Frequently Asked Questions

Unlike browser extensions or installable apps, ToolShelf is entirely web-based and doesn't require permissions or installations. It reduces the risk of data exposure and can be trusted in corporate or restricted environments.

Yes. ToolShelf is open-source and can be hosted on your own infrastructure for intranet or air-gapped use cases. See our GitHub repository for setup details.

Since ToolShelf does not store user input, collect personal data, or use trackers beyond basic analytics, it aligns well with GDPR principles. However, compliance also depends on how you integrate or use the tools.

• JSON is lightweight, easy to parse, and widely used in web APIs.
• XML is verbose but supports metadata and namespaces.
• YAML is readable and often used in configuration files.

ToolShelf focuses on JSON due to its simplicity and ubiquity.

No. Standard JSON doesn't allow comments or trailing commas. Some tools may support "JSON5" or relaxed syntax, but ToolShelf strictly adheres to valid JSON parsing.

Yes, but performance may degrade for files above ~1MB depending on your browser and system.

• MD5: Fast, but insecure. Use only for checksums.
• SHA-1: Better than MD5, but deprecated for cryptographic use.
• SHA-256: Secure and recommended for most modern applications.

Yes. A change in even a single byte will result in a completely different hash (known as the avalanche effect), making hashes ideal for verifying file integrity.

No. Password hashing should involve salting and should be done server-side with secure algorithms like bcrypt or Argon2. ToolShelf is for non-sensitive hashing tasks only.

• Base64 encodes binary into ASCII, often used for embedding images or files.
• URL encoding replaces unsafe characters in URLs. Use it for query strings and form submissions.

ToolShelf currently supports Base64; URL encoding may be added later.

Yes. Base64-encoded strings are ~33% larger than their binary equivalents.

Yes. It's useful for cleaning logs, reformatting case, or preparing documentation snippets.

QR codes can store URLs, contact info (vCard), calendar events, Wi-Fi credentials, geolocation, and plain text.

QR codes support up to ~3KB of data, but scannability decreases at higher densities. Keep your QR data concise.

Only if paired with encryption. ToolShelf generates static, unencrypted QR codes, so avoid storing sensitive credentials unless encrypted beforehand.

The site is built with lightweight, no-framework JavaScript and CSS. It loads from CDN-backed static hosting, allowing near-instantaneous rendering.

Offline capability ensures your work is never interrupted by flaky connections. It also respects user privacy and can be used in demos, trainings, and secure networks.

Yes, advanced users can automate interaction using Puppeteer or Playwright. Since everything is rendered client-side, it’s compatible with headless testing tools.

Not yet, but future tools (e.g., image compression, PDF processing) may leverage WebAssembly for performance.

ToolShelf is a frontend-only tool and not suitable for direct CI use, but it can inspire similar transformations in your own scripts or projects.

ToolShelf is 100% offline-first, open-source, minimalistic, and privacy-focused. It doesn’t collect telemetry or lock features behind a paywall.

Yes. Open an issue or submit a PR on GitHub. We welcome improvements, bug fixes, and new tool ideas.