Burn-after-read pastes explained
What burn-after-read means, when to use it, and how to share a paste that self-destructs after a single view.
A burn-after-read paste self-destructs after a single view. It's the right choice when something should be seen exactly once and never left sitting on a server.
Write your paste
Add the text or code you want to share once — for example a token, a temporary password, or a private note.
Turn on Burn after read
Flip the Burn after read switch. The paste will be deleted permanently the first time it is opened.
Share the link with one person
Send the link to a single recipient. As soon as they open it, the content is shown once and then destroyed — reloading the page won't bring it back.
When to use it
- One-time credentials, API keys, or recovery codes.
- A private message you don't want lingering in chat history.
- Anything where a second view would be a problem.
Good to know
Because the paste is gone after the first open, make sure the right person gets the link first — a link preview bot or proxy that fetches the URL could consume the view. For an extra layer, combine burn-after-read with a password or encryption. See the FAQ for more on how NullPaste handles expiry.