---
title: Activate URL Shortener
slug: activate-url-shortener
docTags: 
createdAt: 2025-06-11T20:26:17.824Z
---

## Overview

**Activate To Links** are a new feature in Activate that allow you to create **shortcut URLs** — short, memorable links that redirect users to specific tools, dashboards, articles, or other resources within your Activate environment.

This functionality is available in customer-hosted installations and is designed to simplify navigation, improve usability, and make it easier to share internal resources. Instead of long, complex URLs, you can use clean, branded links like:

```text
https://youractivateserver/to/interesting-article-to-read
```

This link will automatically redirect users to the full destination page, such as an internal article or tool, based on a simple configuration.

## What Is an Activate To Link?

An **Activate To Link** is a simplified URL that maps to a longer internal route within your Activate environment. These links are structured using a consistent format and are powered by a built-in redirect mechanism.

### Format:

```text
https://youractivateserver/to/<slug>
```

- `youractivateserver` is the base URL of your Activate installation.
- `<slug>` is a unique, human-readable identifier for the destination (e.g., a tool, article, or dashboard).

## Benefits

- **Faster Navigation**: Jump directly to key tools or content.
- **Improved Usability**: Easier to remember and share than full URLs.
- **Internal Consistency**: Works across your own Activate environment.
- **Customizable**: You can define slugs that match your team’s naming conventions.
- **Easily Reconfigurable**: You can update where an Activate To Link points by changing a single configuration value — no need to update links across documentation or systems.

## How to Use It

1. **Enter or share the Activate To Link** in your browser or documentation.
2. **The system will redirect** to the corresponding internal route.
3. **Log in if required**, and you’ll land directly on the target page.

## Example: Article Link

Let’s say you want to link directly to an internal article titled *“An Interesting Article to Read.”*

You can create an Activate To Link like:

```text
https://youractivateserver/to/interesting-article-to-read
```

In this case, the **slug** is: `interesting-article-to-read`

This will redirect users to the full article page within your Activate instance.

## How to Set Up a New Activate To Link

To create a new Activate To Link in your environment:

1. **Open Activate Studio**
2. **Navigate to**: `Resources > Configuration > Web > Redirects`
3. **Create a new parameter**:
   - **Name**: This will be the slug used in the URL (e.g., `interesting-article-to-read`)
   - **Value**: This should be the destination URL. It can be:
     - A **relative path** (e.g., `/Articles/12345`)
     - Or an **absolute URL** (e.g., `https://youractivateserver/Articles/12345`)
4. **Recycle the application pool** for the changes to take effect. This step is required to load the new configuration into memory.

Once complete, the new link will be available at:

```text
https://youractivateserver/to/<your-slug>
```

## Tips

- Use Activate To Links in internal wikis, onboarding guides, or support responses.
- Bookmark frequently used slugs for quick access.
- Ensure slugs are unique and clearly named to avoid confusion.
- If the destination changes, simply update the slug’s target in your configuration — the link stays the same.