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A Short URL field turns an approved campaign into a short link like https://your-domain/aB3xK9q2. The part after the slash is the slug. The field’s slug_mode setting decides who writes that slug and when: the system, the submitter, or both.
There are three slug modes: auto_editable (the default), auto_only, and manual_only. Pick one when you create or edit the Short URL field, in the field’s Slug mode dropdown.

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What you’ll build

A Short URL field whose slug behavior matches your workflow, plus the right slug_size for the auto-generated modes.

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Steps

1

Open the Short URL field's settings

In your governance model, open the Short URL field (or create one). You set the slug mode in this field’s settings, alongside its Destination URL field and Domain.
2

Choose a slug mode

Use the Slug mode dropdown to pick how slugs are produced:
ModeWho writes the slugWhat the submitter sees
auto_editable (default)System generates one; submitter may edit itA pre-filled slug in an editable box, with a dice button to re-roll
auto_onlySystem only; submitter cannot editRead-only text, shown as (will be generated on save) until saved
manual_onlySubmitter types itAn empty text box they must fill in
3

Set the slug length (auto modes only)

For auto_editable and auto_only, set Slug size to control the length of the generated slug. It accepts 4 to 50 characters and defaults to 10. The Slug size field is hidden for manual_only, where the submitter chooses the whole slug.
4

Save and publish

Save the field and publish a revision so submitters get the new behavior. See Publish a revision.

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What each mode means for the submitter

  • auto_editable (default). A random slug is filled in automatically the first time the field is shown. The submitter can overwrite it with something memorable (for example, replace aB3xK9q2 with blkfri26) or click the dice button to roll a new random one. Their edit sticks. Pick this when you want a good default but still let people choose a clean slug for marquee campaigns. This is the right choice for most workflows.
  • auto_only. A random slug is generated and the submitter cannot change it. The field shows read-only text and reads (will be generated on save) until the value exists. Pick this when slugs should be opaque and nobody needs to customize them. This is the only mode that makes the field computed.
  • manual_only. Nothing is generated. The submitter types the slug into a plain text box. Pick this for vanity slugs or partner codes that must be hand-chosen. Submitters may hit a “short URL already taken” error and need to pick again.

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Worked example: Campaign URL Builder

Your Campaign URL Builder taxonomy has a Short URL field that points at a tagged destination URL. You want most campaigns to get a tidy automatic slug, but let a campaign manager override it for a big launch.
  1. Set the Short URL field’s Slug mode to auto_editable.
  2. Set Slug size to 8.
  3. Publish, then start a submission. The Short URL field shows something like your-domain/k7Qm2Rf9, already filled in.
  4. For the Black Friday launch, the manager clears it and types blackfriday. On approval, the link goes live as https://your-domain/blackfriday.
For a campaign that needs no custom slug, the manager leaves the generated value as-is. If you would rather no one ever touches the slug, switch the field to auto_only instead.

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Gotchas

  • The slug is frozen once the submission is approved. After approval, the link’s domain and slug cannot change in any mode. To send a live link somewhere new, change its Destination URL field value. To fix a typo in a slug, you create a new link.
  • slug_size only applies to the auto modes. It is ignored for manual_only, and the input is hidden there. Setting it alongside manual_only is rejected when the field is saved. Valid range is 4 to 50, default 10.
  • Slugs must be URL-safe. Manual slugs accept only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces, slashes, emoji, and most punctuation are rejected when the submission is checked.
  • Slugs are unique per domain. Two live links on the same domain cannot share a slug. On the default shortener domain the match is case-sensitive, so Promo and promo are distinct. Custom domains treat slugs as the same regardless of case.
  • Leave Domain blank to use the account default. Set the field’s Domain only when you want links minted on a branded custom domain that has already been added and verified.
  • Only auto_only makes the field computed. In the other two modes the slug is a submitter input, so the field appears as an entry column rather than in the computed-preview panel.