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When an app isn’t here

Use a service GoRunner has no app for, from its own API.

4 min · Cloud, Self-hosted and Embed

Most services have a web API. An HTTP Request step can call it, so a workflow can use the service without an app.

Call its API

  1. Find the service’s API documentation. Note the address of the call you need, its method, and how it signs in.
  2. Make a key or token in the service, if it asks for one.
  3. In the builder, open Variables and save the token as a sensitive variable. GoRunner stores it encrypted and masks it in run data.
  4. Add an HTTP Request step. Fill in Method and URL, and under Authentication, choose how the service signs in.
  5. Put the variable in the token field as an expression, then press Test step.
Expression
{{$vars.SERVICE_TOKEN}}

You should see the service’s reply in the step’s output: its status, headers and body.

If the service documents a curl command, paste it into Import cURL at the top of the step instead. It fills in the method, address, headers and body.

Other ways

What if the service signs in with OAuth?

Set Authentication to OAuth2 (connection). The step then uses a connection that signs in with the service, and renews it for you.

What if the service is on a private network?

Steps can’t reach private addresses, such as 10.0.0.5, or the server GoRunner runs on. On GoRunner Cloud they never can. On a self-hosted installation, an admin can allow some with WORKFLOW_PRIVATE_NETWORKS. See Outbound access.

What if the reply is very large?

A reply over 10 MB fails the step. Ask for less at a time, such as a smaller page.

What if an app isn’t in my list?
  • In a product that embeds GoRunner, your provider chooses the apps, for everyone or for your account. Its Code step switch removes Code, its HTTP step switch removes HTTP Request and GraphQL, and its Sub-flows and MCP switches remove those apps. See Switches.
  • During an update, an app can be missing for a moment, until every worker runs the same version.

Through the API, a step with an app you may not use fails with PIECE_NOT_ALLOWED.

For developers

Through the API, a workflow definition uses the app http with the action send_request. See Get an action’s fields.

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