# Authentication

{% hint style="info" %}
For a more in-depth look at the different API Connector authentication methods, you may be interested in the API Connector manual article:\
\
Article: [API Connector authentication methods](/~/changes/KJh7wUmvooVFeg4izJFB/help-guides/integrations/api/the-api-connector/authentication.md)
{% endhint %}

### Authentication methods

There are many different ways to authenticate. Most API providers will have documentation available online that specifies their authentication method and many require you to generate a unique API token.

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="259"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Method</td><td>Description</td></tr><tr><td>None or self-handled</td><td>No authentication required</td></tr><tr><td>Private key in URL</td><td>The private key is included as a parameter in the URL</td></tr><tr><td>Private key in header</td><td>The private key is included as an HTTP header in the request</td></tr><tr><td>HTTP Basic Auth</td><td>The username and password is sent in plain text</td></tr><tr><td>OAuth2 Password Flow</td><td>The username and password is sent and receives an access token in return</td></tr><tr><td>OAuth2 User-Agent Flow</td><td>Similar to OAuth2 Password Flow, but for user-agents</td></tr><tr><td>OAuth2 Custom Token</td><td>Thr custom token is sent to the server for verification</td></tr><tr><td>JSON Web Token (JWT)</td><td>A JSON web tokenis sent to the server for verification</td></tr><tr><td>Client-side SSL certificate</td><td>Your app presents a SSL certificate to the server for verification</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Other ways to learn

<details>

<summary>User manual articles</summary>

* Article series: [The API Connector](/~/changes/KJh7wUmvooVFeg4izJFB/help-guides/integrations/api/the-api-connector.md)
  * Article: [Authentication](/~/changes/KJh7wUmvooVFeg4izJFB/help-guides/integrations/api/the-api-connector/authentication.md)

</details>

<details>

<summary>Video lessons</summary>

* [Intro to APIs & the API Connector](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO8PSqeJaWk\&t=745s)
* [How to Setup Google API Keys](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouGT55o68ho)
* Webinar: [The API Connector](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXsL4FjAhd8\&t=2s)

</details>


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://manual.bubble.io/~/changes/KJh7wUmvooVFeg4izJFB/core-resources/api/the-api-connector/authentication.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
