Setup Guide

HighLevel's OAuth flow requires a real server endpoint for the callback URL. You can't use localhost in production. The fastest way to get a production server running is Next.js on Vercel — free tier, zero config, automatic deploys.

1 Create a Next.js project

npx create-next-app@latest my-hl-integration --typescript --tailwind --app
cd my-hl-integration

2 Push to GitHub and deploy to Vercel

Create a repo on GitHub, push your code, then go to vercel.com and import the repo. Vercel detects Next.js automatically and deploys in about 60 seconds.

3 Add your custom API subdomain

In your Vercel project, go to Settings > Domains and add api.yourdomain.com. Vercel will give you a DNS record to add:

Add that CNAME record at your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.) and wait a few minutes for DNS propagation.

After purchase, you'll receive a confirmation email and a GitHub repository invite for your tier(s).

1 Check your email

Look for a GitHub repo invite from randall-gross. If you provided your GitHub username at checkout, the invite is sent automatically. Check spam if you don't see it within a few minutes.

2 Accept the GitHub invite and clone

After purchase, you'll receive a GitHub repo invite. Accept the invite and clone all repos you have access to:

# Clone the base skill (required)
git clone https://github.com/randall-gross/highlevel-claude-skills.git

# Clone your paid repo(s) — you'll have access after purchase
git clone https://github.com/randall-gross/highlevel-claude-skills-pro.git
git clone https://github.com/randall-gross/highlevel-claude-skills-enterprise.git

3 Merge references into the skill folder

Copy the additional domain references into the base skill folder. They plug right in — no configuration needed.

# Copy references from each repo you purchased
cp -r highlevel-claude-skills-pro/references/* \
  highlevel-claude-skills/skills/highlevel/references/

cp -r highlevel-claude-skills-enterprise/references/* \
  highlevel-claude-skills/skills/highlevel/references/

4 Install the skill

Copy the skill folder into your Claude Code skills directory:

# macOS / Linux
cp -r highlevel-claude-skills/skills/highlevel ~/.claude/skills/

# Windows
xcopy highlevel-claude-skills\skills\highlevel %USERPROFILE%\.claude\skills\highlevel /E /I

5 Verify it works

Open Claude Code in any project and ask a HighLevel API question. Claude should automatically use the skill:

> "How do I create a contact in HighLevel?"

If Claude responds with the exact endpoint, method, parameters, and working code — you're all set.

The skill gives Claude the knowledge of every HL API endpoint. But to actually call the API, you need credentials. There are two approaches:

Option A: Private Integration Token

5 minutes. No server required.

1. 1 Open HighLevel Settings

   Log in to your sub-account > Settings (gear icon) > Integrations > Private Integrations tab.

2. 2 Create a Private Integration

   Click "+ Create Private Integration". Name it something descriptive like Claude Code API.

3. 3 Select your scopes

   Choose the permissions your integration needs. Common scopes:

   contacts.readonly / contacts.write

   calendars.readonly / calendars/events.write

   opportunities.readonly / opportunities.write

   conversations.readonly / conversations.write

4. 4 Copy your token

   The token is shown once. Copy it immediately. If you lose it, create a new integration.

5. 5 Store your credentials

   .env.local

   GHL_PRIVATE_TOKEN=eyJhbGciOiJSUzI1NiIs...
   GHL_LOCATION_ID=ve9EPM428h8vShlRW1KT

   Your GHL_LOCATION_ID is in the URL bar when inside a sub-account:
   https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/location/ve9EPM428h8vShlRW1KT/...

Option B: OAuth 2.0 Marketplace App

For multi-account access. Requires a server (see Part 0).

1. 1 Go to the HL Marketplace

   Go to marketplace.gohighlevel.com and sign in with your agency account. Click "+ Create App".

   

2. 2 Create a Private App

   Fill in your app name and select "Private" under App Type. This is the key step — Private apps work immediately with no marketplace review required.

   

   Private apps are limited to 5 external agencies. Since this is for your own agency, that limit doesn't matter.

3. 3 Configure the Redirect URL

   Go to Advanced Settings > Auth. Enter your callback URL using the API subdomain you set up in Part 0:

   

4. 4 Select your scopes

   Scroll down to the Scopes section. Expand each category and check the scopes your integration needs. Each scope shows a description and whether it applies to Sub-Account or Agency level.

   

   Select ALL scopes you might ever need. Scopes are locked at install time. If you add scopes later, users must uninstall and reinstall the app.

5. 5 Generate your Client Keys

   Go to MANAGE > Secrets. Click "+ Add" under Client Keys, name it Default, and click Add.

   

   A modal will display your Client ID and Client Secret. Copy both immediately.

   

   .env.local

   GHL_CLIENT_ID=your-client-id-here
   GHL_CLIENT_SECRET=your-client-secret-here
   GHL_REDIRECT_URI=https://api.yourdomain.com/api/auth/callback

6. 6 Publish your app

   Go to MANAGE > Versions. Click the three-dot menu on your draft version and select "Publish".

   

   A confirmation dialog shows what's required. Make sure all items have green checkmarks before proceeding.

   

7. 7 Install on your sub-account

   Once published, go to your sub-account > Settings > Integrations > Marketplace. Find your private app, click "Install", select the location, and authorize the scopes.

Key Gotchas

Open Claude Code in your project and try these:

Claude reads the skill references, finds the exact endpoint, and gives you the right method, path, parameters, and working code — on the first try.

Troubleshooting