Creating a PTC Thingworx Application Key

Application Keys

Application keys are security tokens that can be used to log on to the ThingWorx application instead of using standard credentials. You can pass an application key in the URL of a request by adding the following query parameter:

The request is run using the security context of the user associated with the application key. By default, a session is not created when a request is made using an application key. This is the recommended way for other systems and applications to make a request to the ThingWorx application.  However, if you want to create a session, you can use the following query parameter in addition to passing in the application key: x-thingworx-session=true.

When viewing a mashup via a URL and using an application key, you should create a session by adding x-thingworx-session=true. Without a session, subsequent requests require authentication using the standard HTTP basic authenticator.

Creating an Application Key

Follow the steps below to create an application key. The created key will assume the security settings granted to the associated user in the User Name Reference field.

1. In ThingWorx Composer, select Application Keys

2. Select New

3. Type a Name and any optional details

4. In the User Name Reference field, select the user associated with the application key

5. Click Save

6. The Application Key displays in the keyId field.