Marketplace Apps: Managing External Connections in Sparkforge

By Sparkforge Support Team ·Last reviewed May 3, 2026

Sparkforge marketplace apps connect to third-party tools at the sub-account level using OAuth, API keys, or Basic Auth. Single installs prompt for the connection immediately; bulk installs require each sub-account user to connect from their own marketplace.

Marketplace apps let Sparkforge talk to third-party tools. Every app needs a connection to the external service before data flows. Here is how those connections are scoped, when they are prompted, and which authentication methods are supported.

How connections are scoped

  • Connections are made at the sub-account level. Each sub-account holds its own credentials with the third-party app — connecting once at the agency level does not propagate downstream.
  • If you install an app into a single sub-account and that app needs an external connection, the connection prompt opens right after install completes.
  • If you bulk-install an app across many sub-accounts, the connection prompt does not open automatically. Each sub-account user must open their marketplace and connect the app themselves before it works.

Supported authentication methods

Sparkforge marketplace apps use one of three authentication methods, set by the app's developer:

  • OAuth — log in to the third-party app and authorize Sparkforge. Tokens refresh automatically.
  • API Keys — copy the API key from the third-party app and paste it into Sparkforge.
  • Basic Auth — provide the username and password for the third-party account.

If a connection breaks (revoked token, rotated key, changed password), reconnect from the same sub-account marketplace where the app was installed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect a marketplace app once and use it across all sub-accounts?
No. Connections are scoped per sub-account. Each sub-account that uses the app needs its own connection to the third-party service.
Why didn't my bulk-installed app prompt me to connect it?
Bulk installs skip the connection prompt by design. Each sub-account user opens their own marketplace and connects the app from there.
Which authentication method should I use?
Use whichever method the third-party app developer supports. OAuth is most common, followed by API keys, then Basic Auth for older systems.
What happens if my connection breaks?
Open the marketplace inside the affected sub-account and reconnect the app. Tokens, keys, and passwords are tied to that sub-account, not the agency.

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