# Embedded API Overview

Use end-user installations and the Universal API to run app actions from your backend.

Embedded API lets your backend use connections that customers make in MindCloud Embedded. Create a **connect-only integration** for an app, let an end user connect an account, then run that app's actions through the Universal API.

A connect-only integration has no workflows. Each end-user installation holds the connection for that integration. Pass its `installationId` when you run an action so MindCloud uses that customer's connection. See [Set up an API integration](/docs/embedded/embedded-api/set-up-an-api-integration).

Your backend also uses the Embedded v1 API to [create an end user](/docs/embedded/embedded-api/api-reference/create-an-end-user) and, when needed, [get an end-user token](/docs/embedded/embedded-api/api-reference/get-an-end-user-token). API keys stay on your server. End-user tokens are for SDK and legacy installation requests.

The [Universal API reference](/docs/universal/rest/home/latest/introduction/quickstart) covers app actions and their arguments. This section explains how to use those actions with an Embedded installation.

If a server-side AI agent should choose and run actions, start with [Embedded MCP](/docs/embedded/embedded-mcp/introduction). If you need an integrations page inside your product, start with [Embedded SDK](/docs/embedded/embedded-sdk/introduction).