Connecting with client credentials

In addition to the default OAuth flow ("Connect to Zendesk Support") and API token authentication, Polytomic can connect to Zendesk Support using client credentials — an OAuth client ID and secret that you create in your own Zendesk account.

Use client credentials when you want the connection to authenticate as a dedicated Zendesk OAuth client that you own and control, rather than through Polytomic's shared OAuth app. No browser redirect or interactive authorization is required: Polytomic mints and refreshes an access token directly from the client ID and secret you provide.

Step 1: Create an OAuth client in Zendesk

1. In Zendesk, go to Admin Center → Apps and integrations → APIs → OAuth clients, then click Add OAuth client.

2. Fill in the client details:

   • Name, Description, and Company — shown to users when granting access. You can use values like Polytomic and Polytomic connection.
   • Identifier — the unique identifier for your client, used as the Client ID when you configure the connection in Polytomic (for example, polytomic).
   • Client kind — select Confidential. Client credentials require a confidential client so the secret can be stored securely.
   • Redirect URLs — not required for client credentials; you can leave this blank.

3. Click Save. Zendesk generates a Secret and displays it once.

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Copy the secret immediately

Zendesk shows the client secret in full only once. Copy and store it before you leave the page. If you lose it, you can regenerate a new secret from the OAuth client's Edit page.

Step 2: Configure the connection in Polytomic

1. In Polytomic, go to Connections → Add Connection → Zendesk Support.

2. Set Authentication method to Client credentials.

3. Enter the following:

   • Zendesk Subdomain — your subdomain from the account URL https://yoursubdomain.zendesk.com (for example, yoursubdomain.zendesk.com).
   • Client ID — the Identifier value from the Zendesk OAuth client you created in Step 1.
   • Client secret — the Secret generated for that OAuth client.

4. Click Save.