consul/website/pages/api-docs/acl/auth-methods.mdx

---
layout: api
page_title: ACL Auth Methods - HTTP API
sidebar_title: Auth Methods
description: The /acl/auth-method endpoints manage Consul's ACL Auth Methods.
---

# ACL Auth Method HTTP API

-> **1.5.0+:** The auth method APIs are available in Consul versions 1.5.0 and newer.

The `/acl/auth-method` endpoints [create](#create-an-auth-method),
[read](#read-an-auth-method), [update](#update-an-auth-method),
[list](#list-auth-methods) and [delete](#delete-an-auth-method)
ACL auth methods in Consul.

For more information on how to setup ACLs, please see
the [ACL Guide](https://learn.hashicorp.com/consul/advanced/day-1-operations/production-acls).

## Create an Auth Method

This endpoint creates a new ACL auth method.

| Method | Path               | Produces           |
| ------ | ------------------ | ------------------ |
| `PUT`  | `/acl/auth-method` | `application/json` |

The table below shows this endpoint's support for
[blocking queries](/api/features/blocking),
[consistency modes](/api/features/consistency),
[agent caching](/api/features/caching), and
[required ACLs](/api#authentication).

| Blocking Queries | Consistency Modes | Agent Caching | ACL Required |
| ---------------- | ----------------- | ------------- | ------------ |
| `NO`             | `none`            | `none`        | `acl:write`  |

### Payload Fields

- `Name` `(string: <required>)` - Specifies a name for the ACL auth method. The
  name can contain alphanumeric characters, dashes `-`, and underscores `_`.
  This field is immutable and must be unique.

- `Type` `(string: <required>)` - The type of auth method being configured.
  The only allowed value in Consul 1.5.0 is `"kubernetes"`. This field is
  immutable.

- `Description` `(string: "")` - Free form human readable description of the
  auth method.

- `DisplayName` `(string: "")` - An optional name to use instead of the `Name`
  field when displaying information about this auth method. Added in Consul 1.8.0.

- `MaxTokenTTL` `(duration: 0s)` - This specifies the maximum life of any token
  created by this auth method. When set it will initialize the
  [`ExpirationTime`](/api/acl/tokens.html#expirationtime) field on all tokens
  to a value of `Token.CreateTime + AuthMethod.MaxTokenTTL`.  This field is not
  persisted beyond its initial use. Can be specified in the form of `"60s"` or
  `"5m"` (i.e., 60 seconds or 5 minutes, respectively). This value must be no
  smaller than 1 minute and no longer than 24 hours. Added in Consul 1.8.0.

- `Config` `(map[string]string: <required>)` - The raw configuration to use for
  the chosen auth method. Contents will vary depending upon the type chosen.
  For more information on configuring specific auth method types, see the [auth
  method documentation](/docs/acl/acl-auth-methods).

- `Namespace` `(string: "")` <EnterpriseAlert inline /> - Specifies the namespace to
  create the auth method within. If not provided in the JSON body, the value of
  the `ns` URL query parameter or in the `X-Consul-Namespace` header will be used.
  If not provided at all, the namespace will be inherited from the request's ACL
  token or will default to the `default` namespace. Added in Consul 1.7.0.

- `NamespaceRules` `(array<NamespaceRule>)` <EnterpriseAlert inline /> - A set
  of rules that can control which namespace tokens created via this auth method
  will be created within. Note that assigning namespaces via rules requires the
  auth method to reside within the `default` namespace. Unlike binding rules,
  the **first** matching namespace rule wins. Added in Consul 1.8.0.

  - `Selector` `(string: "")` - Specifies the expression used to match this
    namespace rule against valid identities returned from an auth method
    validation. If empty this namespace rule matches all valid identities
    returned from the auth method. For example:

    ```text
    serviceaccount.namespace==default and serviceaccount.name!=vault
    ```

  - `BindNamespace` `(string: <required>)` - If the namespace rule's `Selector`
    matches then this is used to control the namespace where the token is
    created. This can either be a plain string or lightly templated
    using [HIL syntax](https://github.com/hashicorp/hil) to interpolate the
    same values that are usable by the `Selector` syntax. For example:

    ```text
    prefixed-${serviceaccount.name}
    ```

### Sample Payload

```json
{
  "Name": "minikube",
  "Type": "kubernetes",
  "Description": "dev minikube cluster",
  "Config": {
    "Host": "https://192.0.2.42:8443",
    "CACert": "-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----\n...-----END CERTIFICATE-----\n",
    "ServiceAccountJWT": "eyJhbGciOiJSUzI1NiIsImtpZCI6IiJ9..."
  }
}
```

### Sample Request

```shell
$ curl -X PUT \
    --data @payload.json \
    http://127.0.0.1:8500/v1/acl/auth-method
```

### Sample Response

```json
{
  "Name": "minikube",
  "Type": "kubernetes",
  "Description": "dev minikube cluster",
  "Config": {
    "Host": "https://192.0.2.42:8443",
    "CACert": "-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----\n...-----END CERTIFICATE-----\n",
    "ServiceAccountJWT": "eyJhbGciOiJSUzI1NiIsImtpZCI6IiJ9..."
  },
  "CreateIndex": 15,
  "ModifyIndex": 15
}
```

## Read an Auth Method

This endpoint reads an ACL auth method with the given name. If no
auth method exists with the given name, a 404 is returned instead of a
200 response.

| Method | Path                     | Produces           |
| ------ | ------------------------ | ------------------ |
| `GET`  | `/acl/auth-method/:name` | `application/json` |

The table below shows this endpoint's support for
[blocking queries](/api/features/blocking),
[consistency modes](/api/features/consistency),
[agent caching](/api/features/caching), and
[required ACLs](/api#authentication).

| Blocking Queries | Consistency Modes | Agent Caching | ACL Required |
| ---------------- | ----------------- | ------------- | ------------ |
| `YES`            | `all`             | `none`        | `acl:read`   |

### Parameters

- `name` `(string: <required>)` - Specifies the name of the ACL auth method to
  read. This is required and is specified as part of the URL path.

- `ns` `(string: "")` <EnterpriseAlert inline /> - Specifies the namespace to lookup
  the auth method within. This value can be specified as the `ns` URL query
  parameter or in the `X-Consul-Namespace` header. If not provided by either,
  the namespace will be inherited from the request's ACL token or will default
  to the `default` namespace. Added in Consul 1.7.0.

### Sample Request

```shell
$ curl -X GET http://127.0.0.1:8500/v1/acl/auth-method/minikube
```

### Sample Response

```json
{
  "Name": "minikube",
  "Type": "kubernetes",
  "Description": "dev minikube cluster",
  "Config": {
    "Host": "https://192.0.2.42:8443",
    "CACert": "-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----\n...-----END CERTIFICATE-----\n",
    "ServiceAccountJWT": "eyJhbGciOiJSUzI1NiIsImtpZCI6IiJ9..."
  },
  "CreateIndex": 15,
  "ModifyIndex": 224
}
```

## Update an Auth Method

This endpoint updates an existing ACL auth method.

| Method | Path                     | Produces           |
| ------ | ------------------------ | ------------------ |
| `PUT`  | `/acl/auth-method/:name` | `application/json` |

The table below shows this endpoint's support for
[blocking queries](/api/features/blocking),
[consistency modes](/api/features/consistency),
[agent caching](/api/features/caching), and
[required ACLs](/api#authentication).

| Blocking Queries | Consistency Modes | Agent Caching | ACL Required |
| ---------------- | ----------------- | ------------- | ------------ |
| `NO`             | `none`            | `none`        | `acl:write`  |

### Parameters

- `Name` `(string: <required>)` - Specifies the name of the auth method to
  update. This is required in the URL path but may also be specified in the
  JSON body. If specified in both places then they must match exactly.

- `Type` `(string: <required>)` - Specifies the type of the auth method being
  updated. This field is immutable so if present in the body then it must
  match the existing value. If not present then the value will be filled in by
  Consul.

- `Description` `(string: "")` - Free form human readable description of the
  auth method.

- `DisplayName` `(string: "")` - An optional name to use instead of the `Name`
  field when displaying information about this auth method. Added in Consul 1.8.0.

- `MaxTokenTTL` `(duration: 0s)` - This specifies the maximum life of any token
  created by this auth method. When set it will initialize the
  [`ExpirationTime`](/api/acl/tokens.html#expirationtime) field on all tokens
  to a value of `Token.CreateTime + AuthMethod.MaxTokenTTL`.  This field is not
  persisted beyond its initial use. Can be specified in the form of `"60s"` or
  `"5m"` (i.e., 60 seconds or 5 minutes, respectively). This value must be no
  smaller than 1 minute and no longer than 24 hours. Added in Consul 1.8.0.

- `Config` `(map[string]string: <required>)` - The raw configuration to use for
  the chosen auth method. Contents will vary depending upon the type chosen.
  For more information on configuring specific auth method types, see the [auth
  method documentation](/docs/acl/acl-auth-methods).

- `Namespace` `(string: "")` <EnterpriseAlert inline /> - Specifies the namespace of
  the auth method to update. If not provided in the JSON body, the value of
  the `ns` URL query parameter or in the `X-Consul-Namespace` header will be used.
  If not provided at all, the namespace will be inherited from the request's ACL
  token or will default to the `default` namespace. Added in Consul 1.7.0.

- `NamespaceRules` `(array<NamespaceRule>)` <EnterpriseAlert inline /> - A set
  of rules that can control which namespace tokens created via this auth method
  will be created within. Note that assigning namespaces via rules requires the
  auth method to reside within the `default` namespace. Unlike binding rules,
  the **first** matching namespace rule wins. Added in Consul 1.8.0.

  - `Selector` `(string: "")` - Specifies the expression used to match this
    namespace rule against valid identities returned from an auth method
    validation. If empty this namespace rule matches all valid identities
    returned from the auth method. For example:

    ```text
    serviceaccount.namespace==default and serviceaccount.name!=vault
    ```

  - `BindNamespace` `(string: <required>)` - If the namespace rule's `Selector`
    matches then this is used to control the namespace where the token is
    created. This can either be a plain string or lightly templated
    using [HIL syntax](https://github.com/hashicorp/hil) to interpolate the
    same values that are usable by the `Selector` syntax. For example:

    ```text
    prefixed-${serviceaccount.name}
    ```

### Sample Payload

```json
{
  "Name": "minikube",
  "Description": "updated name",
  "Config": {
    "Host": "https://192.0.2.42:8443",
    "CACert": "-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----\n...-----END CERTIFICATE-----\n",
    "ServiceAccountJWT": "eyJhbGciOiJSUzI1NiIsImtpZCI6IiJ9..."
  }
}
```

### Sample Request

```shell
$ curl -X PUT \
    --data @payload.json \
    http://127.0.0.1:8500/v1/acl/auth-method/minikube
```

### Sample Response

```json
{
  "Name": "minikube",
  "Description": "updated name",
  "Type": "kubernetes",
  "Config": {
    "Host": "https://192.0.2.42:8443",
    "CACert": "-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----\n...-----END CERTIFICATE-----\n",
    "ServiceAccountJWT": "eyJhbGciOiJSUzI1NiIsImtpZCI6IiJ9..."
  },
  "CreateIndex": 15,
  "ModifyIndex": 224
}
```

## Delete an Auth Method

This endpoint deletes an ACL auth method.

~> Deleting an auth method will also immediately delete all associated
[binding rules](/api/acl/binding-rules) as well as any
outstanding [tokens](/api/acl/tokens) created from this auth method.

| Method   | Path                     | Produces           |
| -------- | ------------------------ | ------------------ |
| `DELETE` | `/acl/auth-method/:name` | `application/json` |

Even though the return type is application/json, the value is either true or
false indicating whether the delete succeeded.

The table below shows this endpoint's support for
[blocking queries](/api/features/blocking),
[consistency modes](/api/features/consistency),
[agent caching](/api/features/caching), and
[required ACLs](/api#authentication).

| Blocking Queries | Consistency Modes | Agent Caching | ACL Required |
| ---------------- | ----------------- | ------------- | ------------ |
| `NO`             | `none`            | `none`        | `acl:write`  |

### Parameters

- `name` `(string: <required>)` - Specifies the name of the ACL auth method to
  delete. This is required and is specified as part of the URL path.

- `ns` `(string: "")` <EnterpriseAlert inline /> - Specifies the namespace of the
  Auth Method to delete. This value can be specified as the `ns` URL query
  parameter or in the `X-Consul-Namespace` header. If not provided by either,
  the namespace will be inherited from the request's ACL token or will default
  to the `default` namespace. Added in Consul 1.7.0.

### Sample Request

```shell
$ curl -X DELETE \
    http://127.0.0.1:8500/v1/acl/auth-method/minikube
```

### Sample Response

```json
true
```

## List Auth Methods

This endpoint lists all the ACL auth methods.

| Method | Path                | Produces           |
| ------ | ------------------- | ------------------ |
| `GET`  | `/acl/auth-methods` | `application/json` |

The table below shows this endpoint's support for
[blocking queries](/api/features/blocking),
[consistency modes](/api/features/consistency),
[agent caching](/api/features/caching), and
[required ACLs](/api#authentication).

| Blocking Queries | Consistency Modes | Agent Caching | ACL Required |
| ---------------- | ----------------- | ------------- | ------------ |
| `YES`            | `all`             | `none`        | `acl:read`   |

### Parameters

- `ns` `(string: "")` <EnterpriseAlert inline /> - Specifies the namespace to list
  the auth methods for. This value can be specified as the `ns` URL query
  parameter or in the `X-Consul-Namespace` header. If not provided by either,
  the namespace will be inherited from the request's ACL token or will default
  to the `default` namespace. The namespace may be specified as '\*' and then
  results will be returned for all namespaces. Added in Consul 1.7.0.

## Sample Request

```shell
$ curl -X GET http://127.0.0.1:8500/v1/acl/auth-methods
```

### Sample Response

-> **Note** - The contents of the `Config` field are not included in the
listing and must be retrieved by the [auth method reading endpoint](#read-an-auth-method).

```json
[
  {
    "Name": "minikube-1",
    "Type": "kubernetes",
    "Description": "",
    "CreateIndex": 14,
    "ModifyIndex": 14
  },
  {
    "Name": "minikube-2",
    "Type": "kubernetes",
    "Description": "",
    "CreateIndex": 15,
    "ModifyIndex": 15
  }
]
```