# Charlie setup

Charlie connects through the **unified HRIS connector**. This page covers the
Charlie-side configuration you complete first. Once it's done, add the connector
in Mesh by following [Connect your HR system](../connect-your-hr-system.md).

You finish with two values: a **client ID** and a **client secret**.

## Before you start

You need **administrator access** to your company's Charlie instance, or a
colleague who has it.

> **warning**

These steps reflect Axiad's current understanding of Charlie's configuration.
Because Charlie is a third-party product, there may be variations between your
experience and what this guide describes, depending on the version in use and
recent updates.

If you find a significant difference, or anything that doesn't make sense, let
us know through Axiad support.

## Step 1 — Open API keys

1. Select **Integrations** in the left-hand menu.

   ![The Charlie left menu with Integrations](/img/connectors/hr/providers/7170306-79332c4a30.jpg)

2. Select **API Keys**.

   ![The API Keys section of Charlie integrations](/img/connectors/hr/providers/7170306-1c9025601a.jpg)

## Step 2 — Generate the credentials

Generate the client ID and client secret for your account.

![Generating the client ID and secret](/img/connectors/hr/providers/7170306-87f8c74573.jpg)

![The generated client ID and secret](/img/connectors/hr/providers/7170306-738d189c5c.jpg)

> **danger**

Charlie shows the client secret at generation. If credentials were generated
previously, the secret is not re-displayed — you have to get it from whoever
saved it, typically your HR or IT team, or generate a new pair.

## Step 3 — Connect in Mesh

Follow [Connect your HR system](../connect-your-hr-system.md), choose Charlie in
the connection window, and supply the client ID and client secret.

## After connecting

The connector appears in your connectors list with **Health: Initializing**
while the first collection runs, then moves to **Good**. Access is
**read-only**: Mesh does not write back to Charlie.

If it doesn't come online, see [Troubleshoot HR
connectors](../troubleshoot-hr-connectors.md).

## Troubleshooting

| What you see | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| You have the client ID but not the secret | It was generated previously and shown once | Ask your HR or IT team for the stored value, or generate a new pair |
| Authentication fails | The ID and secret are from different generations | Generate a fresh pair and use both |