> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://checklyhq.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating A URL Monitor

> Step-by-step guide to set up your first URL monitor and ensure your websites and APIs are always accessible.

<Tip>
  Learn more about all the [URL Monitor capabilities](/detect/uptime-monitoring/url-monitors/overview) in the general overview.
</Tip>

This guide walks you through creating your first URL monitor to check the availability and performance of your websites, APIs, or any HTTP-based service.

Each URL monitor is defined by its request configuration, which includes the target URL and how its availability and performance should be validated.

## Basic Setup

Configure your URL monitor by specifying the endpoint and request method:

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/checkly-422f444a/XonWrJoX4jUKhQZd/images/url-monitor-entry.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=XonWrJoX4jUKhQZd&q=85&s=b9fd3a78eb7160745fbcb5b947349e33" alt="URL monitor setup interface showing HTTP method selection, URL input field, and options for Skip SSL and Follow redirects" width="2518" height="388" data-path="images/url-monitor-entry.png" />
</Frame>

* **Request method:** Always `GET`
* **URL:** The HTTP(S) URL to monitor (e.g. `https://api.example.com`)
* **IP family:** Defaults to IPv4

## Response Validation

### Assertions

Validate the returned response status code:

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/checkly-422f444a/9iwkS8Mlm4KfOHnA/images/url-monitor-assertions.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=9iwkS8Mlm4KfOHnA&q=85&s=9b99c1c3e725b4414f8f35345b7bfb09" alt="URL monitor assertions interface showing status code configuration" width="2376" height="440" data-path="images/url-monitor-assertions.png" />
</Frame>

### Response Performance

Define performance thresholds for degraded or failed states:

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/checkly-422f444a/9iwkS8Mlm4KfOHnA/images/url-monitor-response-times.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=9iwkS8Mlm4KfOHnA&q=85&s=b00a1cf911a6e8f67f66736a8a5dda4b" alt="URL monitor response time limits interface showing degraded and failed thresholds" width="2394" height="500" data-path="images/url-monitor-response-times.png" />
</Frame>

## Frequency

Set how often the monitor runs (every 10 seconds to 24 hours).

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/checkly-422f444a/9iwkS8Mlm4KfOHnA/images/url-monitor-frequency.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=9iwkS8Mlm4KfOHnA&q=85&s=54ffe14083fafaa8551014628cef1fd4" alt="URL monitor frequency interface showing 10 seconds to 24 hours options" width="1580" height="366" data-path="images/url-monitor-frequency.png" />
</Frame>

## Scheduling & Locations

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/checkly-422f444a/9iwkS8Mlm4KfOHnA/images/url-monitor-scheduling-strategy.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=9iwkS8Mlm4KfOHnA&q=85&s=4806fe0d7a6912cc2d93be0becd1402f" alt="URL monitor scheduling strategy interface showing round robin vs fixed schedule options" width="1574" height="1370" data-path="images/url-monitor-scheduling-strategy.png" />
</Frame>

* **Scheduling:** Choose between round-robin or parallel execution. Learn more about [scheduling strategies](/concepts/scheduling)
* **Locations:** Select [public](/concepts/locations) or [private](/platform/private-locations/overview) locations to run the monitor from

## Additional Settings

* **Name:** Give your monitor a clear name to identify it in dashboards and alerts
* **Tags:** Use tags to organize monitors across dashboards and [maintenance windows](/communicate/maintenance-windows/overview)
* **Description:** A short description of the check. Supports Markdown. Maximum length: 500 characters
* **Retries:** Define how failed runs should be retried. See [retry strategies](/communicate/alerts/retries)
* **Alerting:** Configure your [alert settings](/communicate/alerts/configuration), [alert channels](/communicate/alerts/channels), or set up [webhooks](/integrations/alerts/webhooks) for custom integrations