---
title: "Okta SAML SSO"
description: "Connect Okta to OpenWork Cloud or a self-hosted OpenWork deployment with SAML"
---

Use this guide to let organization members sign in to OpenWork through an
Okta application integration. It works for OpenWork Cloud and for a Helm
deployment with a public HTTPS web origin.

After SAML sign-in works, use [Okta SCIM provisioning](/cloud/scim-okta) to
synchronize members and groups.

## Before you start

You need:

- An OpenWork owner, or a member who can manage security configuration.
- An Okta administrator who can create and assign application integrations.
- Control of DNS for the email domain you will associate with the connection.
- The final HTTPS OpenWork web origin, for example
  `https://openwork.example.com`.

Keep **Require SSO for this organization** off until an owner has completed a
fresh SAML sign-in. Keep password access available as a recovery path during
setup.

<Note>
For a Helm deployment with separate web and API hosts, use the URLs OpenWork
shows in **Settings → SSO**. Do not replace their host with the separate API
origin. SAML uses the deployment's configured auth origin, which is normally
the public web origin when `/api/auth` is proxied through the web host.
</Note>

## 1. Get the organization ID

In OpenWork, select the organization and open **Settings → General**. Copy the
organization ID. OpenWork creates the SAML provider ID as:

```text
openwork-sso-<organization-id>
```

The corresponding assertion consumer service URL is:

```text
https://<openwork-web-origin>/api/auth/sso/saml2/sp/acs/openwork-sso-<organization-id>
```

You can confirm the exact generated URL after saving the OpenWork connection.

## 2. Create the Okta SAML application

In the Okta Admin Console:

1. Open **Applications → Applications**.
2. Select **Create App Integration**.
3. Choose **SAML 2.0**, then select **Next**.
4. Set **App name** to `OpenWork` or another recognizable workspace name.
5. Select **Next**.

## 3. Configure SAML in Okta

Under **General**, enter:

| Okta field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Single sign-on URL | The OpenWork ACS URL from step 1 |
| Use this for Recipient URL and Destination URL | Enabled |
| Audience URI (SP Entity ID) | The OpenWork web origin, for example `https://openwork.example.com` |
| Default RelayState | Leave blank |
| Name ID format | `EmailAddress` |
| Application username | `Okta username` |

Open **Show Advanced Settings** and confirm:

- **Response**: `Signed`
- **Assertion Signature**: `Signed`
- **Signature Algorithm**: `RSA-SHA256`
- **Digest Algorithm**: `SHA256`
- **Assertion Encryption**: `Unencrypted`

OpenWork requires a signed assertion. Keep the Okta username and NameID equal
to the stable work email that SCIM will later send as `userName`.

Select **Next**, mark the integration as an internal application when
appropriate, then select **Finish**.

## 4. Copy Okta values into OpenWork

In the Okta application's **Sign On** tab, select
**View SAML setup instructions**. Copy:

- **Identity Provider Single Sign-On URL**
- **Identity Provider Issuer**
- **X.509 Certificate**, including the `BEGIN CERTIFICATE` and
  `END CERTIFICATE` lines

In OpenWork, open **Settings → SSO**, select **SAML**, and enter:

| OpenWork field | Okta value |
| --- | --- |
| IdP Issuer URL | **Identity Provider Issuer** |
| Domain | The members' email domain, for example `example.com` |
| SAML Entry Point | **Identity Provider Single Sign-On URL** |
| Audience URL | Leave blank to use the configured OpenWork auth origin |
| IdP Certificate | **X.509 Certificate** |

Save the connection. Compare the generated **ACS URL** with Okta's
**Single sign-on URL** character for character. Also copy the generated
OpenWork **Sign-in URL**; use this URL for the first test.

## 5. Verify the email domain

Select **Request token** under **Domain verification**. Create a DNS TXT
record for the email domain:

| DNS field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Type | `TXT` |
| Name | `_better-auth-token-<provider-id>` |
| Value | The token OpenWork displays |

For example, provider `openwork-sso-org_123` for `example.com` produces:

```text
_better-auth-token-openwork-sso-org_123.example.com
```

In a DNS console that automatically appends the zone, enter only
`_better-auth-token-<provider-id>` in the name field. The token is valid for
seven days. After the TXT record resolves publicly, select **Verify domain**
in OpenWork and confirm the connection shows **Domain verified: Yes**.

## 6. Assign a test user in Okta

In the Okta application:

1. Open **Assignments**.
2. Select **Assign → Assign to People**.
3. Assign one OpenWork owner or another controlled test user.
4. Confirm the application username is that user's stable work email.

Do not assign broad groups until the test user can complete the full flow.

## 7. Test SP-initiated sign-in

Open the organization-specific OpenWork **Sign-in URL** in a fresh browser
session. Confirm that:

1. OpenWork redirects to the expected Okta tenant.
2. Okta authenticates the assigned user.
3. Okta posts the assertion to the generated OpenWork ACS URL.
4. OpenWork returns the user to the intended organization.
5. The member identity in OpenWork uses the same email that Okta sent as
   NameID.

Only after this succeeds should you configure SCIM or enable
**Require SSO for this organization**.

## Troubleshooting

| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `Provider domain has not been verified` | The TXT record is missing, attached to the zone apex, or has not propagated | Put the token at `_better-auth-token-<provider-id>.<domain>`, wait for public DNS, then select **Verify domain** |
| `invalid_saml_configuration` | The OpenWork build did not persist the generated ACS callback URL in the SAML provider | Upgrade to a build containing the SAML callback configuration fix, then edit and save the connection again |
| `invalid_audience` | Okta's Audience URI does not match OpenWork's configured auth origin | Use the OpenWork web/auth origin shown by the deployment; do not substitute a separate API host |
| `invalid_destination` or `invalid_recipient` | Okta is posting to a different URL than OpenWork expects | Copy the generated OpenWork ACS URL into Okta and keep **Use this for Recipient URL and Destination URL** enabled |
| `Invalid SAML response` | The assertion is unsigned, uses a deprecated algorithm, or the active Okta certificate differs from OpenWork | Sign the assertion with RSA-SHA256 and paste Okta's current active X.509 certificate into OpenWork |
| Okta refuses access | The person is not assigned to the application | Assign the test user under **Assignments** |