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Tools

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Module: Settings › Apps · URL: /settings/tools · Responsible role: Owner (organization admin) · Also used by: nobody else — the page and the save are organization-admin only

Tools — Tools settings: URL shortener default category "Other" and QR code defaults (black on white, 256 px, error correction M)

Screenshot: Rachel Whitman (Executive Director, org owner), Nocthink Demo Institute demo data.

Why I use this page

As Owner I use this page to set the starting values for the URL shortener and QR code generator that every staff member uses. I set it once to match our brand (for example our brand colour as the QR foreground) and revisit it if communications asks for a different default category for short links.

What's on the screen

  • Header — Tools settings: "Starting values for the URL shortener and QR code generator. Each can still be changed per link or code."
  • URL shortener row — Default category: Events, Publications, Documents, HR, Projects, Other.
  • QR codes row — Foreground and Background colour (swatch picker plus hex field), Size (px) ("Between 128 and 512."), Error correction: L: low, 7% recovery, M: medium, 15% recovery, Q: quartile, 25% recovery, H: high, 30% recovery.
  • Save changes button, with Saved or the server error.

How I …

Set our brand colours for QR codes

  1. Open Settings › Apps › Tools.
  2. Click the Foreground swatch and pick a colour, or type a hex value such as #1a1a1a.
  3. Do the same for Background (keep it light for good contrast).
  4. Set Size (px) and Error correction (higher levels survive more damage or smudging but make a denser code).
  5. Click Save changes.
  6. Open Tools › QR Code Generator to confirm a new code starts with these values.
  1. Pick a Default category under URL shortener.
  2. Click Save changes. New short links in Tools › Shorten URL start in that category.

Access & permissions

  • The route requires * (organization admin) and the server saves only for organization admins. docs/role.md §4.5: Owner only.
  • Every member can read these values, because they pre-fill the shortener and QR forms.

Caveats

  • Colours must be #rrggbb; the field allows 7 characters and anything else is rejected on save ("Enter a colour as #rrggbb.").
  • Size (px) must be a whole number from 128 to 512; out-of-range values are rejected on save.
  • Low-contrast colour pairs save fine but may not scan; test a code before rolling it out.
  • Defaults only affect new links and codes; existing ones are unchanged.

Limitations

  • No default logo, margin or file format for QR codes.
  • No custom short-link categories or default domain/slug rules.
  • No per-department defaults.