Temporary inboxes for course signups
Disposable, expiring addresses let students trial tools without handing over a permanent identity.
The problem with permanent addresses
Sign up for one tool with a permanent address and you inherit its mailing list forever. Students sign up for dozens per term.
Expiring by design
A temporary inbox carries an expires_at from the moment it is created. When the clock runs out, the address stops accepting mail and the contents are purged.
const mailbox = await mailboxService.create({
address: "trial-2026",
expiresAt: addDays(new Date(), 7),
});Good uses
- Trialling a study tool for a fortnight
- Receiving a one-off verification code
- Running a workshop where fifty attendees need mail for one afternoon
When not to use one
Never use a temporary inbox for account recovery on anything you intend to keep. Expiring mail and password resets are a bad pairing.
About the author
InstantEduMail Editorial Team
Editorial Team
Guides on temporary email, deliverability and email testing, written and reviewed by the InstantEduMail team against primary sources. Read our editorial policy for how we research, review and correct content.
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