The techniques enable a device to identify a best suitable application to open a resource such as a file. The file can be shared via a link or can be attached to a communication. The link comprises a uniform resource locator (URL) or is in some way associated with an underlying URL. The URL includes a pattern, or a portion that identifies a domain (e.g., a hostname) and/or a portion that identifies a type of file that is to be accessed and opened. Upon activation of the link, the device analyzes the URL to determine the pattern. The device then obtains, from a service associated with the URL, a ranked list of applications that are authorized to open the file. Moreover, the device performs, at run-time, a negotiation with the service to determine which application is best suited to open the file.