# Custom Authentication
This guide helps you connect CX Genie with your system to automatically retrieve user contact information through a secure API, instead of manual input.
#### π οΈ Step 1: Set up Authentication API
1. **Go to** `Custom Authentication` **in CX Genie** (under Development in Bot Detail).
2. **Enable the toggle** to activate the feature.
3. **Enter your Authentication URL**\
\- This should be an API endpoint in your system that CX Genie can call via a `POST` request.
4. **Example request body CX Genie will send:**
`{ "access_token": "...", "user_id": "..." }`
#### πͺͺ Step 2: Pass Access Token and Optional User Info in Embed Script
To use Custom Authentication, you must pass an `access_token` from your website into the CX Genie chat widget.
Use the `data-token` attribute in your script tag:
``
**β
Optionally, pass additional user fields:**
If enabled in the **Additional request body** section (e.g., "User ID" is checked), you can also pass more user-specific data via additional `data-` attributes:
| Attribute | Description |
| ------------------- | --------------------- |
| `data-user-id` | Unique ID of the user |
| `data-email` | Userβs email address |
| `data-name` | Full name |
| `data-phone-number` | Phone number |
**Example:**
``
These values will be included in the request body sent to your authentication API if configured accordingly.
#### π€ Step 3: Configure the Response Format
CX Genie needs to determine whether a user already exists in the system. You must configure your API to return a response with one of the following primary identifiers:
* `id` (default)
* `email`
* `phone_number`
You can select the identification method from the **"Identify method"** dropdown in the **Custom Authentication** screen.
**β€ Required Field Based on Your Selection:**
| Selected Method | Required in `data` response |
| --------------- | --------------------------- |
| `Id` | `id` |
| `Email` | `email` |
| `Phone number` | `phone_number` |
**β
Full Example Response:**
`{ "data": { "id": "12345", "email": "user@example.com", "name": "John Doe", "phone_number": "0987654321", "metadata": {} } }`
> π **Note:** The field you choose must always be included in the response. If it's missing, the authentication may fail.
#### π§ͺ Step 4: Test Your Setup
Use the **Testing panel** on the right side of the screen:
1. Enter a sample `access_token` and select additional body fields.
2. Click **Send test request** to verify your API is responding correctly.
***
#### π Tips
* You can use the `metadata` field to give the bot more context about the user.
* Ensure your API is secured and only accessible from authorized sources.
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