---
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.

The response is 201 when the user is created and 200 when an existing user is
updated. Add `"skip_verify_email": true` to create a user without sending a
verification email. 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/

Before doing anything else, make one read-only call to confirm access.

## Rules

- Ask the user before anything that sends messages, costs money, or changes data.
- Never print API keys.