The Problem (Pain Intensity: 7/10)
As documentation and READMEs pile up, so do broken links.
- Documentation/websites accumulate broken links over time
- Existing tools (lychee, linkchecker) only detect, fixing is manual
- Open source projects lack maintainer bandwidth to address them
- Broken links cause SEO score drops and poor UX
- CI throws warnings but nobody fixes them
Detection is easy, but fixing is tedious.
Target Market
- Primary Market: GLOBAL
- Target Segment: Open source maintainers, technical writers, documentation teams, DevRel
- Estimated TAM: Niche market but viral potential in developer tools
We’re in an era where documentation quality is a competitive advantage.
What is Broken Link Auto-Fixer?
Broken Link Auto-Fixer detects broken links, finds replacement URLs, and automatically proposes fixes via GitHub PRs.
Core Features
- Broken Link Detection: Scan Markdown, HTML, RST files
- Wayback Machine Search: Find archived versions of dead URLs
- Auto GitHub PR Creation: Open PRs with fix suggestions
- Scheduling: Weekly/monthly automatic scan setup
- CI Integration: Check every PR via GitHub Actions
Differentiated Approach
❌ lychee: Detect broken links → output report
❌ linkchecker: Detect broken links → manual fix needed
✅ Our tool: Detect → find alternatives → auto-create PR
Competitive Analysis
| Competitor/Tool | Price | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| lychee | Free (OSS) | Detection only, no fixing |
| linkchecker | Free (OSS) | Detection only, no fixing |
| Ahrefs | $99/mo+ | SEO tool, poor dev workflow fit |
| Dead Link Checker | Free/Paid | Web-based, no CI integration |
Differentiation: Existing tools stop at detection. We automate the fix.
MVP Development
- Estimated Timeline: 4-6 weeks
- Complexity: LOW-MEDIUM
- Tech Fit Score: 9/10
Recommended Stack
Backend: Node.js/Go
Link Checker: Wrap lychee or custom implementation
Archive API: Wayback Machine API
GitHub: Octokit (GitHub API)
CI: GitHub Actions
Deployment: Docker/Vercel
MVP Scope
- CLI to scan repository
- Generate broken link list
- Search Wayback Machine for alternatives
- Auto-create GitHub PR
- Provide GitHub Actions template
Revenue Model
- Model: USAGE-BASED
- Pricing:
- Free: Public repos, 100 links/month
- Pro: $9/mo (private repos, 5,000 links/month)
- Team: $29/mo (org repos, unlimited links)
- MRR 6-month estimate: $1,500
- MRR 12-month estimate: $5,000
Risk Analysis
| Risk | Level | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | LOW | Built on proven tools (lychee) |
| Market | MEDIUM | Niche market, needs developer viral |
| Execution | LOW | 4-6 week MVP, clear scope |
Recommended For
- Those wanting GitHub API/Actions experience
- Open source maintainers running projects
- Indie makers interested in building developer tools
- Technical writers who care about documentation quality
- Anyone targeting developer communities on ProductHunt
💡 Idea Source: An MVP for “auto-fixing broken links via GitHub PRs” was shared on Reddit r/SaaS.
If you’ve started this side project or have thoughts, share in the comments!