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Frequently asked questions
Is SciRelay a mailbox?
No. SciRelay forwards incoming mail to the verified inbox you choose. There is no SciRelay inbox to check, search, or migrate.
Can I send from my SciRelay address?
Not in v0.1. SciRelay receives and forwards mail. Replies are sent from your destination account and may reveal that address.
Does a SciRelay address count as an institutional email?
No. It is a durable personal research contact address. It should not be used where a service specifically requires proof of a current institutional domain.
Do I need ORCID to use SciRelay?
No. SciRelay accounts use passkeys with device verification. A verified recovery email and offline recovery code let you replace a lost passkey. Account access does not verify legal identity, qualifications, employment, or researcher status.
What does “Email-domain verified affiliation” mean?
It means the user demonstrated control of an address on an accepted organization-associated domain at the recorded time. It does not prove position, title, employment dates, continuing employment, or endorsement by that organization.
What happens when I change institution?
Verify the next destination before switching. SciRelay keeps the current route active until the replacement is ready, then changes the route atomically. Your published SciRelay address stays the same.
Can I change my SciRelay address?
You can change it while it is only reserved. After activation it becomes immutable, because papers and people may depend on it. Contact support for a safety or legal issue.
What happens if I delete my account?
Forwarding stops and unnecessary personal data is deleted according to the retention schedule. The activated alias is permanently tombstoned and is not given to another person.
Does SciRelay read my email?
The SciRelay application does not intentionally parse or store forwarded message bodies or attachments. Cloudflare Email Service must process the message to forward it, and your destination provider processes and stores it.
Are attachments supported?
Yes, within the routing provider’s current inbound message-size limit. The alpha does not advertise a limit larger than 25 MiB, including the message and attachments.
Why is the alpha limited?
Reliable contact infrastructure should scale only after its limits are understood. The first cohort is intentionally small while routing, provider compatibility, abuse handling, and continuity procedures are tested.
Will the core address stay free?
The product policy is that an activated core forwarding route is not disabled merely because the user declines a paid upgrade. Future paid plans, if ever enabled under a separately cleared model, would add convenience rather than take continuity away.