Authentication
Verifying the identity of the system or user making an API call. Methods include API keys, OAuth tokens, Basic Auth, and JWT. Poor authentication handling is the #1 cause of integration security vulnerabilities.
Expert insight
Most integration failures blamed on "the API being down" are actually authentication failures: an expired OAuth token, a rotated API key nobody updated in the workflow, or a session that timed out. Before assuming an external service is broken, check the actual HTTP status code, a 401 means it's your credentials, not their uptime.
In a real workflow
A workflow connects to Google Sheets with OAuth and to an internal API with a bearer token, both stored as credentials rather than in the workflow itself.
Common mistakes
- Using a personal login for business-critical automations, which breaks when that person leaves.
- Not monitoring expiring credentials until workflows start failing.
Complexity level
Requires some familiarity with automation concepts.
Related terms
OAuth (Open Authorisation)
An authentication standard that lets users grant third-party apps access to thei…
API Key
A secret token that authenticates your automation with a third-party service. Tr…
JWT (JSON Web Token)
A compact, self-contained authentication token used by many APIs. JWTs expire an…
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More in Security
Keep exploring
Environment variable
A configuration value stored outside your workflow code API keys, pass…
JWT (JSON Web Token)
A compact, self-contained authentication token used by many APIs. JWTs…
OAuth (Open Authorisation)
An authentication standard that lets users grant third-party apps acce…
Token (API)
A credential string used to authenticate API requests. Tokens are eith…
Webhook security
Verifying that incoming webhooks are genuinely from the expected sourc…
Access token
A short-lived credential issued after OAuth authentication that grants…
Go deeper
Guides that cover Authentication
Hair Salon Automation: The Complete Booking-to-Rebooking System (2026)
How hair salons cut no-shows below 3%, raise chair utilization 28%, and turn one-off visits into predictable 4-week rebooking cycles, with real workflow logic and n8n code.
n8n Error Handling and Retry Logic: A Complete Guide (2026)
Most n8n workflows fail silently in production. A complete, code-level guide to building retry logic, dead letter queues, and alerting so your automations actually stay reliable.
n8n HTTP Request Node: Complete Documentation and Examples
The HTTP Request node is the most used node in n8n, connecting your workflows to any API or web service. This guide covers every configuration option, authentication method, error handling pattern, and real-world example you need.