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When you need connections to proprietary systems, internal tools, or services not in Beam’s integration catalog, custom integrations let you build direct API connections.
Custom integration builder with name, category, authentication, custom headers, and tool options

When to Build Custom Integrations

Internal Systems

Connect proprietary business systems and internal platforms

Specialized Services

Integrate industry-specific platforms not in the catalog

Custom APIs

Work with custom-built APIs and microservices

Custom Auth

Implement specialized authentication requirements
Before Building:
  • Check if the service exists in Beam’s 1500+ integration catalog
  • Have API documentation ready (OpenAPI spec preferred)
  • Confirm authentication credentials and permissions

Building a Custom Integration

1

Access Integration Builder

In the workspace sidebar, open Integrations, then select Create custom integration.
2

Configure Basics

Name: Clear, descriptive (e.g., “Acme CRM API”)Upload an icon: Optional, for visual identificationCategory: Select appropriate category for filtering
3

Configure Authentication

Select None, API Key, Basic, or OAuth (2.0). Add any required custom header keys and values in the header table.
4

Define Tools and Actions

Choose Add tool for manual tool setup or Import from URL to start from a specification URL. The builder also provides a Bypass SSL verification option.
5

Configure Tool Details

API Endpoint:
  • HTTP Method: GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE
  • Endpoint URL with parameter placeholders
  • Example: https://api.vendor.com/orders/{order_id}
Tool configuration with endpoint and parameters
Parameters:
  • URL: Path variables ({order_id})
  • Query: URL parameters (?status=completed)
  • Body: JSON for POST/PUT/PATCH
Query parameters configuration
Each parameter needs:
  • Key (name)
  • Type (String, Number, Boolean, Object, Array)
  • Parameter hint (AI context)
  • Required toggle
Test Tool: Validate with sample values before saving
6

Save and Add Connection

Select Save to create the integration. Select Discard to leave the builder without saving.

Using in Workflows

Adding Custom Integration to Nodes

  1. Select Tool: Browse to your custom integration in node configuration
  2. Choose Action: Pick specific API operation
  3. Map Inputs: Use variable fill methods to pass data
  4. Select Connection: Choose which credentials to use

Accessing Outputs

Custom integration outputs are accessible to downstream nodes:
Example:

Authentication Methods

API Key

Most common method. Configure where the key is sent:
  • Bearer: Authorization: Bearer {api_key}
  • Header: Custom header name
  • Query: URL parameter
Best Practice: Use connection-level storage, rotate regularly, separate keys for environments

OAuth 2.0

Secure, user-authorized access: Authorization Code: User explicitly authorizes, supports token refresh Client Credentials: Machine-to-machine, no user authorization Required: Authorization URL, Access Token URL, Scopes, Client ID/Secret

Basic

Username/password for legacy systems. Less secure than modern methods.

Schema Definition

OpenAPI Import

Fastest setup for documented APIs:
  1. Provide OpenAPI spec URL
  2. System generates tools automatically
  3. Review and activate endpoints
Supports OpenAPI 3.0.x, 2.0 (Swagger), JSON or YAML

Manual Schema

For APIs without OpenAPI specs:

Testing

Test Tool Feature:
  1. Open tool configuration
  2. Click “Test tool” tab
  3. Provide sample values
  4. Verify response structure
Test in Workflow:
  • Build minimal flow with static data
  • Run task manually
  • Review execution results
  • Verify data flows to next nodes

Common Errors

401 Unauthorized: Check credentials, token expiration, OAuth scopes 400 Bad Request: Verify required parameters, types, formats 429 Too Many Requests: Add delays, use caching, batch operations Request Timeout: Check endpoint accessibility, optimize queries

Advanced Patterns

Dynamic Endpoints: Use variable substitution
Pagination: Loop through pages, extract next token, aggregate results Response Transformation: Use Custom GPT tools to process raw API data into structured outputs

Best Practices

Security:
  • Never expose API keys in logs
  • Separate credentials for dev/staging/prod
  • Rotate credentials regularly
Performance:
  • Minimize unnecessary requests
  • Cache frequently accessed data
  • Respect rate limits
Maintenance:
  • Document API version in integration name
  • Test after API updates
  • Monitor provider changelogs

Examples

Internal CRM

  • Auth: API Key (Header)
  • Tools: Get Customer, Create Customer, Update Status
  • Use: Workflow creates CRM record on signup

Legacy ERP

  • Auth: Basic Authentication
  • Tools: Query Inventory, Create PO, Update Status
  • Use: Check inventory before order, create PO if low

Microservices

  • Auth: OAuth 2.0 (Client Credentials)
  • Tools: Process Order, Calculate Shipping, Validate Payment
  • Use: E-commerce workflow orchestrates multiple services

Next Steps

Multi-Agent Collaboration

Enable agents to call other agents for complex workflows

Integrations

Learn about pre-built integration catalog

Structured Outputs

Design predictable output schemas for integrations

Multi-Agent Collaboration

Enable agents to share data and coordinate workflows