Mapbox
Mapbox is a location platform providing map tiles and styles, routing (Directions) and geocoding. Connecting a Mapbox token lets ALIGN use those services on your behalf, in several places across the Map Builder.
What it enables in ALIGN
Section titled “What it enables in ALIGN”A connected Mapbox token unlocks, wherever you choose to use it:
- Mapbox basemaps — bring Mapbox styles as basemaps through Add Data → Basemap; they then feed the Basemap switcher widget.
- Routing — the Directions widget can use Mapbox Directions (driving, walking, cycling) instead of the keyless OSRM demo server.
- Geocoding — the Reverse geocode widget can resolve coordinates to addresses with Mapbox instead of keyless Nominatim.
Each of these is opt-in per widget/map: connecting the key makes Mapbox available, you still pick it in the relevant widget’s parameters.
How to get the key
Section titled “How to get the key”Mapbox uses access tokens. There are two kinds:
- A public token (starts with
pk.) — used client-side to render maps, compute Directions and geocode. This is the one the widgets above need. - A secret token (starts with
sk.) — only for account-level Mapbox APIs; optional for ALIGN.
- Sign in at the Mapbox access tokens page.
- Copy your default public token (
pk.…), or create a new one scoped to what you need. - For a token used on published maps, add URL restrictions in Mapbox so it only works from your domains.
- In ALIGN, go to Dashboard → Integrations and paste the token for Mapbox. You can store the public token, and the secret token as well if you have a use for it.
Where your token goes
Section titled “Where your token goes”The Mapbox token is stored on your ALIGN account, and the map stored in your
Datastore never carries it. A published map carries your public token
(pk.), because the visitor’s browser loads the tiles itself; restrict it by URL in
your Mapbox account, and ALIGN names the domain to allow when you publish. A secret
token (sk.) never leaves our servers and is never published. Where a widget offers a
keyless alternative (OSRM for Directions, Nominatim for Reverse geocode), it keeps
working without any key.
Related
Section titled “Related”- Add Data → Basemap and the Basemap switcher — Mapbox basemaps.
- Directions widget — Mapbox routing.
- Reverse geocode widget — Mapbox geocoding.
- Integrations overview — how ALIGN keeps your keys secure.