Refresh token
A long-lived credential used to obtain new access tokens when they expire. Unlike access tokens (which expire in hours), refresh tokens can last weeks or months. PURIST builds token refresh logic into every OAuth integration.
Expert insight
A refresh token that isn't stored securely (in plain text, in a workflow's visible configuration rather than a secrets manager) is as much a security liability as the access token it renews, since anyone with the refresh token can generate new valid access tokens indefinitely without needing to re-authenticate.
In a real workflow
A long-lived refresh token is used to obtain new access tokens automatically.
Common mistakes
- Losing the refresh token when re-authorising.
- Storing it insecurely.
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…
Access token
A short-lived credential issued after OAuth authentication that grants access to…
JWT (JSON Web Token)
A compact, self-contained authentication token used by many APIs. JWTs expire an…
See it in action
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