> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.catenatelematics.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Authentication API Overview

> Secure API access using OAuth 2.0 client credentials

The Authentication API provides OAuth 2.0 endpoints for obtaining and managing access tokens required for all Catena API requests.

<Check>
  **Industry Standard:** OAuth 2.0 provides secure, token-based authentication using the Client Credentials grant type for server-to-server integrations.
</Check>

***

## Available Endpoints

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card icon="unlock" title="Token Generation">
    Exchange your Client ID and Secret for an access token to authorize API requests.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="ban" title="Token Revocation">
    Revoke access tokens and refresh tokens when they're no longer needed or have been compromised.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## How It Works

<Steps>
  <Step title="Request Token" icon="paper-plane">
    Call the token endpoint with your Client ID and Secret to receive an access token.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use Token" icon="shield-check">
    Include the token in the `Authorization: Bearer <token>` header for all API requests.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Refresh or Revoke" icon="rotate">
    Request a new token before expiry or revoke tokens when no longer needed.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  **Getting Credentials:** Contact [support@catenaclearing.io](mailto:support@catenaclearing.io) to receive your Client ID and Secret for API access.
</Info>

***

## Authentication Flow

```mermaid theme={null}
sequenceDiagram
    participant App as Your Application
    participant Auth as Auth Server
    participant API as Catena API

    App->>Auth: POST /token (client_id, client_secret)
    Auth->>App: access_token (expires_in: 3600s)
    App->>API: GET /v2/telematics/vehicles (Bearer token)
    API->>App: 200 OK (vehicle data)

    Note over App,Auth: Token expires after 3600s

    App->>Auth: POST /token (refresh)
    Auth->>App: new access_token
```

***

## Token Management Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Cache Tokens" icon="database">
    Store access tokens in memory and reuse them until they expire. Don't request a new token for every API call—this wastes resources and may trigger rate limits.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Handle Expiration Gracefully" icon="clock">
    Check the `expires_in` value in the token response and refresh proactively before expiration. Alternatively, handle `401 Unauthorized` responses by requesting a new token and retrying.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use Environment Variables" icon="gear">
    Store Client ID and Secret in environment variables or secure credential management systems—never hardcode them in source code.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Implement Token Refresh Logic" icon="arrows-rotate">
    Build automatic token refresh logic into your application to maintain uninterrupted API access.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Monitor for Unauthorized Responses" icon="triangle-exclamation">
    Log and alert on `401 Unauthorized` responses to detect authentication issues or credential problems early.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

# Ready to Get Started?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card icon="rocket" title="Quick Start Guide" href="/get-started/quickstart">
    Get up and running in 10 minutes with our step-by-step integration tutorial.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="book-open" title="API Reference" href="/api-reference">
    Explore all available endpoints, parameters, and response formats.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="user-plus" title="Get API Credentials" href="/get-started/getting-access">
    Request access to start building with the Catena Telematics API.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="plug" title="Supported Providers" href="/get-started/supported-providers">
    Browse the telematics providers available through our platform.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>