Inviting Friends and Neighbors

Inviting someone is the fastest way to grow your lending circle. When they join from your invite, the two of you are connected as friends, so you can each see the other’s full tool inventory.

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Do

Invite neighbors and friends you actually know and trust
Use the contacts method to send invites directly via SMS
Share your invite link via text, email, or in person for people not in your contacts
Send your code to as many neighbors as you like — the same code works for everyone

Don't

Share your invite link publicly — it is meant for people you know personally
Expect instant access — new members need to join or create a community before community access is available
Try to redeem your own invite code — it will not work
Assume an old code still works — codes expire 14 days after you create them

Common Questions

What happens after I send an invite?

Your neighbor receives a message with your invite code and a link to download ToolBud. Once they join, the two of you are automatically connected as friends.

What does being friends change?

Friends can see your full tool inventory, including tools you have not marked as available to lend. Everyone else in your community sees only the tools you have marked available.

What if my neighbor already has a ToolBud account?

You can send a friend request directly from the community directory instead of using an invite. The result is the same — a friend connection once accepted.

How do I share my invite code?

Tap Invite Friends from your profile or the onboarding screen. You can send directly to contacts via SMS or use the share button to send the link any way you like.

Do I need a new code for each person I invite?

No. Your invite code is reusable — you can share the same code with as many neighbors as you like. Each person can only redeem it once.

Do invite codes expire?

Yes. An invite code stops working 14 days after you create it. If yours has expired, generate a new one from Invite Friends and send that instead — your neighbor can still join, they just need a current code.