---
title:  Box
slug: authentication-guides/box
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-10-05T04:44:25.642Z
---

# Introduction

This guide tells you how to authenticate the **Box** connector in Swimlane using OAuth 2.0.

The Box connector enables Swimlane Turbine to interact with Box for file and content management operations, including files, folders, users, collaborations, events, shared links, search, workflows, groups, and uploads.

The existing Box connector provides **two authentication configurations**:

- **Box Authentication using OAuth2.0**, which uses an access token.
- **Box Authentication**, which supports OAuth parameters such as Client ID, Client Secret, Grant Type, authorization code, and refresh token.

## Prerequisites

Before configuring the Box connector, ensure you have:

- A Box account with access to the content and resources you want to use with Swimlane.
- A Box application configured to use OAuth 2.0.
- The required permissions for the Box APIs that your playbooks will use.
- The authentication credentials required for your selected Swimlane authentication method.

The existing connector specifically identifies the Box API URL and OAuth 2.0 access token for access-token authentication. For the other authentication configuration, it requires a Client ID, Client Secret, and Grant Type.

# Authenticate Using an OAuth 2.0 Access Token

Use **Box Authentication using Oauth2.0** when you already have a valid Box OAuth 2.0 access token.

## Obtain an Access Token in Box

The Swimlane connector documentation currently states that a valid OAuth 2.0 access token is required for this authentication method.

Generate the access token using your Box OAuth 2.0 application and the authentication flow appropriate for your environment.

For information about configuring OAuth 2.0 and obtaining tokens, refer to the **Box OAuth 2.0 authentication documentation**.

**Note:** The existing Swimlane connector documentation states that the Swimlane team can provide a Python script and instructions for generating an OAuth 2.0 access token.

Once generated, copy the access token. You will use it to configure the Box asset in Swimlane.

## Configure the Box Asset in Swimlane

Take the following steps:

1. Log in to **Turbine**.
2. From the left-hand navigation pane, click **ORCHESTRATION** and click **Assets**.
3. Click the plus icon to open the **Configure your Connector Asset** window.
4. Select **Box** from the **Asset type** list.
5. Select **Box Authentication using Oauth2.0**.
6. Configure the following fields:

| **Field**     | **Description**                                              | **Required/Optional** |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | --------------------- |
| url           | URL of the target Box API host.                              | Required              |
| access\_token | OAuth 2.0 access token used to authenticate requests to Box. | Required              |
| verify\_ssl   | Specifies whether to verify the SSL certificate.             | Optional              |
| http\_proxy   | Proxy through which requests are routed, if required.        | Optional              |

These are the configuration parameters defined by the current connector.

7. Click **Create**.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/n8uUzk0MM4uC57-zlHNtY/T_1oF1yOQd_Y7A2UFVuBI_image.png" size="200" isUploading="false" width="2048" height="1034" darkWidth="2048" darkHeight="1034" showCaption="false"}

# Authenticate Using Box Authentication

The connector also provides **Box Authentication** for configuring authentication with Box OAuth parameters rather than supplying only an access token.

## Obtain Your Box Application Credentials

Configure an OAuth 2.0 application in Box and obtain the credentials required for your authentication flow.

At minimum, the Swimlane configuration requires:

- **Client ID**
- **Client Secret**
- **Grant Type**

Additional OAuth parameters can be supplied depending on the authentication flow being used. The connector supports values including authorization code and refresh token.

Keep your **Client Secret** secure. Do not expose it in playbooks, documentation, or other locations accessible to unauthorized users.

## Configure the Box Asset in Swimlane

1. Log in to **Turbine**.
2. From the left-hand navigation pane, click **ORCHESTRATION** and click **Assets**.
3. Click the plus icon.
4. Select **Box** from the **Asset type** list.
5. Select **Box Authentication**.
6. Configure the authentication fields required for your Box OAuth flow.

The available fields are:

| **Field**            | **Description**                                               | **Required/Optional** |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------- |
| url                  | URL of the target Box API host.                               | Required              |
| client\_id           | Client ID of your Box application.                            | Required              |
| client\_secret       | Client Secret associated with your Box application.           | Required              |
| grant\_type          | OAuth grant type used to obtain authorization.                | Required              |
| code                 | Authorization code, when required by the selected OAuth flow. | Optional              |
| refresh\_token       | Refresh token, when required by the selected OAuth flow.      | Optional              |
| actor\_token         | Actor token.                                                  | Optional              |
| actor\_token\_type   | Actor token type.                                             | Optional              |
| assertion            | Assertion used by the authentication request.                 | Optional              |
| box\_shared\_link    | Box shared link.                                              | Optional              |
| box\_subject\_id     | Box subject ID.                                               | Optional              |
| box\_subject\_type   | Box subject type.                                             | Optional              |
| resource             | Resource associated with the authentication request.          | Optional              |
| scope                | OAuth scope.                                                  | Optional              |
| subject\_token       | Subject token.                                                | Optional              |
| subject\_token\_type | Subject token type.                                           | Optional              |
| verify\_ssl          | Specifies whether to verify the SSL certificate.              | Optional              |
| http\_proxy          | Proxy through which requests are routed, if required.         | Optional              |

Only url, client\_id, client\_secret, and grant\_type are marked as required in the existing connector configuration. The remaining authentication parameters are optional and depend on the OAuth flow being used.

7. Click **Create**.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/n8uUzk0MM4uC57-zlHNtY/j6peE_VdHG3hGH2Cw_OaD_image.png" size="200" isUploading="false" width="2048" height="1038" darkWidth="2048" darkHeight="1038" showCaption="false"}

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/n8uUzk0MM4uC57-zlHNtY/ektkPiyc1kVQ2jvzTWzt3_image.png" size="200" isUploading="false" width="2048" height="1022" darkWidth="2048" darkHeight="1022" showCaption="false"}

## Troubleshooting

If authentication fails:

- Verify that the **Client ID** and **Client Secret** belong to the correct Box application.
- Verify that the selected grant\_type and any accompanying OAuth parameters match the authentication flow configured for the Box application.
- If using **Box Authentication using Oauth2.0**, verify that the access\_token is valid.
- If an individual connector action returns an authorization error, verify that the Box application has access to the corresponding Box resource and API.
- Verify the configured Box API url.
- If you are using a proxy, verify the http\_proxy configuration.
- If SSL validation fails, verify the verify\_ssl setting and the certificates available in your environment.

**Result:** The Box connector is authenticated and can be used by Swimlane playbooks to interact with the Box resources permitted by the configured credentials.
