Why Management Tokens

Management tokens offer a secure and scalable way to interact with your stack via the Content Management API (CMA), especially in scenarios where traditional authentication methods may not be ideal.

Here are some common use cases where management tokens are particularly useful:

• Useful for SSO Users: In SSO-enabled organizations, users authenticate through an Identity Provider (IdP) and do not receive an Authtoken, which is typically required for CMA access. While it’s possible to disable SSO Strict Mode and log in using traditional credentials, management tokens provide a better alternative. SSO users can use management tokens to make authorized CMA requests—without logging in through the traditional Contentstack login flow.
• Run Scripts and Integrations Without Personal Tokens: Management tokens can perform most of the operations that an Authtoken can (except certain actions involving Users, Workflows, and Publish Rules).
  This makes them ideal for:
  • Automation scripts
  • CI/CD pipelines
  • External system integrations

    Using management tokens ensures that you don’t have to expose or share your personal Authtoken, keeping your credentials secure.

• Risk Mitigation: Management tokens can be invalidated at any time, providing flexibility and control. If a token is ever exposed or compromised, it can be revoked immediately—minimizing risk without affecting user accounts or requiring password resets.