---
ref: tool:zendesk/create-or-update-user
name: Create or update a user
company: company:zendesk
workflows: []
access: [api]
tags: [capability:manage-crm, category:support, has:api]
docs: https://developer.zendesk.com/api-reference/ticketing/users/users/#create-or-update-user
updated: 2026-09-27
---

# Create or update a user

Creates a user, an end user unless you set a role, or updates the one that matches the email or external ID, and returns the full user.

Note: Sends a verification email to a new user unless you add `"skip_verify_email": true`. Needs an admin, or an agent whose custom role can manage end users or team members.

## Set up

Use the first option your agent supports.

### API (official)

- Base URL: https://{subdomain}.zendesk.com
- Endpoint: `POST /api/v2/users/create_or_update`
- Auth: send the header `Authorization: Bearer $ZENDESK_OAUTH_TOKEN`
- Get a key: https://developer.zendesk.com/documentation/authentication/oauth-migration/#getting-your-first-token
- Docs: https://developer.zendesk.com/api-reference/ticketing/introduction/

Note: `{subdomain}` is your Zendesk subdomain, as in `acme.zendesk.com`. Tokens from OAuth clients created since April 30, 2026 expire after 30 minutes.

Before anything else, confirm access with the cheapest read-only call, like a list or a search. Never send or change anything to test access.

## Rules

- Ask the user before anything that sends messages, costs money, or changes data, and say how many records it touches. One approval covers a batch the user has seen.
- Never print API keys.