Tethered
Easily Collect Web Feedback and Report Bugs with Tether's Streamlined Platform
Web development projects rely heavily on feedback mechanisms to ensure smooth functionality and user satisfaction. While numerous tools exist for collecting user feedback, many require significant technical expertise or integration complexities. Tether addresses these challenges by providing a straightforward platform for web feedback and bug reporting. This comprehensive guide walks you through the process of setting up and utilizing Tether, from account creation and installation to advanced features like team collaboration and project management.
Quick Start Guide
- Account Creation
Navigate to the Tether sign-up page at https://app.tethered.dev/register. Enter your full name, email address, and password. Click the "Create Free Account" button. A verification email will be sent to your registered email address. Click the verification link to activate your account.
For alternative sign-up methods, you can use one-click registration through GitHub or Google login buttons. These methods verify your email ownership through existing accounts without requiring additional steps.
- Installation
Tether integration requires pasting a JavaScript code snippet into your web application's HTML file. The installation script includes attributes for project ID, token, and UUID. Place the script in the <head> of every page where Tether functionality is needed, adjusting placement for different application structures:
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Single HTML file: Paste into
<head> -
Multiple HTML files: Paste into
<headof all pages -
Templating engines (Blade, Pug): Paste into layout file or view
<body> -
Frameworks (React, Vue): Paste into root HTML file
<head>
The script uses the defer attribute to prevent HTML parsing blocking while Tether loads. While best practice is to use <head>, it can also be placed in the <body> for conditional rendering scenarios. Ensure secure HTTPS (SSL/TLS) connections for features like pixel-perfect screenshots and screen recording.
- Project Setup
Project creation requires defining whether it's an internal or external project:
Internal Projects:
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Navigate to Projects page
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Click "New Project" button
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Select project type: Internal (dev/staging environment)
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Single project can be used for any path under single domain
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Must create new Project for different subdomain
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Supports wildcard subdomains (e.g. *.tethered.dev)
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Tether disregards
wwwprefix when validating request origins
External Projects:
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Project creation available up to 1 project on Free tier plan
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Requires paid plan subscription for additional projects
After creating a project, you'll need to add the configuration script to your project's domain. Do not include the protocol (e.g. https://) or www prefix in the domain definition.
- Updating to Tether 2.0
Updating to the latest version takes less than 2 minutes. Go to the settings page for any project, click on "Client," then toggle off the legacy UI switch. This change needs to be made for each project that you want to update. Sign in using your Tether credentials to access the new side menu. Open it using the §B key and you should now see the updated interface, which enables direct reporting and collaboration on your site.
The Chrome extension remains unchanged, allowing users to continue reporting feedback through existing projects. Team members must be added to their team from the team settings page to view this feedback in the new side menu.
Core Features and Functionality
Tether's core functionality revolves around web feedback collection, automation of technical data, and seamless team collaboration. The platform enables users to capture screenshots and recordings directly from their browser with a single click, while simultaneously gathering essential technical metadata to help teams quickly identify and resolve issues.
The tool's integration capabilities significantly enhance its utility, supporting connections with popular project management and communication platforms including Slack, Notion, Trello, Jira, Asana, and Linear. This integration ensures that all feedback remains in a single, centralized location, improving team efficiency and project management.
Aztech's Co-Founder Gordon Frayne reported substantial time savings and improved project management through Tether's implementation, demonstrating the platform's effectiveness across various team sizes and organizational structures. The tool's accessibility across multiple devices, including mobile, makes it suitable for both internal stakeholder feedback and direct user reporting.
Project Setup and Management
Project creation requires selecting between internal and external project types. Internal projects support team and stakeholder feedback, bug reporting, and issue resolution, requiring a paid plan subscription. External projects enable end-user feedback and are available on the Free tier plan for up to one project.
The creation process involves navigating to the Projects page, clicking "New Project," and selecting the appropriate project type. Single projects can be used for any path under a single domain, though new projects must be created for different subdomains. Wildcard subdomains (e.g., .tethered.dev) are supported, but specific top-level domains like app..dev are not. Tether disregards the www prefix when validating request origins.
To configure a project, add the necessary JavaScript code snippet to your domain, ensuring not to include the protocol (https://) or www prefix. Installation placement follows these guidelines based on your application structure:
-
Single HTML file: Paste into
<head> -
Multiple HTML files: Paste into
<headof all pages -
Templating engines (Blade, Pug): Paste into layout file or view
<body> -
Frameworks (React, Vue): Paste into root HTML file
<head>
The script includes a defer attribute to prevent HTML parsing blocking while Tether loads. While best practice is to place the script in the <head>, it can also be placed in the <body> for conditional rendering scenarios. Secure HTTPS (SSL/TLS) connections are required for features like pixel-perfect screenshots and screen recording.
Once installed, project management enables tracking and resolving feedback through a centralized dashboard. Integration capabilities support connections with popular project management and communication platforms including Slack, Notion, Trello, Jira, Asana, and Linear. Each feature enables efficient team collaboration and maintains all feedback in a single source of truth.
Integration and Compatibility
Tether supports integration with a wide range of platforms and applications, making it versatile for different team structures and project requirements. The tool enables automated data collection and analysis, reducing manual processes and improving efficiency.
Integration Capabilities and Services
Tether works seamlessly with popular project management and communication tools including Slack, Notion, Trello, Jira, Asana, and Linear. This integration maintains all feedback in a unified dashboard, improving team collaboration and documentation. The platform also supports Zapier integration, allowing users to connect with additional services.
Technical Requirements and Support
Web development teams can implement Tether using the company's official JavaScript code snippet. Basic installation requires adding a single line of code to the project's repository, with options for integrating via Google Tag Manager. The tool's core functionality operates over secure HTTPS (SSL/TLS) connections, essential for features like pixel-perfect screenshots and screen recording.
The platform supports all responsive web applications, including mobile devices, making it accessible across various deployment scenarios. Domain setup follows specific requirements: single projects can cover any path under a single domain, but new projects are needed for different subdomains. Wildcard subdomains (e.g., .tethered.dev) are supported, though some top-level domains with specific patterns (e.g., app..dev) are not compatible. The system disregards the www prefix when validating request origins.
Reporting and Technical Data Collection
Feedback submission begins with a simple browser-based capture mechanism that requires no special technical expertise from team members. Users initiate the process with a single click, which triggers the capture of both visual content and essential technical details. These elements are stored in a centralized dashboard designed for management, assignment, and resolution of reported issues.
Team Collaboration Features
The platform enhances collaboration through its centralized feedback management system. Team members receive notifications for new reports and updates, ensuring all stakeholders remain aligned throughout the resolution process. Internal projects support both team and stakeholder feedback, requiring a paid subscription for access. External projects enable direct user reporting and are available on the Free tier plan for one project.
Team Collaboration and Reporting
Tether's core value proposition centers on streamlining web feedback collection while maintaining a single source of truth for all reported issues. This approach aligns with best practices observed across multiple adopters, including Aztech, Loop Support, and Velochair.
The platform enables seamless collaboration across team members through centralized feedback management. Team members receive automatic notifications for new reports and updates, facilitating consistent communication and documentation. Implementation scales effectively for organizations of all sizes, particularly benefiting web agencies and SaaS companies.
Installation requires minimal technical expertise, with a straightforward process confirmed by multiple client implementations. Feedback submission begins with a simple browser-based mechanism requiring no specialized technical knowledge. Technical metadata is automatically captured alongside visual content, streamlining the issue resolution process for development teams.
Aztech's Co-Founder Gordon Frayne reported significant time savings and improved project management following Tether's deployment, highlighting the platform's effectiveness across various team structures. The tool maintains compatibility with all responsive web applications, including mobile devices, through its secure HTTPS implementation and flexible integration options.