🧑💻 How to Use the Pipedrive API: A Beginner’s Guide
Unlock advanced customizations, integrations, and automation with Pipedrive’s REST API.
The Pipedrive API gives developers and technically inclined users full programmatic access to CRM data. With the API, you can build custom integrations, sync external tools, automate tasks, and extend Pipedrive’s functionality beyond the user interface.
🧠 What Is an API?
API stands for Application Programming Interface. It’s a way for different software applications to communicate with each other.
Pipedrive’s API is RESTful, which means it uses standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to access and manipulate your CRM data.
🧾 Common Use Cases
- 🔄 Syncing Pipedrive with other business tools
- 📝 Creating custom reports and dashboards
- 🛠 Building internal apps that use CRM data
- 🔔 Triggering workflows based on CRM events
- 📥 Importing/exporting deals, contacts, or activities automatically
🔑 Step 1: Get Your API Key
- Log in to Pipedrive
- Click on your profile picture → Company Settings
- Go to Personal Preferences > API
- Copy your personal API token (keep it safe)
🔐 Treat your API key like a password. Don’t share it publicly.
📬 Step 2: Make Your First API Call
Example: Get All Deals
Use a tool like Postman or simply curl in your terminal:
curl “https://api.pipedrive.com/v1/deals?api_token=YOUR_API_TOKEN”
You should receive a JSON response containing all your deals.
🔧 Step 3: Explore the API Structure
Pipedrive’s API is organized around key resources:
| Resource | Endpoint Example |
|---|---|
| Deals | /v1/deals |
| Persons | /v1/persons |
| Organizations | /v1/organizations |
| Activities | /v1/activities |
| Notes | /v1/notes |
| Pipelines | /v1/pipelines |
| Users | /v1/users |
Each resource supports different HTTP methods:
| Method | Purpose |
|---|---|
| GET | Read or list data |
| POST | Create new data |
| PUT | Update existing data |
| DELETE | Remove data |
📥 Example: Create a New Deal
curl -X POST “https://api.pipedrive.com/v1/deals?api_token=YOUR_API_TOKEN” \
-H “Content-Type: application/json” \
-d ‘{
“title”: “New Deal from API”,
“value”: 1000,
“currency”: “USD”,
“user_id”: 123456
}’
📤 Example: Update a Person
curl -X PUT “https://api.pipedrive.com/v1/persons/123?api_token=YOUR_API_TOKEN” \
-H “Content-Type: application/json” \
-d ‘{“email”: “updated@email.com”}’
🧪 Testing & Development Tools
- 🔍 Postman – Visual tool for making API calls and testing
- 🧰 Pipedrive API Reference – Full list of endpoints and parameters
- 💻 Browser + Fetch – Use JavaScript to fetch data from the API
- ⏱ Rate Limits – Pipedrive allows 100 requests per 10 seconds per user
🚨 API Limits & Best Practices
- ✅ Always paginate results (
start,limit) when fetching large datasets - ✅ Store your API key securely (use environment variables or secrets manager)
- ❌ Avoid making too many calls in loops — use batch endpoints or delays
- ⚠️ Respect rate limits to prevent service interruptions
🧠 Advanced Features
- Webhooks: Receive notifications when data changes in Pipedrive
- Custom Fields: Use custom field keys (not names) when working with deals/persons
- Filters: Apply Pipedrive filters programmatically to retrieve scoped data
- OAuth2 Authentication: For multi-user integrations (public apps)