A Personal Access Token (PAT) is a unique string of characters used as an alternative to a password for authenticating a user when accessing a computer system, application, or API. PATs are typically generated by the system and associated with a specific user account. They allow users or programs to access resources and perform actions on behalf of the account owner, but with permissions that can be customized and restricted for each token.
Key points about Personal Access Tokens:
- Authentication Alternative: PATs are used instead of passwords, especially in scenarios where programmatic or automated access is needed, such as using APIs, command-line tools, or scripts.
- User Association: Each PAT is tied to a single user account, and users can create, manage, and revoke their own tokens independently of their account password.
- Customizable Permissions: The scope and permissions of a PAT can be adjusted, limiting access to specific data or functions. This helps minimize risk if a token is compromised, as only the permissions granted to that token are affected.
- Security Considerations: PATs should be treated with the same level of security as passwords. If a PAT is exposed, it can be quickly revoked without affecting the user’s main password.
- Use Cases: Commonly used in developer environments (e.g., GitHub, Azure DevOps, Tableau, Dremio) to enable secure, controlled access for scripts, integrations, or third-party tools where traditional login flows are impractical.