> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.hiredata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Custom Apps

> Use Custom Apps to connect any tool to HireData through webhooks, describe the data it sends, and turn incoming events into recruitment automations.

A custom app connects HireData to a tool that has no built-in integration, like your own portal, a niche job board, or an internal system. If the tool can send a web request, a custom app can receive it and start your automations.

## What is a custom app?

A custom app is an app you create and control yourself. It consists of:

* **A name, icon, and logo** so your team recognises it across HireData
* **Triggers**: web addresses your other tools send data to
* **An active state** that controls whether incoming data runs automations

When an active trigger receives data, HireData stores it as an [event](/settings/logs/events) and starts every automation connected to that trigger.

## Is this the right feature for me?

Use a custom app when:

* HireData does not have an integration with the tool you want to connect
* You built the tool yourself, or your team controls how it sends data
* The tool supports webhooks, or a developer can add a web request for you

You don't need a custom app when:

* An [integration](/apps/introduction) already exists for your ATS such as Carerix, Salesforce, OTYS, Recruitee, or Vincere
* You only want to send data out of HireData; custom apps receive data

<Tip>
  Not sure if your tool can send web requests? Search its help centre for
  "webhooks", or ask our team at [support@hiredata.com](mailto:support@hiredata.com).
</Tip>

## Create your custom app

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create the app">
    Go to [Settings → Apps](https://app.hiredata.com/settings/apps) and click **Create New App**. Give it a recognisable name and you'll land on its edit page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add an icon and logo">
    Click the app's icon in the header to open **App Icon & Logo**. Both are optional. The icon appears next to your app across HireData, the logo on its page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a trigger">
    Click **Create Trigger** to add your first trigger. The [next article](/apps/custom-apps/set-up-a-trigger) covers this step by step.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Where you'll see your custom app

Once set up, your custom app behaves like any other app in HireData:

* **Automations** can start from its triggers and use its fields
* **Events** show every request your triggers received
* **Variables** from its fields work in emails, messages, and forms
* **People** can be synced automatically from incoming data

## Activating your app

Your app and each of its triggers have their own active state. Automations only run when both are active.

This lets you prepare and test everything safely: keep the app paused while you build, then activate it when you're ready.

## Next steps

<Card title="Set up a trigger" icon="bolt" href="/apps/custom-apps/set-up-a-trigger">
  Create a trigger, describe the data it receives, test it, and turn it into automations.
</Card>


## Related topics

- [Apps](/apps/introduction.md)
- [Set up a trigger](/apps/custom-apps/set-up-a-trigger.md)
- [Connect with Salesforce](/apps/salesforce/connect-with-salesforce.md)
- [Using custom fields to personalise surveys](/apps/ratecard/using-custom-fields-to-personalise-surveys.md)
- [How to Add a WhatsApp Chat Button to Your Website](/apps/messaging/whatsapp/how-to-add-a-whatsapp-chat-button-to-your-website.md)