boop.icu

What It Is

boop.icu is a minimalist HTTP file upload and URL shortener service, with the main page essentially consisting of executable curl examples. Users can upload local files via POST, submit a remote URL for the service to fetch, or upload directly via PUT. It feels more like a temporary sharing endpoint for developers and sysadmins than a full-fledged cloud drive or object storage service.

Core Features and Developer Experience

In terms of functionality, boop.icu covers the key needs for temporary file sharing: uploading files, uploading remote URLs, shortening long links, setting hard-to-guess secret URLs, configuring file expiration times, and deleting files or modifying expiration via the X-Token response header. File URLs are retained for at least 30 days and up to one year; short links do not expire. The API is entirely based on HTTP forms and PUT, so it can be integrated from any language capable of sending requests, though the page does not provide an official SDK.

Limits, Compliance, and Pricing

The page does not mention pricing, accounts, plans, or payment methods, so it appears to be a directly usable free service. As for limits, the maximum file size is listed as 256.0, and the accompanying illustration suggests GiB, but the wording is not especially precise. The service prohibits uploads of pirated content, pornography or gore, extremist content, malware, cryptocurrency-related content, backups, CI build artifacts, personal information databases, and more. It also blocks various executable files, archives, APKs, JARs, and other MIME types.

Pros, Cons, and Who It’s For

The main advantages are simplicity, no learning curve, and strong suitability for scripting: the curl examples cover most common operations. It also provides expiration controls and token-based management, avoiding a completely unmanaged public upload model. The downsides are the lack of an account system, web management dashboard, access control, SLA, and privacy or security documentation. It is also not suitable for long-term storage, backups, or artifact distribution.

Access from China and Alternatives

The captured page does not provide information about access from mainland China, ICP filing, CDN usage, or payment options, so its availability in China can only be considered unknown. If access is unstable, alternatives include transfer.sh, 0x0.st, file.io, or building a temporary upload service using Cloudflare R2 or S3-compatible storage. Overall, boop.icu is best suited for technical users who need temporary file sharing and short links, rather than enterprise-grade hosting or compliant storage.