# Connect an app

**Category:** [Orchestration](https://help.totalctrl.app/hc/totalctrl/totalctrl-help-center/en-US/categories/orchestration)
**Updated:** 2026-08-19

## Why connections exist

Most external apps need credentials before Orchestration can act on your behalf. A **connection** stores those credentials once so any workflow can reuse them. Built-in TotalCtrl apps (such as creating a task, support ticket, or invoice) and outbound Email and Webhook actions run without a connection.
## Add a connection

- Open the **Connections** page and click **Add Connection** (or open an app from the [Marketplace](/hc/orchestration/browse-the-app-marketplace) and connect from there).
- Choose the app you want to connect.
- Give the connection a name — useful when you have more than one account for the same app.
- Enter the required credentials. The fields depend on the app's authentication type: an **API key** (for example Notion, Stripe, or Jira), an **OAuth** login (for example Slack, Gmail, or Salesforce), or a **webhook URL** (for example Discord or Microsoft Teams).

Saved connections show a **Status** of Active, Error, or Expired.
## Use a connection in a workflow

When you add an action for a connected app in the Builder, pick which connection it should use. If an action runs without a valid connection, the step reports `connection_required` — add the connection on this page and run the workflow again.
## Remove a connection

Click **Disconnect** next to any connection to remove it. Workflows that relied on it will need a new connection selected before they can run successfully.

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## Related Articles

- [Orchestration Overview](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/orchestration-overview)
- [Connect an app](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/connect-an-app-1)
- [Build your first workflow](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/build-your-first-workflow)
- [Filters: stop a run when conditions aren't met](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/flow-control-filters)
- [Delays: pause a workflow for minutes, hours, or days](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/flow-control-delays)

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