Two-Factor Authentication Email Template
Secure 2FA verification codes for login and sensitive actions. Time-limited OTPs with clear formatting for easy entry.
Email Preview
Use with AI Assistants
Copy and paste this prompt into your AI assistant
Implement an two-factor authentication code email using the Ark API.
Fetch the template and code examples from: https://arkhq.io/templates/two-factor-auth.md
Replace the template variables with the actual values for:
- {{name}}: The recipient's name
- {{email}}: The recipient's email
- Other variables as documented in the template
Then send via Ark API.The AI will fetch the template from the URL and use it to send your email through Ark.
Why 2FA emails matter
- Adds a critical security layer against password breaches
- Required for compliance (SOC 2, PCI-DSS, HIPAA)
- Users expect 2FA for apps handling sensitive data
- Email 2FA is more accessible than authenticator apps for many users
Code Examples
Use the HTML template above with these code examples
import Ark from "@arkhq/sdk";
import crypto from "crypto";
const ark = new Ark({ apiKey: process.env.ARK_API_KEY });
function generateOTP(): string {
return crypto.randomInt(100000, 999999).toString();
}
async function send2FACode(email: string, name: string) {
const code = generateOTP();
// Store code with 10-minute expiration in your database
await ark.emails.send({
from: "[email protected]",
to: email,
subject: `Your verification code: ${code}`,
html: `<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
</head>
<body style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; color: #333; max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 20px;">
<div style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 30px;">
<h1 style="color: #111; font-size: 24px; margin: 0;">Verification Code</h1>
</div>
<p>Hi ${name},</p>
<p>Use the following code to complete your sign-in:</p>
<div style="text-align: center; margin: 30px 0;">
<div style="background-color: #f5f5f5; padding: 20px 40px; border-radius: 8px; display: inline-block;">
<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 32px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 8px; color: #000;">${code}</span>
</div>
</div>
<p style="color: #666; font-size: 14px;">This code expires in 10 minutes. If you didn't request this code, please secure your account immediately.</p>
<hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 30px 0;">
<p style="color: #999; font-size: 12px;">If you didn't try to sign in, someone may be trying to access your account. Consider changing your password.</p>
</body>
</html>`,
});
return code;
}Best Practices
- Use 6-digit numeric codes for easy entry
- Set short expiration (5-10 minutes maximum)
- Include the code in both subject line and body for quick access
- Add letter-spacing to codes for readability
- Warn users if they didn't request the code
- Rate-limit code requests to prevent brute force
Frequently Asked Questions
Why 6 digits instead of 4?
6-digit codes provide better security (1 million combinations vs 10,000) while still being easy to type. This balance reduces brute force risk without hurting user experience.
Should I put the code in the subject line?
Yes. Many users check codes from notification previews without opening the email. Including the code in the subject line ('Your code: 847293') makes this workflow seamless.
How do I prevent 2FA code abuse?
Rate-limit requests (max 5 per hour), implement exponential backoff after failed attempts, monitor for unusual patterns, and consider blocking IPs with excessive failures.
Is email 2FA secure enough?
Email 2FA is less secure than TOTP apps or hardware keys but more accessible. It's appropriate for medium-security applications. For high-security needs (banking, crypto), offer TOTP/hardware key options.
Related Templates
Learn More
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