Service accounts in Encord are non-human accounts that allow you to use Encord in a programmatic manner. For example, you might want to set up automated workflows using Encord’s SDK to do things like create Ontologies, create Projects, or even label and review tasks.

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Create Service accounts

Only Encord Admins (not Project Admins) can create Service Accounts in Encord. To create a Service Account:
  1. Go to My organization > Service Accounts. The Service Accounts page appears. Create Service Account
  2. Click Create service account.
  3. Provide a meaningful name for the service account. The name provided is appended into the email address used by the service account.
  4. Provide a meaningful description for the service account.
  5. Click Create service account. A new service account appears in the Service Account list.
  6. Click into the service account.
  7. Click New API key.
  8. Type a meaningful title for the key.
  9. Click Add API key. A file downloads to your computer containing the key.
  10. Return to the Service Accounts page.
  11. Apply a role to the service account:
    • Admin: Executive privileges over the Organization such as adding and removing users, and the ability to view all Projects in the Organization.
    • Member: No administrative privileges over your Organization. Can only view Projects they create, or have been invited to.
Encord Admins can create 1 Service Account per organization. Contact us at support@encord.com if you need more than 1 Service Account.

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Using Service Accounts

Service Accounts are NOT accessible using the Encord UI. Service Accounts can only be used through the Encord SDK.
1

Generate an SSH Key

Generate an SSH key for the Service Account to use the SDK.
Each Service Account can create 5 SSH keys for use with Encord. Contact us at support@encord.com if you need more than 5 SSH keys for your Service Account.
2

Install the Encord SDK

Install the Encord SDK.
Update the Encord SDK regularly to use all the latest programmatic features.
3

Setup your programmatic pipelines

Use Encord’s SDK to setup your programmatic pipelines.
A common use case is creating a Service Account with managerial privileges, enabling it to perform key administrative tasks on behalf of the Organization Admin. See how to perform organization wide actions using the SDK here.