Choose your Zendesk setup
Glean offers two Zendesk connection flows. Which flow applies to you depends on your Glean deployment, not on when you personally connect Zendesk.
- New setup: Use this flow if you created your Glean deployment on or after September 11, 2026.
- Previous setup: Use this flow if you created your Glean deployment before September 11, 2026. Use it even if you are connecting Zendesk for the first time.
Both paths use the same Zendesk connector and permission model, and both provide permission-aware Zendesk search. They differ in what you configure up front and when each capability becomes available.
Zendesk setup comparison: New vs. previous
The New setup separates tools authorization from indexing configuration across three guided steps:
- Connect authorizes Zendesk tools through Central or Custom OAuth.
- Set up indexing collects the Zendesk domain, crawl selections, and QPS, then authorizes indexing access.
- Review setup lets you choose who can use Zendesk content and tools before indexing begins.
Because tools authorization is separate from indexing, team members can search Zendesk content and take action through Glean as soon as they authenticate with Zendesk, while indexing builds in the background.
The Previous setup uses one connector setup page to collect the connector name, Zendesk domain, crawl options, and QPS. If the form shows Authorize, save these settings first, then authorize indexing through central OAuth. Otherwise, provide the API token and token-owner email before saving. You configure tools separately, if your deployment exposes them.
| Capability | New setup | Previous setup |
|---|---|---|
| Setup flow | Connect, Set up indexing, and Review setup | One combined connector form |
| Tools authentication | Central or customer-owned Custom OAuth | Configure tools separately if your deployment exposes them |
| Indexing configuration | Separate domain, crawl scope, QPS, and authorization step | Domain, crawl scope, and QPS, with central OAuth or an API token and token-owner email |
| User access | Choose All users, Test group only, or None during review | Use your deployment's access controls |
| Tools configuration | Configure tools from the connector's Tools tab after setup | Use your deployment's separate tools configuration |
| Where to start | Set up Zendesk | Connect Zendesk with Glean |