> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.itential.com/adapters/introduction/overview/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.itential.com/_mcp/server.

# Adapters overview

> Learn what Itential adapters are, how they work, and how to get started integrating external systems with the Automation Platform.

Use Itential adapters to integrate external systems with Itential Platform. Adapters handle authentication, API translation, and data transformation so your workflows can interact with third-party APIs without custom code.

## What adapters do

| Capability        | Description                                            |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| Authentication    | Connects securely to external APIs                     |
| Translation       | Converts workflow data to API request formats          |
| Transformation    | Parses API responses into usable workflow data         |
| Error handling    | Retries failed calls and surfaces clear error messages |
| Health monitoring | Tracks connection status per adapter instance          |

For example, a workflow calls the Cisco adapter to configure a device. The adapter authenticates, translates the request, sends it to Cisco's API, and returns the result.

#### [Get adapters](/adapters/get/overview)

Browse or build adapters

#### [Install adapters](/adapters/get/install)

Import and deploy

#### [Configure adapters](/adapters/configure/overview)

Set connection and authentication

#### [Customize adapters](/adapters/customize/adapter-source-files)

Add custom logic

#### [Test adapters](/adapters/test/test-and-lint-adapters)

Verify functionality

#### [Troubleshooting](/adapters/troubleshooting/overview)

Diagnose issues

## Next steps

[Browse the adapter library](/adapters/get/browse-adapter-library) to find a pre-built adapter or [build your own](/adapters/get/build-an-adapter).

[Install the adapter](/adapters/get/install) in your Platform instance.

[Configure authentication](/adapters/authentication/overview) and connection settings.

[Test the adapter](/test/test-and-lint-adapters) to verify connectivity.

> Learn what Itential adapters are, how they work, and how to get started integrating external systems with the Automation Platform.