Forge Frequently asked questions
Processing, limits and what to check before you share a converted file.
Is the toolbox free?
The free tools do not require signup or add a branding watermark. Upload sizes, processing limits and rate limits still apply. Free does not mean unlimited resources.
Are files always uploaded?
No. Supported operations can run in your browser. Other operations and unsupported local cases use the server. Each tool page describes its processing path; see the privacy policy for retention and analytics.
When are server files deleted?
Normal cleanup removes uploads after processing and schedules results for deletion after the download response. A result you never download becomes eligible after 10 minutes and is checked about every minute while the service runs. An upload left behind by an interrupted job is cleaned up after one hour.
Why can a conversion look different?
Formats store information differently. Fonts, tables, columns, scans and unsupported features can affect the result. Keep the original and inspect the output before sharing.
Can OCR guarantee correct words?
No. OCR estimates text from page images and depends on engine availability, language and scan quality. Check names, dates, numbers and reading order against the original.
Can I recover a forgotten PDF opening password?
No. Unlock PDF does not guess or recover a forgotten opening password. Use the correct password and only process documents you are authorized to modify.
Is Sign PDF a digital signature service?
It places a signature image on a page. It does not provide certificate-based signing, identity verification or tamper-evident certification. Check what the recipient accepts.
Can I try it without my own documents?
Yes. The guides include original synthetic input files and actual outputs for compression, Word conversion, HEIC conversion and page assembly.
Can I self-host?
Yes. The public toolbox is available under GNU AGPLv3, with separate commercial licensing information. Review dependencies, analytics and deployment configuration when setting up your own installation.