> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://helpdesk.smaply.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://helpdesk.smaply.app/integrations/planning-tools/how-to-set-up-the-trello-integration.md).

# How to set up the Trello integration

An Admin connects Trello once at the account level. After that, anyone in your workspace can search Trello and link cards to planning cards on any journey map.

{% hint style="info" icon="clipboard-list" %}

#### In this guide

1. [Set up the Trello integration](#set-up-the-trello-integration)
2. [Verify the setup](#verify-the-setup)
3. [Use Trello in planning cards](#use-trello-in-planning-cards)
4. [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)
   {% endhint %}

#### Set up the Trello integration

{% hint style="warning" icon="list-check" %}

#### Prerequisites

* Admin role at the account level. Only Admins can configure integrations, and the connection applies to the whole account.
* A Trello account you can sign in to.
  {% endhint %}

Trello uses a single authentication method. Rather than asking for an API key, Smaply opens Trello's own authorization page for its hosted **Smaply connector** app. You approve read-only access, Trello hands back a token, and you paste that one token into Smaply.

Here's a quick look at the full setup before you start.

{% embed url="<https://files.gitbook.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2For99xDEElfps9uMDY60K%2Fuploads%2F0Hz2fxmYHPzql9qe4oJG%2Ftrello-apikey-configuration.mp4?alt=media&token=65265add-2fd5-4ea4-9bca-ba1750bab510>" %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Open the Trello integration in Smaply**

Go to **Account Settings > Integrations** and click **Set up** next to **Trello**. The **Configure Trello** page opens with a single **Token** field and a help block linking to Trello's authorization page.

<figure><img src="/files/TSOxtuEcAxJGlJcNaKWd" alt="The Configure Trello page in Smaply. A Trello Configuration form shows one empty required field labelled Token, with a blue help block above explaining to generate a token by authorizing the Smaply connector app, and a Save Configuration button below."><figcaption><p>Configure Trello, empty form</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Authorize Smaply and copy your token**

In the help block, click the link in **Step 1** to open Trello's authorization page in a new tab. Sign in to Trello if prompted.

The page asks whether to give the **Smaply connector** access to your account. The connector requests read-only access: it can read your boards, Workspaces, and profile name, and it cannot post comments, see your email, or change anything in Trello. Approve the request, and Trello shows a token.

<figure><img src="/files/m2E04lt2RX3eg94ZZxN5" alt="Trello authorization screen asking whether to give the Smaply connector app access to your account. It lists the read-only permissions the connector will have, such as reading your boards and Workspaces, and the actions it will not be able to take, such as making comments or seeing your email."><figcaption><p>Trello authorization, Smaply connector</p></figcaption></figure>

Copy the token Trello displays.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Paste the token and save**

Back on the **Configure Trello** page, paste the token into the **Token** field and click **Save Configuration**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Confirm the connection**

Smaply tests the connection and, once it succeeds, the page shows your saved token with a green confirmation. Trello is now available to everyone in your account.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

***

#### Verify the setup

Reopen the **Configure Trello** page from **Account Settings > Integrations**. A connected integration shows a masked **Token** with a green **Connection setup** message reading "Successfully connected to Trello as ...", plus **Edit Configuration** and **Delete Configuration** actions.

<figure><img src="/files/P55oGHCPzc62tL1Uo397" alt="The Configure Trello page in Smaply showing a connected integration. The saved Token is masked, with a green Connection setup callout confirming the account is connected to Trello, and Edit Configuration and Delete Configuration actions below."><figcaption><p>Connection established</p></figcaption></figure>

If you don't see the green confirmation, check the [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting) section below.

***

#### Use Trello in planning cards

Once Trello is connected, anyone in your workspace can add a planning card to a journey map, search Trello, and link the card it relates to. For the full flow, see [How to use planning cards](/journey-maps/cards/how-to-use-planning-cards.md).

***

#### Troubleshooting

The **Configure Trello** page shows the integration's current state. Pick the symptom below that matches what you're seeing.

<details>

<summary><strong>Connection Error or the connection won't save</strong> - Connection issue</summary>

The token is wrong, incomplete, or was never authorized. Reopen **Configure Trello**, click **Edit Configuration**, and paste the token again with no extra spaces. If you no longer have it, run the authorization step again to generate a fresh token, then paste the new one and save.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>No items found when adding a planning card</strong> - Search issue</summary>

The connection works but Trello returns nothing for your search. Check that the search text matches a card you can open in Trello, and that the account you authorized can see the board it lives on. The connection runs with that account's Trello access, so cards on boards it can't reach won't appear.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>A connection that worked has stopped</strong> - Token expired or revoked</summary>

The connector token can be revoked from your Trello account's connected-apps settings, and a working connection breaks once it's removed. Revoking the Smaply connector in Trello, or losing access to the boards it could read, fails the same way.

Run the authorization step again to generate a new token, then reopen **Configure Trello**, click **Edit Configuration**, and paste in the new token.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Cards are missing or you can't connect at all</strong> - Permission issue</summary>

Configuring the integration needs an Admin role at the account level. If **Set up** or **Edit Configuration** isn't available, ask an account Admin to make the change.

For which Trello cards appear, the connection uses the access of the account you authorized. If a teammate can't find a card you can see, that account may not have access to the board it's on in Trello.

</details>

For questions about how the connection behaves across your account, such as disconnecting Trello or what happens when you remove it, see [How to manage integrations](/integrations/how-to-manage-integrations-at-account-level.md).

{% hint style="info" icon="headset" %}
**Still not working?** Contact support at <code class="expression">space.vars.supportEmail</code>
{% endhint %}

***

#### Related topics

<table data-column-title-hidden data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Article</th><th>What it covers</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref">Target</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>How to manage integrations</strong></td><td>Change, disconnect, or reconfigure an existing integration</td><td><a href="/pages/eVJNZWbpULcbx2YE06fQ">/pages/eVJNZWbpULcbx2YE06fQ</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to use planning cards</strong></td><td>Search and link cards from connected tools onto a journey map</td><td><a href="/pages/8b7Oqz3iQ0er7DHD7TSo">/pages/8b7Oqz3iQ0er7DHD7TSo</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Set up your first integration</strong></td><td>Choose an integration type and connect your first tool</td><td><a href="/pages/MnIIaFvymKzpE7B98hdU">/pages/MnIIaFvymKzpE7B98hdU</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


---

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