6. Credential Request
Credential Request Call
Outcome: Client understands how to obtain each credential type; all credentials collected and stored securely in 1Password Trigger: Onboarding Call complete, before AI Roadmap Call Duration: 90 min total (15 min prep + 60 min call + 15 min post-call)
Quick Reference
Pre-Call
1
Generate credential list from proposal
5 min
2
Create client 1Password vault
2 min
3
Send prep email
3 min
4
Pre-call setup
5 min
60-min Call
5
Intro & agenda
5 min
6
Security overview & delivery methods
10 min
7
Walk through OAuth credentials
20 min
8
Walk through API keys & passwords
20 min
9
Wrap-up & next steps
5 min
Post-Call
10
Send thanks email
1 min
11
Store all credentials in 1Password
5 min
12
Test all credentials in n8n
5 min
13
Send confirmation OR correction email
5 min
Purpose: Walk the client step-by-step through obtaining each credential type. Testing happens AFTER the call — any issues are resolved via email with clear instructions.
1Password Vault Architecture
Each client gets their own dedicated vault in 1Password. This keeps credentials organized, makes access control simple, and allows clients to optionally view their own stored credentials.
Vault Structure
Naming Convention
Vault name
{CODE} - {Client Name}
NADD - Nadia's Boutique
API credentials
{Platform} API Key
Stripe API Key
OAuth credentials
{Platform} OAuth
HubSpot OAuth
Service accounts
{Platform} Service Account
Google Service Account
User/pass logins
{Platform} Login
Xero Login
Permission Levels
View Items
See credentials, copy values
Client guest access (optional)
Edit Items
Create, modify, delete
Team members working on client
Manage Vault
Grant/revoke access
Account admins only
Creating a Client Vault
Go to 1Password.com → Vaults → New Vault
Name:
{CODE} - {Client Name}(e.g.,NADD - Nadia's Boutique)Description:
Credentials for {Client Name} automation workflowsIcon: Use client's industry icon or default folder
Click Create Vault
Adding Team Members
Open the vault → People → Manage
Add team members assigned to this client
Set permission to Edit Items (not Manage)
They'll see the vault on their next sync
Optional: Client Guest Access
If the client wants visibility into their stored credentials:
Open the vault → People → Invite
Enter client's email
Set permission to View Items only
Client receives email invitation
They create a free 1Password guest account
After accepting, they can view (not edit) their credentials
Note: Guest accounts can only access ONE vault, which is why we use one vault per client.
Full Guide
Pre-Call Prep (15 min)
Generate Credential List (5 min)
Review the proposal to identify all systems that will need integration:
This generates a checklist of:
Platform name
Credential type (OAuth2, API key, user/pass)
Required permissions
Delivery method recommendation
Common systems from proposals:
Email: Gmail, Outlook
CRM: HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive
Accounting: Xero, QuickBooks
Communication: Slack, Teams
File storage: Google Drive, Dropbox
Custom: Client-specific APIs
Create Client 1Password Vault (2 min)
If this is a new client, create their vault now:
Go to 1Password.com → Vaults → New Vault
Name:
{CODE} - {Client Name}Description:
Credentials for {Client Name} automation workflowsAdd yourself and any team members assigned to this client
Permission: Edit Items
Skip if: Vault already exists from a previous engagement.
Send Prep Email (3 min)
Send 24-48 hours before the call so client can:
Review what's needed
Identify who has admin access
Choose their preferred delivery method
Pre-Call Setup (5 min)
Open:
Verify 1Password vault exists: If not created in step above, create now before call.
Call Structure (60 min)
Section 1: Intro & Agenda (5 min)
"Thanks for jumping on! Today I'm going to walk you through how to get all the credentials we need for your automation. I'll show you exactly where to find everything — it's like a guided tour of your platforms' settings. Should take about an hour."
Set expectations:
This is educational — you'll see exactly what we need and why
Share your screen when we get to your platforms
I'll note everything down; you don't need to remember the steps
After the call, I'll test everything and email you confirmation
Section 2: Security Overview & Delivery Methods (10 min)
Explain our security approach:
"All your credentials are stored in a dedicated 1Password vault just for your company"
"No one else can access your vault — it's completely separate from other clients"
"You can optionally have view-only access to see what's stored"
Present the two delivery methods:
Option A: OAuth Authorization (Recommended)
You authorize our app directly in the platform
You maintain full control — revoke anytime with one click
Best for: Gmail, Slack, HubSpot, Xero, Google Drive
"Think of it like giving us a house key you can deactivate anytime"
Option B: API Keys & Passwords (for platforms without OAuth)
You create a dedicated API key or user account
We store it securely in your 1Password vault
Best for: Stripe, custom APIs, legacy systems
"We never ask for your personal password — always a dedicated key"
If client is nervous about access:
"You can remove our access anytime with one click"
"We only access data needed for the workflow"
"Everything is logged — you can see exactly what we do"
If client says "We can't share that":
"I completely understand the concern. Here's how we handle security: your credentials are stored in a dedicated 1Password vault that no one else can access — it's just for your company, completely separate from every other client. Only myself and the team assigned to your project can see it. It's really important we get this credential because the platform's API requires it for the automation to work. Without it, we won't be able to connect to {Platform} and that part of the workflow won't function. Is there someone from your IT team we should loop in to discuss security requirements?"
Section 3: Walk Through OAuth Credentials (20 min)
Go through each OAuth platform one by one. The goal is to SHOW the client how to authorize, not rush through it.
For each OAuth platform (Gmail, HubSpot, Slack, etc.):
Explain what we're connecting: "First, let's connect Gmail so we can trigger workflows from emails."
Have client share their screen
Guide them to the authorization:
"Go to {platform URL}"
"Click Settings → Integrations → API Access"
"You'll see an 'Authorize' button..."
Walk through the OAuth flow:
"Click 'Sign in with {Platform}'"
"Review the permissions — here's what each one means..."
"Click 'Allow'"
Confirm success: "Perfect, you should see a confirmation screen."
Note the credential for post-call setup: Document platform name, auth method, any notes.
Pace yourself: Spend 3-5 minutes per platform. Don't rush — this builds trust.
Section 4: Walk Through API Keys & Passwords (20 min)
For platforms without OAuth, guide the client through creating API keys or service accounts.
For each API key platform:
Explain what we need: "For Stripe, we need an API key. Let me show you exactly how to create one."
Have client share their screen
Guide them to API settings:
"Go to your Stripe Dashboard"
"Click Developers → API Keys"
"You'll see 'Secret Key' — that's what we need"
Help them create the key:
"Click 'Create Restricted Key'"
"Name it 'Entourage Automation'"
"Set these permissions: [read charges, read customers, etc.]"
Securely capture the key:
Have them copy and paste into the Zoom chat (or use 1Password share link)
Immediately delete from chat after you've captured it
Or have them send via 1Password share link post-call
Note for post-call: Document platform, key name, permissions granted.
For user/password credentials (legacy systems):
Guide them to create a dedicated "service account" user
Never ask for their personal login
Document: username, how password will be shared (1Password link)
Common platform guides to reference:
Stripe
Dashboard → Developers → API Keys
Xero
Developer Portal → My Apps → New App
QuickBooks
Intuit Developer → My Apps → Keys
Shopify
Settings → Apps → Develop Apps
Mailchimp
Profile → Extras → API Keys
Section 5: Wrap-Up & Next Steps (5 min)
"Excellent work! We've got everything we need. Here's what happens next:"
Immediately after this call: I'll store all credentials securely in your 1Password vault and test each connection
Within 2 hours: You'll get an email confirming everything works — or if there's an issue, I'll include exactly how to fix it
AI Roadmap Call on {date}: We'll dive deep into your processes
"If any credential doesn't work, don't worry — I'll email you the exact steps to fix it. No need to jump on another call."
"Any questions before we wrap?"
Post-Call (15 min)
Step 0: Send Thanks Email (1 min)
Immediately after hanging up, send the credential-thanks email:
This lets the client know you're on it and sets expectations for follow-up.
Step 1: Store Credentials in 1Password (5 min)
For each credential collected during the call:
Open the client's vault:
{CODE} - {Client Name}Create a new item for each credential:
API Key
API Credential or Password
Name, key value, permissions, created date
OAuth Token
Login
Platform, auth method, authorized scopes
User/Password
Login
Username, password, URL, notes
Add notes to each item:
Permissions granted
Who created it (client contact name)
Date obtained
Any special instructions
Naming convention in 1Password:
{Platform} API Key— e.g.,Stripe API Key{Platform} OAuth— e.g.,HubSpot OAuth{Platform} Login— e.g.,Xero Service Account
Step 2: Test Credentials in n8n (5 min)
For each credential:
Go to n8n → Credentials → Create New
Select the platform
Paste credentials from 1Password
Click Test
Record result: ✅ Verified or ❌ Failed + error message
Common test failures:
401 Unauthorized
Wrong API key or expired
Ask client to regenerate key
403 Forbidden
Missing permissions
Ask client to add required scopes
Connection refused
IP whitelist blocking
Ask client to whitelist n8n IP
Invalid token
OAuth flow incomplete
Schedule 5-min follow-up to re-auth
Rate limited
Too many requests
Wait and retry in 15 minutes
Step 3: Send Email (5 min)
Based on test results, send ONE of these emails:
If ALL credentials work: Send credential-confirmation email If ANY credential fails: Send credential-correction email
Document in settings.json
Create Call Notes
Save to: clients/{kebab-name}/context/calls/credential-call-{DATE}.md
Send Confirmation Email
Handling Pending Credentials
If any credentials couldn't be configured during the call:
Document the blocker — Why couldn't we get it? (No admin access, IT approval needed, etc.)
Assign an owner — Who is responsible for getting it?
Set a deadline — When do we need it by?
Send follow-up email —
/create:email {CODE} --type credential-followup
Escalation timeline:
Day 3: Follow-up email
Day 5: Phone call
Day 7: Escalate to sponsor/decision-maker
Handling Additional Systems (Post-Workshop)
Since this SOP runs before Workshop (SOP 7) and Development (SOP 8), additional systems may be discovered later.
During Workshop (SOP 7): If new systems are identified that weren't in the proposal:
Note them in Workshop call notes
Request credentials async via email (using credential-followup template)
Or schedule a brief 10-min follow-up call if complex OAuth
During Development (SOP 8): Check if all required credentials are configured:
If missing: Request immediately with deadline
Update settings.json when received
This is rare since sales maps major integrations during the AI Roadmap sales process.
Credential Naming Convention
Gmail
{CODE}-Gmail-OAuth2
NADD-Gmail-OAuth2
HubSpot
{CODE}-HubSpot-OAuth2
NADD-HubSpot-OAuth2
Slack
{CODE}-Slack-Bot
NADD-Slack-Bot
Xero
{CODE}-Xero-OAuth2
NADD-Xero-OAuth2
API Key
{CODE}-{Platform}-API
NADD-Stripe-API
Email Templates
credential-prep
When to send: 24-48 hours before credential call Command: /create:email {CODE} --type credential-prep
credential-thanks
When to send: Immediately after call ends (within 5 minutes) Command: /create:email {CODE} --type credential-thanks
credential-confirmation
When to send: Within 2 hours of credential call, ONLY if all credentials tested successfully Command: /create:email {CODE} --type credential-confirmation
credential-correction
When to send: Within 2 hours of credential call, when one or more credentials failed testing Command: /create:email {CODE} --type credential-correction
Tips for writing correction emails:
Be specific about the exact error
Provide step-by-step fix instructions with screenshots if helpful
Explain WHY the credential is needed (builds urgency)
Make it easy to reply — don't require another call
credential-followup
When to send: 3 days after call if credentials still pending Command: /create:email {CODE} --type credential-followup
Verify
Pre-Call
Call (60 min)
Post-Call
Any pending credentials have owners + deadlines
(Optional) Client invited to 1Password vault with View access if requested
Next: Workshop
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