Authentication API Overview
The Authentication API provides OAuth 2.0 endpoints for obtaining and managing access tokens required for all Catena API requests.
Industry Standard: OAuth 2.0 provides secure, token-based authentication using the Client Credentials grant type for server-to-server integrations.
Available Endpoints
How It Works
Getting Credentials: Contact support@catenaclearing.io to receive your Client ID and Secret for API access.
Authentication Flow
Token Management Best Practices
Cache Tokens
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.
Handle Expiration Gracefully
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.
Use Environment Variables
Store Client ID and Secret in environment variables or secure credential management systems—never hardcode them in source code.
Implement Token Refresh Logic
Build automatic token refresh logic into your application to maintain uninterrupted API access.
Monitor for Unauthorized Responses
Log and alert on 401 Unauthorized responses to detect authentication issues or credential problems early.