# Webshop Admin API reference

> Explore the Webshop Admin API endpoints you can use to configure webshops, environments, themes, and branding programmatically.

The recommended best practice is for administrators to configure webshops in the [Unity Dashboard](https://cloud.unity.com).

Use the Webshop Admin API when the Unity Dashboard doesn't fit your workflow, such as when you need to do the following:

* Update themes across many environments.
* Script webshop creation as part of project setup.
* Integrate webshop configuration into your deployment pipeline.

This page links to the API reference and explains how authentication and authorization work for admin-API calls.

## Authentication

The Admin API uses [Service Account](https://services.docs.unity.com/docs/service-account-auth/) credentials. Generate a Service Account key from the Unity Dashboard, base64-encode the `key_id:secret_key` pair, and send it as a Bearer token in your requests.

For step-by-step instructions, refer to the [Service Account authentication guide](https://services.docs.unity.com/docs/service-account-auth/).

## Authorization

Each Admin API endpoint requires a specific Service Account role. For the role list and the per-operation requirements, refer to [Webshop permissions reference](./permissions.md).

{/* TODO(gerda): uncomment once the published API spec URL is available, or once there's a link to the OpenAPI YAML on GitHub in the interim

  ## API reference

  <CardGrid cols={1}>
  <Card title="Webshop Admin API reference" href="#">
    OpenAPI reference for every admin endpoint.
  </Card>
  </CardGrid>

  */}