When building or testing two-factor authentication (2FA), developers often need a fast way to generate valid TOTP codes. Relying on mobile authenticator apps is not always practical in development environments.
Common Development Scenarios
During development or testing, you may need to:
- Verify TOTP logic quickly
- Test multiple user accounts
- Debug expired or invalid codes
- Work on temporary or shared machines
In these cases, installing and managing authenticator apps can slow things down.
Browser-Based TOTP Generation
Browser-based TOTP generators provide a lightweight alternative. They generate standard-compliant codes without requiring any installation.
A free example is https://2fa.cn, which allows developers to generate OTP and TOTP codes directly in the browser for testing and verification purposes.
Security Notes
Online generators should only be used for:
- Development or staging environments
- Learning and experimentation
- Temporary verification needs
They are not intended for long-term protection of production accounts.
Conclusion
For developers working with 2FA systems, browser-based TOTP generators can significantly improve efficiency. Tools like 2fa.cn are a practical addition to the development workflow when used responsibly.

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