Last Updated: 3/9/2026
Post-Setup Steps
Theoretically, you can use LinkAce after finishing the setup. However, we recommend checking the following steps to unlock the full potential of LinkAce, including automated backups to the Internet Archive and regular automated link checks.
Step 1: Update the .env File with Advanced Settings
The .env file in your LinkAce directory contains advanced settings. Two configurations are particularly important:
- Email settings
- Application backups
All other possible settings are in the .env file reference.
Email Configuration
Add the following block to your .env file and change the values according to your setup:
| .env setting | Possible values | Default value | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
MAIL_FROM_ADDRESS | any email address | hello@example.com | The email address you’re sending from |
MAIL_FROM_NAME | any string | LinkAce | The name you’re sending from |
MAIL_MAILER | log, smtp, sendmail, mailgun, ses, postmark | smtp | The method of sending email (see Mail configuration docs ) |
MAIL_HOST | any string | smtp.mailgun.org | SMTP only: the host sending email from |
MAIL_PORT | any number | 587 | SMTP only: the port for connecting to the host |
MAIL_USERNAME | any string | none | SMTP only: the username for connecting to the host |
MAIL_PASSWORD | any string | none | SMTP only: the password for connecting to the host |
MAIL_ENCRYPTION | ssl, tls, none | tls | SMTP only: the sending encryption |
Application Backups to S3-Compatible Storage
Application backups have dedicated documentation: Application backups
Step 2: Setup the Cron
The cron is necessary to enable:
- Automated backups via the Wayback Machine
- Regular link checks
- Application backups
You’ll be presented with:
- A cron token
- A pre-built cron URL on the system settings page (available from the username dropdown)
More information: System Settings
Step 3: Configure Basic App Settings
On the same page as your Bookmarklet, you’ll find basic app settings:
- Timezone
- Date and time format
- Privacy defaults
Recommendations:
- Set the correct timezone
- Set date and time formats
- Configure which share buttons should be available when viewing links
Step 4: Install the Bookmarklet
Visit the user settings (available from the dropdown menu beneath your username).
To install: Simply drag the Bookmarklet button into your bookmarks bar.