> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.xpander.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Zendesk

> Learn how to integrate AI agents with Zendesk using xpander.ai. Create seamless, automated customer interactions that enhance support efficiency, reduce response times, and deliver personalized experiences by leveraging AI-powered chatbots and smart ticket routing.

## About Zendesk

Zendesk is a cloud-based customer service and engagement platform designed to help businesses manage and enhance their interactions with customers across various channels.

Key features include:

* **Omnichannel Support**: Zendesk consolidates customer interactions from email, live chat, voice, social media, and messaging apps into a unified ticketing system, enabling support teams to efficiently manage and resolve inquiries from multiple channels.

* **AI-Powered Automation**: The platform includes AI agents and automation tools that assist in routing tickets, providing instant responses, and handling repetitive tasks, thereby improving efficiency and response times.

* **Self-Service Options**: Zendesk offers features like knowledge bases, community forums, and an AI-powered Answer Bot, empowering customers to find solutions independently and reducing the volume of support tickets.

* **Analytics and Reporting**: With Zendesk Explore, businesses can access real-time dashboards and detailed reports to monitor performance metrics, customer satisfaction, and team productivity, facilitating data-driven decision-making.

* **Customizable Workflows**: The platform allows for the creation of custom workflows, triggers, and automations to tailor the support process to specific business needs, ensuring consistency and efficiency in customer service operations.

## Authentication Options

Below are possible authentication options you can choose:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="API Access">
    ### Generate a Zendesk API Key

    1. Log in to your [Zendesk account](https://www.zendesk.com/).

    2. Click on your Zendesk app icon in the top-right corner and select **Admin Center**.

           <img src="https://mintcdn.com/xpanderai-099931d1/sRFk58mKeQVVrCwf/images/connectors/zendesk/img_1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=sRFk58mKeQVVrCwf&q=85&s=99891fc7873f99d57c1b3f65c1739973" alt="Img 1" width="2828" height="1412" data-path="images/connectors/zendesk/img_1.png" />

    3. In the Admin Center, click **Apps and integrations** in the sidebar, then select **Zendesk API** and click **Get Started**.

           <img src="https://mintcdn.com/xpanderai-099931d1/sRFk58mKeQVVrCwf/images/connectors/zendesk/img_2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=sRFk58mKeQVVrCwf&q=85&s=0e7d6519a99f5f22a885284e6611f195" alt="Img 2" width="2812" height="1404" data-path="images/connectors/zendesk/img_2.png" />

    4. Under the **Settings** tab, enable token access, then click **Add API token**.

           <img src="https://mintcdn.com/xpanderai-099931d1/sRFk58mKeQVVrCwf/images/connectors/zendesk/img_3.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=sRFk58mKeQVVrCwf&q=85&s=358d169cbd99c77106309807d9b0a7ca" alt="Img 3" width="2825" height="1412" data-path="images/connectors/zendesk/img_3.png" />

    5. You'll now see your Zendesk API token—copy and store it safely.

    6. Combine your Zendesk email address and API token using the following format:
       ```
       email_address/token:zendesk_token
       ```
       Then, encode it in Base64. You can do this in a couple of ways:
       * Run the following command in your terminal (Linux/macOS):
         ```
         echo -n 'email_address/token:zendesk_token' | base64
         ```
       * Use an [online Base64 encoder](https://www.base64encode.org/).

    7. The encoded result will serve as your Zendesk API key.

    ### Integrate Zendesk into xpander.ai

    1. Go to the **Connectors** section in the sidebar of your xpander.ai dashboard.
    2. Select **Zendesk** from the available integrations.
    3. Click **Enable**.
    4. Enter a **connector name**, e.g., "xpander-zendesk".
    5. Select **Integration User** as the authentication mode.
    6. Select **API Key** as the authentication method.
    7. Paste the Base64-encoded token into the provided field.
    8. Choose **Basic** as the **Auth Type**.
    9. Under **Interface specific settings**, enter your Zendesk domain name (e.g., `https://xpander-23038.zendesk.com`).
    10. Save the configuration.

            <img src="https://mintcdn.com/xpanderai-099931d1/sRFk58mKeQVVrCwf/images/connectors/zendesk/img_4.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=sRFk58mKeQVVrCwf&q=85&s=8981f281f19b5a427d7f22515e56f701" alt="Img 4" width="3915" height="2016" data-path="images/connectors/zendesk/img_4.png" />
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Integration of Zendesk into AI Agent

Once you've configured your Zendesk account with the authentication option(s) described above, you can integrate it into your AI agent with xpander.ai:

1. In your xpander.ai dashboard, go to the **Agent Configuration** tab and select **Tools**, then click **Add Tools**.
2. Select **Connectors**.
3. Choose **Zendesk** with the same **connector name** you configured in the previous section (e.g., xpander-zendesk).
4. Select the available Zendesk operations that suit your use case.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/xpanderai-099931d1/sRFk58mKeQVVrCwf/images/connectors/zendesk/img_5.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=sRFk58mKeQVVrCwf&q=85&s=5dd830a7964793cbedc77fdfe09325b3" alt="Img 5" width="2821" height="1444" data-path="images/connectors/zendesk/img_5.png" />

## Expose Zendesk as MCP Server

Alternatively, you can also expose your Zendesk account as an MCP server. To do so:

1. Go to the **Connectors** section in the sidebar of your xpander.ai dashboard.
2. Select **Zendesk** with the same **connector name** you configured in the previous section (e.g., xpander-zendesk).
3. Click **MCP Configuration**.
4. Enter the MCP configuration into the appropriate settings of the client app you want to use (e.g., Cursor, Windsurf, Claude Desktop, etc.).

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/xpanderai-099931d1/7A5N55Cd_ax2ZLOs/images/connectors/zendesk/img_6.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=7A5N55Cd_ax2ZLOs&q=85&s=1289bcbb51a254dd195412a3d4cd499f" alt="Img 6" width="2839" height="1439" data-path="images/connectors/zendesk/img_6.png" />

## AI Agent Zendesk Prompt Library

Below are possible prompts or use cases you can try after integrating Zendesk into your xpander AI agent:

```
Can you please create a ticket for {issue_description} under {org_name}?
```

```
What's the status of ticket #{ticket_id}?
```

```
Can you close all solved tickets for {org_name}?
```

```
Can you update user {user_id} to have a new phone number {phone_number}?
```

## Related Resources

* [Understanding Model Context Protocol (MCP)](/guides/deploy/mcp)
* \[Zendesk API Documentation]\([https://developer.zendesk.com/API](https://developer.zendesk.com/API) reference/)