---
updatedAt: 2026-10-27T15:15:45.000Z
agentTools:
  projectIndex: https://docs.polytomic.com/llms.txt
---

# 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.

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

> 🚧 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**.