This guide is for BriefSpec users. It covers how to set up password login, sign in with your authenticator app, reset a forgotten password, and change your password after you are onboarded into the app.
Who this is for: You do not need to be an admin. Email OTP login still works as before. Password and MFA are optional. You only use it after you set a password.
What you need
- Your registered BriefSpec email address
- An authenticator app installed on your phone (Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator)
- Access to that same email, so you can open the reset link if you forget your password
Password rules
When you set or change a password, BriefSpec enforces these rules:
- At least 12 characters
- At least 1 uppercase letter
- At least 1 lowercase letter
- At least 1 digit
- At least 1 special character (for example! @ # $)
- Must not contain your email address
Remember: Password login always needs BOTH your password and a 6-digit authenticator code.
1. Set up password login for the first time
If you have never created a BriefSpec password, start here. This also sets up your authenticator for password login. Email OTP login is still a valid option.
1. Open the BriefSpec login page
Use the same BriefSpec site you normally use (for example app.briefspec.com).
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2. Enter your email and complete the captcha
Type your registered email, solve the equation.
3. Choose Forgot or set up a password.
Use this option to setup a password for the first time or to reset your account password.
4. Request a reset link
On Reset password, enter your registered email, complete the captcha, and select Send reset link.
5. Open the email and choose a new password
The email subject looks like Reset your BriefSpec password. The link expires in 2 hours. Set a new password that meets the rules given. Click Continue.
6. Set up your authenticator
Scan the QR code with Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator. If you cannot scan, type the manual key. Then enter the 6-digit code and choose Verify and complete.
Already have an authenticator for this account? You can enter the code from your existing app, or choose Set up a new authenticator to scan a new QR. A new QR replaces the old device only after the new code is verified.
7. Return to login
After the password is saved, go back to login and use Login with Password & MFA.
Expiry Note: Your password expires after 90 days. When it expires, BriefSpec will ask you to set up a new password before you can sign in with the password and MFA.
2. How to log in with password and MFA
Use this after your password and authenticator are set up. You will enter email first, then password and authenticator code on the next screen.
1. Open the login page and enter your email
Complete the captcha, then choose Login with Password & MFA.
2. Enter your password and authenticator code
Both are required on the same screen. Open your authenticator app and type the current 6-digit code. Then choose Continue.
3. Wait for BriefSpec to finish signing you in
Continue shows the spinner. Do not click again. Session setup can take a few seconds, then you land in the app.
If something does not match: Use the authenticator entry you created for BriefSpec password login. If you scanned extra QR codes while testing, use Set up a new authenticator on the reset flow, or the newest entry you successfully verified.
Password expired: If BriefSpec says your password expired, set a new password on that screen and enter your authenticator code. You still need the current (old) password to do this.
3. Forgot password, or need to reset
Use the same Reset password page to recover a forgotten password or to set one up. You will get an email with a one-time link.
1. From the login page, choose Forgot or set up a password
You can also open the Reset password from the Change password if you no longer know your current password. That link opens in a new tab.
3. Open the email and follow Set password
Choose a new password, then enter the code in the authenticator. If you already have an app set up, enter that code. If you have changed phones, choose Set up a new authenticator and scan the new QR.
Link expiry: The reset link is valid for 2 hours and can be used once. If it expires, request a new one from the login page.
Back to login: Use Back to login on the reset page. It returns you to login without reloading the whole site.
4. How to change your password
After you are signed in, you can change your password from your profile menu. You must know your current password. BriefSpec does not email a new password to you from this screen.
1. Open your avatar menu
Select your profile picture or initials in the top-right of BriefSpec.
2. Choose Change password
This option appears only if password login is already set up on your account.
3. Enter current password, new password, and confirm
The new password must meet the given rules. Then choose the Change Password.
Do not know your current password? Use the Reset password link in that dialog. It opens the reset page in a new tab. Complete reset there, then sign in again with the new password.
5. Tips and common questions
Is this instead of email OTP?
No. Email OTP login stays available. Password and MFA is an additional way to sign in to the application.
Is the authenticator for the whole company?
No. Each user scans their own QR. It is saved for that user account. Other users in the same company need to have their own app setup to use this.
I changed phones
Use Forgot or set up password? open the email link, then choose Set up a new authenticator and scan the new QR with the new phone.
Login with Password & MFA is not offered
You have not finished setup yet, or that account does not have a password setup for the user. Use Forgot or set up password? first. You can still use Login with OTP.
Need help?
If a reset email does not arrive, check spam and confirm you used your registered email. If you are locked out after several wrong passwords, wait and try again, or contact your BriefSpec administrator.