# Control asset access and share links

**Category:** [Digital Assets](https://help.totalctrl.app/hc/totalctrl/totalctrl-help-center/en-US/categories/assets-1)
**Updated:** 2026-08-19

## The three permission levels

- **Private** — only signed-in members of your account can open the file. Public links return a 403.
- **Restricted** — the file is served only when a valid **access token** is supplied (as a `?token=` query parameter or an `X-Asset-Token` header), or after a visitor enters the optional link password.
- **Public** — anyone with the share link can open it, no sign-in required.

## Share links

Every asset has a **serve link** of the form `/d/<token>`, shown on the asset detail page. Use **Rotate share link** to issue a new token; all previously shared links stop working immediately. Replacing a file or restoring a version also rotates the link automatically.
## Restricted assets and passwords

Switching an asset to **Restricted** generates a separate access token. You can also enable **password protection**: visitors hit a password gate, and once they enter the correct password the unlock is remembered for their browser session. Disable the password at any time from the detail page.
## Expiry and delivery limits

Set an **expiry date** on a file (via the edit page) and it returns "Gone" after that date — the dashboard also surfaces assets expiring within 30 days. Public and restricted deliveries count against a monthly quota; once the quota is exhausted, links return a rate-limit response until the next month. Account admins are notified at 90% of the limit.

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## Related Articles

- [Track rights, metadata, and versions](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/track-rights-metadata-and-versions)
- [Asset analytics: views & downloads](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/assets-analytics)
- [Upload and organize assets](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/upload-and-organize-assets)
- [AI Auto-Tag: automatic tagging for your assets](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/assets-ai-auto-tag)
- [Smart search: find assets by meaning](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/assets-smart-search)

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