{
  "id": 11590303,
  "title": "I built CompressGIF: local GIF compression, plus REST and MCP APIs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/i-built-compressgif-local-gif-compression-plus-rest-and-mcp-apis",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-03T03:12:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dev.to",
    "slug": "dev-to",
    "url": "https://dev.to/jy_wang_2c4d36f4d66adea80/i-built-compressgif-local-gif-compression-plus-rest-and-mcp-apis-8jd"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "GIF files can be useful for documentation and demos, but they often exceed upload limits. CompressGIF is a tool I developed to help compress GIFs for these purposes. It offers a browser compressor for local files and a separate cloud API for automation. On the browser, users can choose from three modes: prioritize quality, size, or target a specific maximum file size. The tool uses Gifsicle to handle compression, preserving animation details whenever possible. If a target size cannot be reached, the smallest valid candidate is kept, including the original if compression does not improve it.\n\nFor developers and automated workflows, a REST API provides an asynchronous compression service. After uploading a GIF or providing a URL, users can poll for the status and download the compressed file once it's ready. The API key must be kept secure, preferably in an environment variable. A paid Pro version offers larger batch sizes, custom target sizes, and ZIP downloads.\n\nThe Streamable HTTP endpoint exposes an MCP client, allowing users to interact with the same compression tools through a different interface. Free API access includes 500 credits per month, with cost varying based on the compression mode. Privacy is maintained for browser-based compression, as the file remains on the user's device. For more information, see the CompressGIF and REST/MCP documentation.",
  "summary": "A GIF can be useful in a README, bug report, or product demo—and still be too large to attach. Getting it below an upload limit often means trying compression settings, checking the animation, and trying again. I’m sharing CompressGIF , a tool I built for that workflow. It has a browser compressor for local files and a separate cloud API for automation. Start with the browser tool The free…",
  "key_points": [
    "CompressGIF tool compresses GIF files for documentation and demos",
    "Browser compressor offers quality, size, or size-target modes",
    "REST API provides asynchronous compression service for developers"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The CompressGIF tool's combination of local compression and automated APIs shifts the balance between ease of use and control, giving users more flexibility in handling large GIF files.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}