# Fundamentals

> The core objects you work with — accounts, providers, methods, and how requests are shaped.

A few concepts appear throughout the API. Learn them once and the rest of the reference reads quickly.

## Provider

A **provider** is the external platform an account belongs to. Today CorrectInbox supports LinkedIn, so every account has `provider: "LINKEDIN"`. The field exists so your integration keeps working as more providers are added.

## Account

An **account** is a provider profile your user has connected to CorrectInbox. Almost every method runs *on behalf of* an account, so you pass an `account_id` (prefixed `acc_`) with the request.

```json
{
  "id": "acc_8f21c0",
  "provider": "LINKEDIN",
  "name": "Aditya Sharma",
  "status": "connected",
  "created_at": "2026-02-01T09:12:00Z"
}
```

You connect accounts from the [dashboard](https://app.correctinbox.com) or programmatically — see [Link an account](/link-account). CorrectInbox keeps each account's session healthy on its own; you never manage credentials in your own code.

## Methods

**Methods** are the actions you can take with an account: search, messaging, campaigns, engagement, posts and network. They are grouped in the sidebar under *Methods*.

## Requests and responses

- The base URL is `https://api.correctinbox.com/v1`.
- Request and response bodies are JSON. Send `Content-Type: application/json` on `POST`/`PUT`.
- Authentication is the `X-API-KEY` header on every request.
- IDs for CorrectInbox objects are prefixed by type: `acc_` (account), `cmp_` (campaign), `lst_` (lead list), `cht_` (chat), `msg_` (message). Provider identifiers (such as a profile id) are returned as‑is.
- Timestamps are ISO 8601 in UTC.

## Expected failure modes

Outreach runs against a live third‑party platform, so some failures are normal and your integration should handle them:

- An account can become **disconnected** and need reconnecting — watch its [connection status](/connection-status).
- A provider may **rate‑limit or restrict** an action for a specific account. CorrectInbox paces activity to stay within safe limits, but limits still apply per account.
- Search and other reads can return **empty** results for an account with limited standing on the provider. This is a property of that account, not an error.

See [Errors](/errors) for the error shape and [Rate limits](/rate-limits) for pacing.