> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.gobo.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.gobo.io/app-development/get-an-access-token.md).

# Get an Access Token

In order for your app to begin making API calls, you must first obtain an access token. 

Gobo serves as an OAuth 2.0-compliant authorization server, and issues access tokens to apps for accessing your API(s).

### What is OAuth?

OAuth is an open standard for access delegation, commonly used as a way for Internet users to grant websites or applications access to their information on other websites but without giving them the passwords. – [Whitson Gordon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OAuth#cite_note-1)

### OAuth2 Authorization Grants

An authorization grant is a credential representing the resource owner’s authorization (to access its protected resources) used by the client to obtain an access token. – [RFC6749](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6749#section-1.3)

The OAuth framework specifies several [grant types](https://oauth.net/2/grant-types/) for different use cases. Gobo supports two of the grant types for accessing your API(s):

* [Client credentials](/app-development/get-an-access-token/client-credentials-flow.md) - for access on behalf of an app
* [Authorization code](/app-development/get-an-access-token/authorization-code-flow.md) - for access on behalf of a customeruser

Only access tokens obtained via the authorization code flow will contain a `user` claim.


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