How to implement deep linking with JLRoutes in an iOS app?

Set up URL schemes in Info.plist, register routes in the app delegate using addRoute: with handler blocks, and call routeURL: in openURL:options:. Use parameters like 'userID' to trigger navigation logic.

JLRoutes vs URLNavigator: which should I use?

JLRoutes is lighter and simpler with block-based API, ideal for basic URL handling. URLNavigator offers more features like view controller mapping and SwiftUI support, but JLRoutes excels in minimal code and flexibility for complex schemes.

Can JLRoutes handle universal links on iOS?

No, JLRoutes is designed for custom URL schemes, not universal links. For universal links, you'd need additional setup with Apple's App Site Association files and handle them separately in your app.

How to pass arrays or dictionaries as parameters with JLRoutes?

Encode complex data into query strings or use JSON in URL parameters, then parse them manually in the handler block. JLRoutes only automatically extracts simple key-value pairs from the URL.

Is JLRoutes compatible with SwiftUI projects?

Yes, but it requires bridging to UIKit/AppKit for navigation. You can use handler blocks to update SwiftUI state or present views, but it's not natively integrated like some SwiftUI-first routing libraries.

How to test and debug routes in JLRoutes?

Enable verbose logging with setVerboseLoggingEnabled: and use the routes method to query all registered routes programmatically, which can help build debug UIs or verify route matching.

JLRoutes — Block-Based URL Routing Library

What is JLRoutes?

JLRoutes is a URL routing library for iOS and macOS applications that simplifies handling complex URL schemes through a block-based API. It allows developers to map URLs to specific handler blocks, making it easy to implement deep linking, inter-app communication, and organized navigation patterns. The library automatically extracts URL parameters and supports advanced features like wildcards and optional route segments.

Target Audience

iOS and macOS developers building applications that require deep linking, custom URL scheme handling, or modular navigation architecture.

Value Proposition

Developers choose JLRoutes for its minimal code approach, flexible block-based API, and comprehensive feature set that includes scheme namespacing, parameter parsing, and wildcard support—all without the overhead of larger routing frameworks.

URL routing library for iOS with a simple block-based API

Use Cases

Best For

Implementing deep linking in iOS apps with custom URL schemes
Handling inter-app communication via URL routing
Organizing navigation logic in modular iOS applications
Creating debug UIs that display all registered routes
Managing complex URL patterns with wildcards and optional parameters
Building apps that require separate routing for different URL schemes

Not Ideal For

Apps built exclusively with SwiftUI that prefer declarative routing integrated with the framework
Projects requiring cross-platform URL routing across iOS, Android, and web
Teams wanting automatic view controller presentation or navigation stack management without extra code
Applications needing extensive middleware, plugin ecosystems, or built-in state management

Pros & Cons

Pros

Simple Block-Based API

Uses intuitive handler blocks for route registration, minimizing code complexity as shown in the basic example with '/user/view/:userID'.

Flexible Scheme Namespacing

Organizes routes into separate URL schemes for modular routing, allowing per-scheme handlers and fallback options, detailed in the schemes section.

Automatic Parameter Extraction

Parses URL path components and query parameters into a dictionary automatically, reducing boilerplate for handling inputs like 'userID' or query strings.

Advanced Pattern Matching

Supports wildcards and optional route segments for complex URLs, enabling routes like '/wildcard/*' and '/the(/foo/:a)', as demonstrated in the README.

Cons

No Built-in Navigation Helpers

Does not handle UI navigation automatically; developers must implement view controller presentation or stack changes separately in handler blocks, adding overhead.

Objective-C Legacy Focus

Primarily designed for Objective-C, and while Swift-compatible, it lacks native support for Swift features like enums or type-safe routing, which newer libraries offer.

Manual Setup Required

Requires configuring URL schemes in Info.plist and app delegate methods, adding initial complexity compared to more integrated solutions.

What is JLRoutes?

Target Audience

iOS and macOS developers building applications that require deep linking, custom URL scheme handling, or modular navigation architecture.

Value Proposition

Use Cases

Best For

Implementing deep linking in iOS apps with custom URL schemes
Handling inter-app communication via URL routing
Organizing navigation logic in modular iOS applications
Creating debug UIs that display all registered routes
Managing complex URL patterns with wildcards and optional parameters
Building apps that require separate routing for different URL schemes

Not Ideal For

Apps built exclusively with SwiftUI that prefer declarative routing integrated with the framework
Projects requiring cross-platform URL routing across iOS, Android, and web
Teams wanting automatic view controller presentation or navigation stack management without extra code
Applications needing extensive middleware, plugin ecosystems, or built-in state management

Pros & Cons

Pros

Simple Block-Based API

Uses intuitive handler blocks for route registration, minimizing code complexity as shown in the basic example with '/user/view/:userID'.

Flexible Scheme Namespacing

Organizes routes into separate URL schemes for modular routing, allowing per-scheme handlers and fallback options, detailed in the schemes section.

Automatic Parameter Extraction

Parses URL path components and query parameters into a dictionary automatically, reducing boilerplate for handling inputs like 'userID' or query strings.

Advanced Pattern Matching

Supports wildcards and optional route segments for complex URLs, enabling routes like '/wildcard/*' and '/the(/foo/:a)', as demonstrated in the README.

Cons

No Built-in Navigation Helpers

Does not handle UI navigation automatically; developers must implement view controller presentation or stack changes separately in handler blocks, adding overhead.

Objective-C Legacy Focus

Primarily designed for Objective-C, and while Swift-compatible, it lacks native support for Swift features like enums or type-safe routing, which newer libraries offer.

Manual Setup Required

Requires configuring URL schemes in Info.plist and app delegate methods, adding initial complexity compared to more integrated solutions.

JLRoutes

What is JLRoutes?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

JLRoutes

What is JLRoutes?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?