Skip to main content

Platform API Authentication

Platform API requests use a bearer credential in the Authorization header. Prefer OAuth for per-user integrations. Use a Glean-issued token for global permissions with X-Glean-ActAs, or when no OAuth path exists.

Request header​

Authorization: Bearer <platform_token>

Choose an authentication method​

Glean OAuth Authorization Server

Use Glean's OAuth Authorization Server for OAuth access tokens and fine-grained Glean scopes. It is enabled by default. Use DCR for approved MCP hosts. Use a static client when DCR is disabled, the application is not approved, or the application needs scopes DCR does not grant.

External IdP OAuth

Use OAuth access tokens issued by a configured identity provider such as Google, Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, or OneLogin.

Glean-issued tokens

Use user-scoped or global bearer tokens created in the Glean Admin Console. Global tokens also require X-Glean-ActAs.

Quick start​

  1. Confirm that your application has access to the Platform API.
  2. For a per-user integration, obtain an OAuth access token from the Glean OAuth Authorization Server or a configured external IdP. Use a Glean-issued token for global X-Glean-ActAs, or when no OAuth path exists.
  3. Store the credential securely and provide it in the Authorization header.
  4. Try the Platform API Quickstart.
note

Platform API and Client API use the same customer-facing authentication methods. Indexing API operations use Glean-issued tokens and do not accept OAuth. Follow the method-specific setup and scope requirements for the endpoint you are calling.