Developer guide for Make.com

The Make.com developer platform lets you build custom apps, connections, and webhooks so you can extend automation beyond standard integrations. This how-to guide walks you through everything you need to start developing, testing, and publishing your own solutions.

Overview of the Make.com developer platform

The developer tools on Make.com are designed to help you expose any online service as an app that scenario builders can use in visual workflows. You configure authentication, define modules, and describe data structures without maintaining your own automation engine.

From a single developer dashboard you can:

Create and configure new apps
Set up authentication methods and connection logic
Define triggers, actions, and search modules
Manage webhooks and data structures
Test, version, and publish apps to users

The platform is documented in detail on the official Make.com developer documentation, which you should keep open while you work through the steps below.

Prepare your environment for Make.com development

Before creating your first app, prepare your tools and access so you can move quickly.

Requirements for working with Make.com apps

An active account with access to the developer platform
Access to the API or service you want to integrate
API documentation for that service, including authentication details
Ability to generate API keys, client IDs, or OAuth credentials

If you are building an integration for a client or a team, verify you have the correct permissions and any required sandbox or test accounts for the target service.

Understand key Make.com concepts

As you prepare, get familiar with core concepts used in the developer documentation:

App: a package that contains authentication plus a set of modules (triggers, actions, searches).
Module: a specific operation such as creating an item, watching new records, or searching data.
Connection: saved authorization details that link a user account to your app.
Webhook: an HTTP endpoint that receives real-time events from another system.
Data structure: a defined schema that describes fields, types, and nested objects.

Create your first Make.com app

Once your account is ready, you can create a new app in the developer dashboard and configure its basic metadata.

Step 1: Start a new app in Make.com

Open the developer section of the platform.
Locate the area for managing apps or integrations.
Click the option to create a new app.
Enter essential details such as the app name, description, and logo.

Use a clear name and description that describe the service you are integrating. This helps scenario builders understand what your app does when they browse available modules in Make.com.

Step 2: Configure authentication in Make.com

Next, configure how users will connect their accounts to the external service through your app.

Typical authentication methods include:

API key or token-based authentication
Basic HTTP authentication
OAuth 2.0 for secure delegated access

In the authentication section of your app configuration, you will:

Choose the authentication type supported by the target API.
Provide authorization URLs, token URLs, and scopes for OAuth where required.
Define how credentials are sent with requests (headers, query parameters, or body).
Specify any additional security settings recommended by the API provider.

Test the connection from the developer interface by creating a sample connection. Confirm that Make.com can successfully call the external API using the credentials you provide.

Define modules for your Make.com app

Modules are the main building blocks that scenario creators interact with. Each module encapsulates one operation, such as fetching data or sending a message.

Step 3: Create basic action modules

Start with one or two high-value actions so you can validate your app design quickly.

Open the modules section for your app.
Add a new module and choose the type (for example, an action).
Provide a label, name, and description that clearly explain what the module does.
Define the input fields users can configure when they add this module to a scenario.
Map input fields to the corresponding API request parameters.

Follow the target API documentation closely to specify the HTTP method, endpoint URL, headers, and request body format that the operation requires.

Step 4: Add triggers and webhooks in Make.com

To respond automatically to external events, define trigger modules and, where supported, webhooks.

A typical approach is:

Create a webhook module that exposes a URL for incoming events.
Configure the webhook to handle requests from the external service.
Parse the incoming data and map it to a structured output for scenarios.
Optionally implement a polling trigger if the external API does not support webhooks.

Well-designed triggers make scenarios more responsive and reduce the need for constant polling. When possible, use webhook-based triggers so that Make.com receives events in real time.

Design and manage data structures in Make.com

Clear data structures help users build scenarios without guessing what fields are available. They also make it easier for the platform to validate and transform data.

Step 5: Define input and output data structures

For each module, identify the following:

Input structure: what data the user must supply
Output structure: what data the module returns to later steps

Then, in the developer interface:

Create or reuse shared data structures that match the external API objects.
Assign data types, such as string, integer, boolean, array, or object.
Document important fields, including required status and default values.
Map API responses to the output structure so users can reference them in scenarios.

Consistent data structures across modules make your Make.com app easier to understand and maintain.

Test and debug your Make.com integration

Testing is essential before sharing your app with other users. Use the tools in the developer platform to validate each module and connection.

Step 6: Use built-in testing tools

For every module you create, run test calls with real or sandbox data.

Confirm that connections authenticate correctly.
Verify request URLs, headers, and bodies.
Inspect responses to ensure they align with your defined data structures.
Handle errors gracefully and provide clear error messages where possible.

Iterate on your configuration until each module works reliably in a simple scenario. A small test scenario in Make.com is often the fastest way to uncover configuration or mapping mistakes.

Step 7: Version and publish your app

When your modules are stable, use versioning to manage changes over time.

Set a clear version number for your app and its modules.
Document new features and breaking changes in each release.
Publish the app so it becomes available to users according to your distribution settings.

If the app is meant for internal use, limit distribution to your organization. If you want to reach a broad audience, follow any review and submission process described in the official documentation for Make.com.

Best practices for building on Make.com

Strong apps are easier to support, extend, and promote. Keep these recommendations in mind as you continue improving your integration.

Favor clear naming for apps, modules, and fields.
Use consistent data structures across related modules.
Document authentication and connection flows thoroughly.
Design modules around user goals, not just raw API endpoints.
Monitor usage and feedback to prioritize future enhancements.

For additional help with automation strategy, integration design, or documentation, you can work with specialized consultants such as Consultevo, who focus on automation, APIs, and scalable workflows.

Next steps with Make.com

With the steps above, you can plan, build, and test a custom integration on the Make.com developer platform. Start by integrating a single high-impact operation, validate it in a test scenario, and then expand your app with additional modules and triggers as your needs grow.

Refer back to the official Make.com developer documentation for detailed reference material, advanced configuration options, and up-to-date platform capabilities as you continue to refine your app.

Need Help With Make.com?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your Make scenarios, work with ConsultEvo — certified workflow and automation specialists.

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