CO-OP 101

Welcome to CO-OP, a tool-sharing library for friends and communities. CO-OP helps you share physical items—like tools, books, kitchen gadgets, and camping gear—with people you know and trust.

What is CO-OP?

Think of CO-OP as a library card catalog for your community. Instead of books, it’s filled with the useful things your friends own and are willing to lend. Need a ladder for the weekend? A tent for a camping trip? A specific cookbook? Check if someone in your network has one before buying something you’ll rarely use.

CO-OP is built on trust. You only see items from people you’re connected to, and they only see yours. There are no strangers, no shipping logistics, no rental fees—just neighbors helping neighbors.

How it works

  1. Create your catalog — List the items you’re willing to lend. Add details like where you keep them and any notes for borrowers.

  2. Connect with friends — Send invitations to people you trust. Once connected, you can see each other’s catalogs.

  3. Browse and borrow — Search your friends’ catalogs for items you need. Request to borrow something, and the owner can approve or decline.

  4. Coordinate the handoff — Once approved, arrange the pickup and return directly with the owner. CO-OP tracks the loan so everyone knows who has what.

  5. Return and repeat — When you’re done, mark the item as returned. The owner confirms, and the item is available again.

Getting an invitation

CO-OP is invitation-only. To join, you’ll need an invitation from someone already on the platform. This keeps the community trusted and connected—every member is vouched for by someone they know.

If you’ve received an invitation email, click the link to create your account. If you’re interested in CO-OP but don’t have an invitation yet, ask a friend who’s already a member.

Creating your account

Once you have an invitation:

  1. Click the invitation link in your email
  2. Choose a username and password
  3. Verify your email address
  4. You’re in!

After creating your account, you’ll want to set up your profile and start adding items to your catalog.

Next steps

  • Set up your profile — Add your display name so friends can find you
  • Add items to your catalog — Start with a few items you’re comfortable lending
  • Connect with friends — Send invitations to people you’d like to share with
  • Explore your network — See what items are available from your connections

Have questions? The rest of this documentation covers each feature in detail. Browse the navigation on the left to learn more.