Generate Personal Access Keys In HubSpot Settings
Want to connect HubSpot to an app, an automation, or an AI agent? You'll need a personal access key — and in the next couple of minutes, I'll walk you through generating one from scratch. Here's the quick context: a personal access key is like a secure password that lets outside tools talk to your HubSpot account on your behalf. You get to choose exactly what it's allowed to touch — contacts, files, CMS pages, and more — so you stay in control. Let's log in and create one together.
Written By Fred
Last updated 2 days ago
Go to app-na2.hubspot.com
1. Introduction
Start by signing in to your HubSpot account at app.hubspot.com. Once you're in, you'll land on your home dashboard. Everything we need lives in your account settings, so let's head there next.
2. Access HubSpot User Guide
Look to the top-right corner of the screen and find the gear icon. That's your Settings. Click it, and HubSpot takes you into the full settings area where all your account preferences live.
3. Open User Preferences
In the settings menu on the left, scroll down until you see "Integrations." Click it to expand the section. A handful of new options will slide open underneath it.
4. Select Private Apps Section
From those new options, click "Private Apps." This is where HubSpot keeps the tools for connecting your own apps and integrations — and it's where your access keys are managed.
5. Access Private Apps Options
On this page you'll see a Development menu. Find "Keys" and click it to expand. This opens up the different types of keys HubSpot offers, so you can pick the right one.
6. Choose Personal Access Key
From the list that opens, click "Personal Access Key." This is the one we want — it's tied to your user and your account, and it's the simplest way to authenticate an integration.
7. Initiate Access Key Setup
Now here's the important part. You'll see a list of permissions, each with a checkbox. These decide exactly what your key is allowed to do. Check only the ones your integration actually needs — like CRM Objects if you're working with contacts, or File Manager if you're handling files. Keeping it tight is safer.
8. Generate Personal Access Key
Once your permissions look right, scroll to the bottom and click "Generate personal access key." HubSpot creates your key on the spot, and you'll see a success message confirming it's ready.
9. Reveal Access Key
Your new key is hidden behind dots for safety. Click "Show" to reveal it. You'll also see the exact scopes you granted listed right below, so you can double-check everything looks correct.
10. Copy Access Key
Now click "Copy" to grab the key to your clipboard, and paste it straight into whatever tool you're connecting. Store it somewhere safe, like a password manager. And once you're done, click "Hide" to tuck it back out of sight.
And that's it. You've generated a personal access key in HubSpot, set the exact permissions you wanted, and copied it for use. You're now ready to connect HubSpot to your apps and automations securely. Thanks for watching, and I'll catch you in the next one.