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Java Client

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This guide covers the official Zitadel Management API Client for the JVM (Java 11+), which allows you to programmatically manage resources in your Zitadel instance.

info

This is a Management API Client, not an Authentication SDK.

This library is designed for server-to-server communication to manage your Zitadel instance (e.g., creating users, managing projects, and updating settings). It is not intended for handling end-user login flows in your web application. For user authentication, you should use a standard OIDC library like Spring Security.

The Zitadel Java Client provides an idiomatic way to access the full gamut of Zitadel's v2 Management APIs from your JVM-based backend applications.

Please be aware that this client library is currently in an incubating stage. While it is available for use, the API and its functionality may evolve, potentially introducing breaking changes in future updates. We advise caution when considering it for production environments.

Installation​

You can add the client library to your project using Maven by adding the following dependency to your pom.xml :

<dependency>
    <groupId>io.github.zitadel</groupId>
    <artifactId>client</artifactId>
    <version>4.0.0-beta-1</version>
</dependency>

Using the SDK​

Your SDK offers three ways to authenticate with Zitadel. Each method has its own benefits—choose the one that fits your situation best.

1. Private Key JWT Authentication​

What is it? You use a JSON Web Token (JWT) that you sign with a private key stored in a JSON file. This process creates a secure token.

When should you use it?

  • Best for production: It offers strong security.
  • Advanced control: You can adjust token settings like expiration.

How do you use it?

  1. Save your private key in a JSON file.
  2. Build the authenticator using the helper method.

Example:

import com.zitadel.ApiException;
import com.zitadel.Zitadel;
import com.zitadel.model.UserServiceAddHumanUserRequest;
import com.zitadel.model.UserServiceAddHumanUserResponse;
import com.zitadel.model.UserServiceSetHumanEmail;
import com.zitadel.model.UserServiceSetHumanProfile;

class Demo {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws ApiException {
        Zitadel zitadel = Zitadel.withPrivateKey("https://example.us1.zitadel.cloud", "path/to/jwt-key.json");

        UserServiceAddHumanUserResponse response = zitadel.users.userServiceAddHumanUser(
                new UserServiceAddHumanUserRequest()
                        .username("john.doe")
                        .profile(new UserServiceSetHumanProfile()
                                .givenName("John")
                                .familyName("Doe"))
                        .email(new UserServiceSetHumanEmail()
                                .email("john@doe.com"))
        );
        System.out.println("User created: " + response);
    }
}

2. Client Credentials Grant​

What is it? This method uses a client ID and client secret to get a secure access token, which is then used to authenticate.

When should you use it?

  • Simple and straightforward: Good for server-to-server communication.
  • Trusted environments: Use it when both servers are owned or trusted.

How do you use it?

  1. Provide your client ID and client secret.
  2. Build the authenticator using the helper method.

Example:

import com.zitadel.ApiException;
import com.zitadel.Zitadel;
import com.zitadel.model.UserServiceAddHumanUserRequest;
import com.zitadel.model.UserServiceAddHumanUserResponse;
import com.zitadel.model.UserServiceSetHumanEmail;
import com.zitadel.model.UserServiceSetHumanProfile;

class Demo {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws ApiException {
        Zitadel zitadel = Zitadel.withClientCredentials("https://example.us1.zitadel.cloud", "id", "secret");

        UserServiceAddHumanUserResponse response = zitadel.users.addHumanUser(
                new UserServiceAddHumanUserRequest()
                        .username("john.doe")
                        .profile(new UserServiceSetHumanProfile()
                                .givenName("John")
                                .familyName("Doe"))
                        .email(new UserServiceSetHumanEmail()
                                .email("john@doe.com"))
        );
        System.out.println("User created: " + response);
    }
}

3. Personal Access Tokens (PATs)​

What is it? A Personal Access Token (PAT) is a pre-generated token that you can use to authenticate without exchanging credentials every time.

When should you use it?

  • Easy to use: Great for development or testing scenarios.
  • Quick setup: No need for dynamic token generation.

How do you use it?

  1. Obtain a valid personal access token from your account.
  2. Build the authenticator using the helper method.

Example:

import com.zitadel.ApiException;
import com.zitadel.Zitadel;
import com.zitadel.model.UserServiceAddHumanUserRequest;
import com.zitadel.model.UserServiceAddHumanUserResponse;
import com.zitadel.model.UserServiceSetHumanEmail;
import com.zitadel.model.UserServiceSetHumanProfile;

class Demo {

    public static void main(String[] args) throws ApiException {
        Zitadel zitadel = Zitadel.withAccessToken("https://example.us1.zitadel.cloud", "token");

        UserServiceAddHumanUserResponse response = zitadel.users.addHumanUser(
                new UserServiceAddHumanUserRequest()
                        .username("john.doe")
                        .profile(new UserServiceSetHumanProfile()
                                .givenName("John")
                                .familyName("Doe"))
                        .email(new UserServiceSetHumanEmail()
                                .email("john@doe.com"))
        );
        System.out.println("User created: " + response);
    }
}

Choose the authentication method that best suits your needs based on your environment and security requirements. For more details, please refer to the Zitadel documentation on authenticating service users.

Versioning​

The client library's versioning is aligned with the Zitadel core project. The major version of the client corresponds to the major version of Zitadel it is designed to work with. For example, v2.x.x of the client is built for and tested against Zitadel v2, ensuring a predictable and stable integration.

Resources​