implementation is Windows-specific and built around a custom winlink:// URI scheme.

Notes: This is my first vibe-coded project, so yeah, there's that. I have used this extensively, especially the dynamic file links pasted into Obsidian. I never had anything wrong going on with this. There is no need for internet or network in any way. I used it on my computer only, I have never linked to files that are on network drives, for example. 

Quick Start

  1. Install the application (download latest release from here).
  2. After install, it will show on the icon tray. 
  3. You can change shortcuts there. The defaults are CTRL-ALT-K to copy one or more links to the clipboard ready to be pasted to Obsidian or OneNote, you can also select which one on settings and CTRL-H to invoke the link pop-up. You can paste links to one or more files when the pop-up is in focus with CTRL-V.
  4. See details on the following screenshots:

It shows on the icon tray like this. Most important here are the settings as most other things you just do with keyboard shortcuts. 

When you copy a file(s) (by selecting it/ them on Windows Explorer) or when Word, Excel or a Browser (will copy the URL) is in focus, this notification will pop up. You can then paste the link to Obsidian or OneNote, depending on your selection.

This is the link pop-up where you can see the files that are linked to the selected file. You can jump from one to the others. By default, this panel is invoked with CTRL-H.

Problem Scope

Typical file links are path-based. If a file is moved, links can break.

NodeTie addresses this by encoding two values in generated links:

  1. The current path
  2. A stable file identifier (sid)

When a deep link is opened, NodeTie can resolve by path first, then fall back to stable-ID-based lookup for moved files on the same volume.

NOTES AND TODOs

Hookmark Feature Mapping

The table below maps common Hookmark-style capabilities to NodeTie's current implementation.

Hookmark-style capability NodeTie implementation Status
Copy link to current item Global hotkey resolves active context and copies a winlink:// deep link Implemented
Durable links after file move Link includes sid; resolver attempts stable-ID relocation Implemented (same volume)
Copy links from file manager selection Explorer context supports selected-path collection and multi-copy Implemented
Copy link from browser tab Active browser URL capture and normalization (http, https, file) Implemented; tested on Microsoft Edge and Firefox
Copy link while editing Office document Foreground-gated Office active context capture Implemented for Word and Excel
Paste-ready note output Obsidian markdown output and OneNote HTML/plain clipboard output Implemented
Open deep links from notes winlink:// protocol registration and decode/open handler Implemented
Related-items panel Persisted undirected links and linked-files UI Implemented
Bookmarking Bookmark repository/service + bookmarks window Implemented
Broad app integration matrix Explorer + browser + Office active-context providers Partial

Current Workflows

  1. Copy a link for the current file or Explorer selection.
  2. Paste into Obsidian or OneNote.
  3. Move the file within the same volume.
  4. Open the existing deep link.

If path resolution fails, NodeTie attempts stable-ID resolution.

Browser URLs

NodeTie can capture the active browser tab URL and generate link content for note tools.

Validated browsers: Microsoft Edge and Firefox.

Office files while in focus

When Word or Excel is the foreground app, NodeTie can capture the active document/workbook path and copy a deep link from that live editing context.

Limitations

Notes on Intended Usage