# Connections
Connections are a secure way to store login information for the apps you use in MESA workflows. When using an [integrated app](https://www.getmesa.com/apps), your login information is saved as a connection, allowing you to seamlessly automate with the information associated with your account. Connections are secure connections. We do not and will not share your data.
## Using Connections
Aside from [the noted exceptions below](https://docs.getmesa.com/going-further/credentials#steps-that-dont-need-credentials), you always have the ability to create or select a connection from a workflow step.
If you click open a step in your workflow, you should see a submenu available that says **Authenticate** or **Authenticated**. If your step says *Authenticated*, it means you've already added and selected a connection. If it says *Authenticate*, it means you still need to create and add your connection.
Regardless, you can click open the submenu associated with Connection and make updates as needed.
To create a connection, click the "Connect with" button that's provided to follow the setup instructions related to the service you're connecting with.
Once you've completed the setup instructions, your connection will be saved and the *Authenticate* submenu will change to *Authenticated*, confirming that a connection has been added.
You can also select a specific connection from the **Select** dropdown menu if multiple connections have been added.
The next best step after adding a connection is ensuring that it works. To validate if a connection has been established properly, use our [Testing](https://docs.getmesa.com/workflow-builder/testing) functionality to confirm that the step works as intended.
If you're ever unsure about the connections you've added across your workflows, you can edit and delete them from your Connections menu via your MESA account. To get there, click **My account** from your profile in the upper-right corner of the app, and then select the **Connections** tab under the Account Details.
## Steps That Don't Need Connections
As mentioned, there are some steps that don't require you to setup a connection to use. Those steps are the following:
* [**ShopPad Apps**](https://apps.shopify.com/partners/shoppad)
* [**Shopify**](https://www.getmesa.com/apps/shopify/integrate) (if it's the same store you installed MESA on)
* [**Built-in Tools**](https://docs.getmesa.com/tools)
## Different Types of Connections
Not all connections are created equal. Here are the different types of connections you may encounter when setting up:
* **API Key / Text**
* A secure string of characters used to authenticate with a service.
* **Key-Secret**
* A pair of secure values, typically a key and a secret, used together to authenticate with a service.
* **Domain, Username & Password**
* A set of login details used to securely access and connect your workflows with a specific domain or service.
* **OAuth**
* **OAuth 1.0**
* A secure method that uses tokens and signatures to authenticate with a service.
* **OAuth 2.0**
* A secure authorization method that uses tokens to grant specific access to your workflows.
## Tool and App-specific Connections
Some connections in MESA go beyond the setup mentioned above. Here's the current list of these alternative setups:
* [**FTP**](https://docs.getmesa.com/tools/ftp#/connect)
* Connection setup involves securely entering your FTP server’s address, username, and password to connect and transfer files between your server and MESA workflows.
* [**Shopify Custom App**](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/apps/app-types/custom-apps)
* A unique application built specifically for your Shopify store, allowing you to add tailored features or integrations that meet your business needs without requiring the app to be listed on the Shopify App Store.
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