URL Shortener
Create a temporary short link for approved, trusted HTTPS services.
The destination URL and short ID are stored in our Cloudflare D1 database for 10 days so the redirect can work. The record expires after that period.
- • ToolsOnDuty and ChooseAWish
- • Google Forms, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Calendar, Maps and Meet
- • YouTube videos, channels and playlists
- • Microsoft Forms, Teams, OneDrive and SharePoint
- • Zoom meetings and webinars
- • GitHub repositories, issues and source files
- • Canva designs and templates
- • LinkedIn profiles, companies and posts
Approval means the host and URL pattern are on our allowlist; it is not an endorsement of user-created content. Never enter a link you do not trust. HTTP links, unknown domains, IP addresses, redirect chains, executable downloads and existing ToolsOnDuty short links are rejected.
Free anonymous use: up to 10 links per IP address per UTC day. We use a one-way salted hash for rate limiting rather than storing the raw IP in the short-link record.
About the URL Shortener
The ToolsOnDuty URL Shortener turns a long approved HTTPS link into a compact ToolsOnDuty link that is easier to share in messages, documents and QR codes.
This is a temporary allowlist-based service, not an unrestricted public redirector. It accepts supported URL patterns from selected trusted platforms such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, YouTube, Zoom and GitHub, while rejecting unknown domains, insecure HTTP links, IP addresses and direct executable downloads.
A short redirect cannot work without remembering its destination. We store the destination URL, an eight-character short ID, service name, source site and timestamps in Cloudflare D1 for 10 days. After expiry the short link stops working and the record is eligible for deletion.
Key features
- Compact ToolsOnDuty short links
- Approved HTTPS hosts and paths only
- Automatic expiry after 10 days
- 10 free links per IP address per UTC day
- Salted one-way IP hash for rate limiting
- Blocks localhost, IP hosts and dangerous downloads
- Clear destination-service confirmation before creation
- One-click copy with expiry and remaining-limit details
How to use
- 1Paste a complete https:// URL from an approved service.
- 2Check the approved-service message shown below the field.
- 3Read the temporary-storage notice and create the short link.
- 4Copy and share the result before its displayed expiry time.
- 5Create a new short link if the old one has expired after 10 days.
Examples
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/example/viewformhttps://toolsonduty.com/s/1a2b3c4dThe generated ID is temporary and resolves to the stored Google Form URL for 10 days.
https://unknown-example.com/pageNot on the approved-services listUnknown domains are blocked even when they use HTTPS.
Frequently asked questions
- Does ToolsOnDuty store the URL I shorten?
- Yes. A short link must map its short ID to the original destination. We store the destination URL, short ID, approved service name, source site and creation/expiry timestamps in Cloudflare D1 for up to 10 days. Do not shorten a URL containing confidential tokens or information you do not want stored temporarily.
- How long does a short link work?
- It works for 10 days from creation. The result shows the exact expiry time. After expiry the redirect returns an expired/not-found response and its database record is eligible for automated deletion.
- How many free links can I create?
- Anonymous visitors can create up to 10 links per IP address per UTC day. The count resets at 00:00 UTC. Shared networks, offices or VPNs may share one limit because several visitors can appear under the same public IP address.
- Do you store my IP address?
- Cloudflare necessarily processes network information to serve and secure requests. For the daily shortener limit, the Worker converts the connecting IP into a salted one-way HMAC hash and stores the hash with the day and count; the raw IP is not placed in the short-link record.
- Which links are approved?
- Supported patterns include ToolsOnDuty, ChooseAWish, Google Forms/Docs/Sheets/Slides/Drive/Calendar/Maps/Meet, YouTube, Microsoft Forms/Teams/OneDrive/SharePoint, Zoom, GitHub, Canva and LinkedIn. Approval is based on the exact HTTPS host and path, not a loose text match.
- Does an approved domain mean every destination is safe?
- No. Trusted platforms can still contain user-created, misleading or compromised content. The allowlist reduces abuse but is not a guarantee or endorsement. Check the destination and sender before opening or sharing any link.
- Why was my trusted link rejected?
- The service accepts only selected safe URL patterns, not every page owned by a large company. Insecure HTTP links, unknown paths, redirect endpoints, localhost/IP hosts, embedded credentials, unusual ports and direct installer/archive downloads are rejected. This conservative policy protects visitors and our domain reputation.
- Can I edit, delete or customize a short link?
- Not in the anonymous free version. Short IDs are generated automatically and expire after 10 days. Account-based management, custom aliases and longer retention may be considered for a future paid plan.
- Can I shorten another short URL?
- No. ToolsOnDuty short-link paths are rejected as destinations to avoid redirect chains and loops. Some tightly constrained official sharing hosts such as forms.gle and youtu.be are accepted only when their path matches the approved service format.