Kaizen #17 - PHP SDK
Hello everyone!
Welcome to yet another post in the Kaizen series.
PHP Software Development Kit
PHP SDK allows you to create client PHP applications that can be integrated with Zoho CRM effortlessly. It serves as a wrapper for the REST APIs, thus making it easier to use the services of Zoho CRM.
Here is a sample of how the PHP SDK acts as a middleware between Zoho CRM and Client PHP Application.
What can you do with the PHP SDK?
- You can use the PHP SDK to exchange data between Zoho CRM and the client PHP application.
- Authenticate your application easily every time you sync data between Zoho CRM and the client PHP application, as the SDK takes care of generating the access/refresh tokens automatically.
Installing the PHP SDK
You can install the PHP SDK for Zoho CRM through the Composer—a dependency manager for PHP applications.
The pre-requisites for the client PHP application, before you start using the PHP SDK are:
- The client app must have PHP 5.6 or above with a curl extension.
- The client app must have the PHP SDK installed through Composer.
- The ZCRMRestClient::initialize($configuration) function must be called once while starting the client app. It contains the configuration details as key-value pairs.
PHP SDK and the PHP client application
- Include the following line to your client application (wherever you intend to use the PHP SDK) to access all the functionalities of the PHP SDK.require ‘vendor/autoload.php’
- Include the namespaces of the class in the "use" statement. For instance, if you use the ZCRMRestclient class, you must add the following.use zcrmsdk\crm\setup\restclient\ZCRMRestClient;
How to start using the PHP SDK?
- Step-1: Prerequisite: Register your application
- Step-2: Install the PHP SDK
- Step-3: Authenticate the client application
- Step-4: Knowledge Base: Token Persistence
- Step-5: Initialization
Step-1: Prerequisite: Register your application
All the Zoho CRM APIs are authenticated by the OAuth2.0 standards. It is mandatory to authenticate the client application with Zoho.
2. Click ADD CLIENT.
3. Choose a client type. For instance, Self Client.
4. Choose the Client Type, and click CREATE.
In the case of a web-based client, you need to specify the Client Name, Homepage URL and redirect URIs. 
5. Once you successfully register your self-client, you will receive a Client ID and Client Secret.
Step-2: Install the PHP SDK
Installing Composer
As discussed earlier, you can install the PHP SDK through the Composer. To install the composer:
Operating System | Procedure |
Mac/Linux | Run the following command in your terminal: curl -sS https://getcomposer.org/doc/00-intro.md#installation-linux-unix-osx |
Windows | Click here to download the .exe file and install composer. |
Installing the PHP SDK through the Composer
- Navigate to the workspace of your client app.
- Run the following command in the workspace of your client app.composer require zohocrm/php-sdk
- Once you run this command, the system installs the PHP SDK and creates a package named vendor in the workspace of your client app.
Step-3: Authenticate the client application
You must authenticate the client PHP application before it can use the PHP SDK. To authenticate the client PHP application, pass the configuration associative array to the initialization process.
- Create $configuration associative array. It must contain the authentication credentials required.
- The configuration associative array must then be passed using the ZCRMRestClient::initialize($configuration); function.
Configuration associative array
You must add the configuration values to the PHP associative array (key-value pair) and pass it as an argument to the ZCRMRestclient::initialize($configuration); function. Below is the list of keys that are to be in the associative array.
Key | Description |
client_id, client_secret mandatory | You can get these details after registering your client. |
redirect_uri mandatory for a web based client | The redirect URI of your web-based PHP client application. |
currentUserEmail mandatory | It is the email ID of the current user. You can set it in two ways: a. Through the currentUserEmail key in the configuration associative array (or) b. Through the ZCRMRestClient::setCurrentUserEmailId({user_email_id}) line in the code. |
fileUploadUrl Mandatory when using the Bulk Write API | The value for this key must be https://content.zohoapis.com. |
applicationLogFilePath optional | The SDK automatically creates a file to store the log information. The absolute file path of the folder in which the system must create the log file must be specified. The default file name is the ZCRMClientLibrary.log. If not specified, the system creates the file inside the project. |
sandbox optional | Represents whether to make API calls from the sandbox account. true: Make the API calls from the sandbox account. false: Do not make the API calls from the sandbox account. This is the default value. |
apiBaseUrl optional | Represents the URL to make API calls. It denotes the domain of the user. The possible values are: www.zohoapis.com (default) www.zohoapis.eu www.zohoapis.com.cn |
apiVersion optional | Represents the API version. Specify the value as v2 (default). |
access_type optional | Specify the value as offline. There is no support for Online OAuth client in PHP SDK as of now. |
accounts_url optional | The accounts URL. Possible values are: https://accounts.zoho.com (default) |
persistence_handler_class optional | The implementation of ZohoOAuthPersistenceInterface |
token_persistence_path optional | The absolute path to the folder that contains zcrm_oauthtokens.txt file. This key is mandatory if you want to use file persistence. If you include this key, this method takes precedence over other persistence methods. |
persistence_handler_class_name optional | The name of the custom class for persistence. This key is available only in PHP SDK 2.0.7 and above versions. |
db_port optional | You can specify this key if you want to use DB persistence. The default value is 3306. |
db_username, db_password optional | Specify the username and password of your database. The default value for db_username is root. |
host_address optional | The address of the machine in which the MySQL server is running. The default value is 'localhost'. This key is available only in PHP SDK 2.0.7 and above versions. |
Sample containing the mandatory keys alone:
$configuration=array("client_id"=>"1000.xxxxxxxxxxx"","client_secret"=>"831bxxxxxxxxxxxx","redirect_uri"=>"","currentUserEmail"=>"patricia@zylker.com"); ZCRMRestClient::initialize($configuration); |
Sample containing all the keys:
$configuration=array("client_id"=>"1000.xxxxxxxxxxx", "client_secret"=>"831bxxxxxxxxxxxx", "redirect_uri"=>"redirect_uri", "currentUserEmail"=>"patricia@zylker.com", "applicationLogFilePath"=>"absolute/path/to/folder", "sandbox"=>"false","apiBaseUrl"=>"www.zohoapis.com", "apiVersion"=>"v2","access_type"=>"offline", "accounts_url"=>"https://accounts.zoho.com", "persistence_handler_class"=>"absolute/file/path/to/persistence/implementation", "token_persistence_path"=>"absolute/path/to/folder/zcrm_oauthtokens.txt", //should not contain "zcrm_oauthtokens.txt" "persistence_handler_class_name"=>"Persistence_class_name", "fileUploadUrl"=>"https://content.zohoapis.com"); ZCRMRestClient::initialize($configuration); |
Step-4: Token Persistence
Your application should retain tokens (grant, access, refresh tokens) to automate the process of data-sync between your PHP application and Zoho CRM.
You can persist tokens in your application in three ways:
- a. Using a Database
- b. Using a File
- c. Custom Persistence
a. Using a Database
If you prefer using database persistence, you can use the MySQL.
Prerequisites while using the database persistence
- The name of the database must be zohooauth.
- There must be a table oauthtokens with columns
a. useridentifier (varchar(100))
accesstoken (varchar(100))
refreshtoken (varchar(100))
expirytime (bigint)
b. Using a File
This type of persistence uses a file to read and write OAuth tokens. The file persists the token of a single user. So, it is best used for the 'self-client' type of authentication since it involves only one user. If you prefer using the file persistence, you must create an empty file in the local drive named zcrm_oauthtokens.txt. Further, set the file path in the token_persistence_path, of the $configuration associative array. Do not include "zcrm_oauthtokens.txt" in the path.
For example, if the file is in a folder named "TokenStorage", then
token_persistence_path="{path/to/TokenStorage}"
c. Custom Persistence
From the PHP SDK version 2.0.0, you can have your own implementation of persistence.
You must mention the name of the persistence class in the persistence_handler_class_name key of configuration associative array. Provide the file path of the PHP file that implements the custom persistence, in the persistence_handler_class key of the configuration associative array. The class must implement the ZohoOAuthPersistenceInterface.
You must write an implementation of the inbuilt ZohoPersistenceHandler interface, with the following methods:
- getOAuthTokens($userEmailId)—invoked to fetch the saved tokens. This method should return ZohoOAuthTokens object for the library to process it.
- saveOAuthData(ZohoOAuthTokens tokens)—invoked to store the tokens.
- deleteOAuthTokens($userEmailId)— invoked to delete the tokens.
Step-5: Initialization
Once you define the OAuth configuration, you can initialize the PHP client application.
You need to generate the tokens (grant/access/refresh) to run the app.
Generating the tokens
As the V2 Zoho CRM APIs follow the OAuth2.0 protocol, it is mandatory to authorize the OAuth2.0 app before using the SDK functions with an access token.
You can generate an access token from a grant token.
You can generate the grant token in two ways based on the type of client.
For Self Client Applications
- Log in to Zoho and go to Zoho Developer Console.
- Select your Self Client.
- Provide the necessary scopes separated by commas, along with the scope aaaserver.profile.READ.
- Select the Time Duration from the drop-down. This is the time the grant token is valid for.
- Provide a description for the scopes. Click GENERATE.
- Copy the grant token.
For Web-based Applications
It is the responsibility of your client app to generate the grant token for the users trying to login.
Your application's UI must have the Login with Zoho option to open the grant token URL of Zoho, which would prompt for the user's OAuth2.0 authorization.
Upon the successful login of the user, the grant token will be sent as a parameter to your registered redirect URL.
Generating an access token from the grant token
Use the below code snippet in your main class.
$configuration =array("client_id"=>"1000.xxxxxxxxxxx","client_secret"=>"831bxxxxxxxxxxxx","redirect_uri"=>"","currentUserEmail"=>"patricia@zylker.com"); ZCRMRestClient::initialize($configuration); $oAuthClient = ZohoOAuth::getClientInstance(); $grantToken = "paste_the_self_authorized_grant_token_here"; $oAuthTokens = $oAuthClient->generateAccessToken($grantToken); |
Note
- The code snippet to generate the access token from the grant token is valid only once per grant token. If the grant token expires before you generate the access token, you must generate a new grant token only.
- Generating access and refresh tokens is a one-time process. After the tokens are generated for the first time, the SDK persists them based on the keys defined in the configuration dictionary, and refreshes the access token as and when required.
App Startup
Invoke the following line of code every time you start your client app.
$configuration =array("client_id"=>"1000.xxxxxxxxxxx","client_secret"=>"831bxxxxxxxxxxxx","redirect_uri"=>"","currentUserEmail"=>"patricia@zylker.com"); ZCRMRestClient::initialize($configuration); |
Sample SDK Code
The following image shows the sample SDK code to create a new record. The downloadable sample code is attached.
For more sample codes, refer to our SDK guide.
We hope you found this post useful. Keep a tab on this series for more exciting topics!
Reach out to us at support@zohocrm.com if you have any questions, or let us know in the comment section.
We will meet you next week with another useful topic.
Cheers!
Access your files securely from anywhere
Centralize Knowledge. Transform Learning.
All-in-one knowledge management and training platform for your employees and customers.
New to Zoho Recruit?
Zoho Developer Community
New to Zoho LandingPage?
Zoho LandingPage Resources
New to Zoho Survey?
New to Zoho CRM Plus?
Deliver unforgettable customer experiences
New to Zoho CRM Plus?
Deliver unforgettable customer experiences
New to Zoho Marketing Plus?
Everything you need to run your marketing
New to Zoho Marketing Plus?
Everything you need to run your marketing
New to Bigin?
Topic Participants
Shylaja S
Jonathan Thirkill
Praveen Sankar
Momin
Pardha Teja M
Sticky Posts
Kaizen #198: Using Client Script for Custom Validation in Blueprint
Nearing 200th Kaizen Post – 1 More to the Big Two-Oh-Oh! Do you have any questions, suggestions, or topics you would like us to cover in future posts? Your insights and suggestions help us shape future content and make this series better for everyone.Kaizen #226: Using ZRC in Client Script
Hello everyone! Welcome to another week of Kaizen. In today's post, lets see what is ZRC (Zoho Request Client) and how we can use ZRC methods in Client Script to get inputs from a Salesperson and update the Lead status with a single button click. In thisKaizen #222 - Client Script Support for Notes Related List
Hello everyone! Welcome to another week of Kaizen. The final Kaizen post of the year 2025 is here! With the new Client Script support for the Notes Related List, you can validate, enrich, and manage notes across modules. In this post, we’ll explore howKaizen #217 - Actions APIs : Tasks
Welcome to another week of Kaizen! In last week's post we discussed Email Notifications APIs which act as the link between your Workflow automations and you. We have discussed how Zylker Cloud Services uses Email Notifications API in their custom dashboard.Kaizen #216 - Actions APIs : Email Notifications
Welcome to another week of Kaizen! For the last three weeks, we have been discussing Zylker's workflows. We successfully updated a dormant workflow, built a new one from the ground up and more. But our work is not finished—these automated processes are
New to Zoho TeamInbox?
Zoho TeamInbox Resources
Zoho CRM Plus Resources
Zoho Books Resources
Zoho Subscriptions Resources
Zoho Projects Resources
Zoho Sprints Resources
Qntrl Resources
Zoho Creator Resources
Zoho CRM Resources
Design. Discuss. Deliver.
Zoho Show Resources
Get Started. Write Away!
Writer is a powerful online word processor, designed for collaborative work.
Zoho CRM コンテンツ
-
オンラインヘルプ
-
Webセミナー
-
機能活用動画
-
よくある質問
-
Ebook
-
-
Zoho Campaigns
- Zoho サービスのWebセミナー
その他のサービス コンテンツ
Nederlandse Hulpbronnen
ご検討中の方
Recent Topics
Como estruturar dados em aplicações Zoho Creator
A estrutura de dados é um dos pilares mais críticos no desenvolvimento de aplicações no Zoho Creator. Projetos bem estruturados escalam com facilidade, permitem automações mais robustas e reduzem drasticamente retrabalho. Já aplicações mal modeladas rapidamenteCreditos API
Queria saber se alguém poderia me ajudar a resolver um problema na compra e utilização de créditos de mensagens API do WhatsApp. ja tentei todos o tutoriais porem não consegui realizar a compre, pois ao clicar no botão de comprar créditos aparece a mensagemUsing Zoho Forms vs Zoho Survey
Hello - I'm looking for advice on whether to use Zoho Survey or Zoho Forms for our small non-profit. We have a Zoho One subscription, so have access to both. The main use case at the moment is application forms for our professional development programs.Custom CSS for Zoho CRM Team Bookings embeded widget
Hello, we are adding Zoho CRM Team Bookings (crm.zoho.com) in our public website. We know that we can change Theme Color, Font Color and Background Color: Zoho CRM Booking Styling But is it possible to change other CSS attributes e.g. Font Family, likeDashboard target enhancements
Often individuals in IT are creating dashboards for their sales team. The ability to create a single dashboard that can be used by multiple people is key. A components for a dashboard have the ability to filter by logged in user which is great. HoweverImproved RingCentral Integration
We’d like to request an enhancement to the current RingCentral integration with Zoho. RingCentral now automatically generates call transcripts and AI-based call summaries (AI Notes) for each call, which are extremely helpful for support and sales teams.How to add "All Open AND Overdue" back to the Home Page Task Component?
Hi everyone, I’m looking for a way to restore the Tasks component dropdown list on the Zoho CRM Home Page. Since the recent update to the Task area in my Home Page Classic View, the dropdown options (e.g., My Next 7 Days + Overdue) are too restrictiveEnable integration of CRM CPQ functionality for ZohoOne customers using Zoho Finance application
Hi there. I can't believe I'm needing to launch this idea as I would have thought this was a little obvious. Following a number of conversations with the technical team it's become evident that the CPQ functionality within CRM cannot integrate with ZohoClient Script event on any field of a Detail page
Hi everyone! I'd like to trigger a Client Script when a user modifies a field - any field - from the Account Details page, how can I do this? I don't want to trigger it on a specific field, but on all of them. Thanks in advance!Is there a way to update all the start and end dates of tasks of a project after a calendar change?
Hi! Here's my situation. I've built a complete project planning. All its tasks have start dates and due dates. After completing the planning, I've realized that the project calendar was not the right one. So I changed the project calendar. I now haveClient Script: Any plans to add support for multi-select field with onChange
Client Script is fantastic and the documentation lists multiselect form fields as unsupported. Just wondering if there are any plans to make this a supported field. https://www.zoho.com/crm/developer/docs/client-script/client-script-events.html 2. FieldSet Field Mandatory by Client Script ZOHO CRM
#Tips of the day We can set the field as mandatory by the client script var field_obj = ZDK.Page.getField('Custom_Field1'); field_obj.setMandatory(true); Custom_Field1 = Field API Name Apart from is if you have required any kind of Zoho work please doSetting GC session variable programatically in a website
Hi! Is there a way now to programatically set session variables from a website for a Guided Conversations? The current available methods are dependent on react-native.Built-in Date Functions in Zoho Analytics Query Tables
I have a doubt about whether Zoho Analytics Query Tables provide built-in functions for start date, end date, and the current monthZoho Certified Workshops in Berlin | 20. - 21. April
Liebe Mitglieder der deutschen Zoho-Community! Wir freuen uns, Ihnen mitteilen zu können, dass unsere Zoho Certified Workshops am 20. und 21. April nach Deutschland zurückkehren! 📍Wo finden die Workshops statt? Die zertifizierten Workshops finden imZoho Payroll Expansion Plans
Dear Zoho Team, I truly appreciate the continuous innovation and improvements you bring to your suite of products. However, I—and I’m sure many others—would love some clarity on your Zoho Payroll expansion roadmap. Currently, it’s only available in theCRM x WorkDrive: File storage for new CRM signups is now powered by WorkDrive
Availability Editions: All DCs: All Release plan: Released for new signups in all DCs. It will be enabled for existing users in a phased manner in the upcoming months. Help documentation: Documents in Zoho CRM Manage folders in Documents tab Manage filesBulk upload images and specifications to products
Hi, Many users have asked this over the years and I am also asking the same. Is there any way in which we can bulk upload product (variant) images and product specifications. The current way to upload/select image for every variant is too cumbersome.sync two zoho crm
Hello everyone. Is it possible to sync 2 zoho crm? what would be the easiest way? I am thinking of Flow. I have a Custom Module that I would like to share with my client. We both use zoho crm. Regards.Is there a way to show contact emails in the Account?
I know I can see the emails I have sent and received on a Contact detail view, but I want to be able to see all the emails that have been sent and received between all an Accounts Contacts on the Account Detail view. That way when I see the Account detailExport Invoices to XML file
Namaste! ZOHO suite of Apps is awesome and we as Partner, would like to use and implement the app´s from the Financial suite like ZOHO Invoice, but, in Portugal, we can only use certified Invoice Software and for this reason, we need to develop/customize on top of ZOHO Invoice to create an XML file with specific information and after this, go to the government and certified the software. As soon as we have for example, ZOHO CRM integrated with ZOHO Invoice up and running, our business opportunitiesUsar o Inventory ou módulo customizado no CRM para Gestão de Estoque ?
Minha maior dor hoje em usar o zoho é a gestão do meu estoque. Sou uma empresa de varejo e essa gestão é fundamental pra mim. Obviamente preciso que esse estoque seja visível no CRM, Inicialmente fiz através de módulos personalizados no próprio Zoho CRM,How do I setup the performance review module?
I am pretty adept when it comes to learning software and I've set up quite a few Zoho Apps over the past 3 years. But for the life of me, I can not figure out Zoho People performance reviews. I've figured out the "Organization" & LMS Modules, but theCRM x WorkDrive: We're rolling out the WorkDrive-powered file storage experience for existing users
Release plan: Gradual rollout to customers without file storage add-ons, in this order: 1. Standalone CRM 2. CRM Plus and Zoho One DCs: All | Editions: All Available now for: - Standalone CRM accounts in Free and Standard editions without file storageRecurring Addons
Hi, I know you can set the pricing interval for addons to weekly, monthly and yearly & set it for one off or recurring, which these are fine as a base addon item. It really would be helpful if when creating a subscription when you add on the addon itemCancellation Fees
Hi, It really would be good if Billing could take subscription management further with cancellations & being able to apply or set a cancellation fee for a plan that is either fixed or prorated. It is not uncommon in subscriptions for cancellation feesAll new Address Field in Zoho CRM: maintain structured and accurate address inputs
Availability Update: 29 September 2025: It's currently available for all new sign-ups and for existing Zoho CRM orgs which are in the Professional edition exclusively for IN DC users. 2 March 2026: Available to users in all DCs except US and EU DC. 24Zoho Writer Frequently not loading
I've reported this as a problem already but I can't log into my email right now or get onto the main site so you're going to hear about it again here: at least once a week, Zoho Writer will just refuse to load entirely. The main page will load and loadBulk Associate Tasks/Task Lists to Milestones (Similar to Issues)
Hello Zoho Projects Team, We hope you are doing well. We would like to request an enhancement regarding Milestone management for Tasks in Zoho Projects. Current Behavior: In the Issues module, it is possible to select multiple issues and easily associateUnable to produce monthly P&L reports for previous years
My company just migrated to Books this year. We have 5+ years financial data and need to generate a monthly P&L for 2019 and a monthly P&L YTD for 2020. The latter is easy, but I'm VERY surprised to learn that default reports in Zoho Books cannot createAllow agents to enable or disable notifications from certain departments
Agents who are part of multiple departments receive notifications frequently from across the departments. They may not be actively involved in performing every action in all departments. For example, an agent could be a part of both the sales and supportWorkDrive API returning empty response even after placing file in Team Folder
Hi everyone, I am trying to fetch a file from Zoho WorkDrive using a Deluge standalone function in Zoho People. The API call executes successfully using a configured connection, but the response is coming back empty. I have verified the following: TheAddress Typeahead Extension for Zoho Books
I installed the Address Typeahead extension for zoho books but when I went to configure it, it said that that version was deprecated. Is there a newer version somewhere?Transaction Rules & Customer Payments
So I have a situation as follows. We have many clients who are all invoiced on the 1st of each month on a recurring invoice for 1 of 10 plans. This means that almost all payment dates are the same (some people pay late) and that a lot of the amounts areCan I Integrate ADP Payroll with Zoho Books?
Hi, I am hoping that I can integrate ADP Payroll with Zoho Books so that I do not need to manually input the payroll journal entries. Is this possible? If so, how do I do that?Zoho Books | Product updates | February 2026
Hello users, We’ve rolled out new features and enhancements in Zoho Books. From Advanced Reporting Tags to the ability to mark projects as completed, explore the latest updates designed to improve your bookkeeping experience. Introducing Advanced ReportingDarshan Hiranandani : How many participants can join a Zoho Meeting at once?
Hi everyone, I'm Darshan Hiranandani, trying to find out the maximum number of participants that can join a Zoho Meeting at once. Has anyone here used Zoho Meeting for larger groups and can share their experience or knowledge about the participant limit?Ask The Expert: Deep Dive into Zoho CRM, Desk, SalesIQ, and Campaigns!
Are you using Zoho to power your sales, support, and marketing, and have questions about configuration, automation, or best practices? We have great news: the “Ask The Expert” session is coming to the Zoho Benelux Community! This session is specificallyHow to create a new Batch and update Stock via Inventory?
Hi everyone, We are building an automation where a user enters batch details (Batch Number, Mfg Date, Expiry, and Quantity) into a Custom Module. I need this to trigger an API call to Zoho Inventory to: Create the new batch for the item. Increase theZoho books Inventory valuation report VS Stock GL value
At one client, we track inventory using composite (bundled) items, and in the system settings we have enabled the option to prevent stock from going below zero. After the year-end physical count and quantity adjustments, we identified a mismatch: InventoryNext Page