Can I code this? A QR Code Generator With Scan Tracking
Generating a QR code is one line with a mature open-source library. A 'dynamic' trackable code is really just this register's URL-shortener pattern wearing a different hat.
Build it
Effort: an eveningRunning cost: $0/mo to start
Why CanICodeThis says Build it
Generating a static QR code from a URL is a solved problem with mature open-source libraries
A 'dynamic' QR code (editable destination after printing) is just a short link the code points at, which you repoint anytime
Basic scan-count tracking shares the same pattern as any link shortener
The parts that'll cause problems
Custom-branded QR codes (a logo embedded in the code) need a bit more image-compositing care
Scan analytics broken down by location and device need real geolocation and user-agent parsing
Bulk generation for large campaigns adds real queue-management scope
How I'd build this
frontend
Astro or Next.js
database
Turso (SQLite)
hosting
Cloudflare Pages
MVP scope
Create a short link
Generate a QR code image pointing at it via an existing library
Track scan counts
Postpone to v2
Custom-branded QR codes with an embedded logo
Location/device breakdown analytics
Bulk generation
What it actually costs to build
AI agent — with a subscription (Claude Pro/Max, Cursor, etc.)
$0 marginal
AI agent — pay-per-use API, no subscription
$16–$27 one-time
Hosting, once it's running
$0/mo (free tier)
Domain name, if you want your own
~$12/yr
Existing tools solving a similar problem typically run $5–$35/mo — see how they compare below.
The build prompt
Build me a QR code generator: create a short link (using this register's own URL-shortener pattern), generate a QR code image pointing at that short link with an existing QR-generation library, and track scan counts. Editing the short link's destination later changes where the QR code leads with no need to reprint it.