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

# Custom Sources

> An explanation of custom sources that can be used with Hatch's public API

### Contact source basics

Every contact in Hatch comes from somewhere. To keep track of where your data originated, Hatch stores a **source** value on every contact in your workspace.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/usehatchapp/v_VMk57hRIk0rCvf/images/integrations/hatch-api/chrome_Thnrqs30VY-png.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=v_VMk57hRIk0rCvf&q=85&s=1f63521d0476e4c3686c36d16ec76507" alt="" width="384" height="304" data-path="images/integrations/hatch-api/chrome_Thnrqs30VY-png.png" />

Hatch automatically adds the source value to contacts that are created through an integration or directly in the app. You will see a unique value for every source.

For example: contacts created through our Salesforce integration always have a source value of **integration:salesforce**. Similarly, contacts created through a CSV import always have a source value of **imported** (like you see in the screenshot above).

### Custom sources

When contacts are sent through Hatch's public API, Hatch has no way to automatically determine the source of the contact. Instead, a **custom source** is necessary for Hatch to create the contact.

Custom sources are sources that you define. They appear in your contact data just like any other source in Hatch.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/usehatchapp/v_VMk57hRIk0rCvf/images/integrations/hatch-api/image-png-Mar-09-2023-08-43-12-9883-PM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=v_VMk57hRIk0rCvf&q=85&s=899fa42939ea10517e54e0759fdad5d8" alt="" width="386" height="309" data-path="images/integrations/hatch-api/image-png-Mar-09-2023-08-43-12-9883-PM.png" />

Each custom source has a unique **API Source Name**.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/usehatchapp/v_VMk57hRIk0rCvf/images/integrations/hatch-api/image-png-Dec-26-2024-03-47-15-2790-PM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=v_VMk57hRIk0rCvf&q=85&s=2ecd9cdc05f1fa251fd3a6a7b54c7465" alt="" width="813" height="128" data-path="images/integrations/hatch-api/image-png-Dec-26-2024-03-47-15-2790-PM.png" />

When sending contacts through the public API, you will need to provide the API source name in your request.

[Click here to learn more about using the Hatch API.](/integrations/hatch-api)

### Creating and managing custom sources

You can create and manage your custom sources in the **Custom Sources** tab of the App Marketplace.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/usehatchapp/v_VMk57hRIk0rCvf/images/integrations/hatch-api/image-png-Dec-26-2024-03-46-57-7431-PM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=v_VMk57hRIk0rCvf&q=85&s=ed043ace56c0f01920967d86596dfeb1" alt="" width="1902" height="507" data-path="images/integrations/hatch-api/image-png-Dec-26-2024-03-46-57-7431-PM.png" />

#### How to create a new custom source

Follow these steps to create a new custom source:

1. Click the **Create Custom Source** button
2. Enter a label for your custom source
3. Hatch will automatically generate the **API Source Name**
4. Click the **Create Custom Source** button

<Tip>
  The generated **API Source Name** must be unique for your existing custom sources
</Tip>

#### How to delete an existing custom source

Follow these steps to delete an existing custom source:

<Warning>
  Once a custom source is deleted, you will no longer be able to use its **API Source Name** when sending data through the API
</Warning>

1. Locate the custom source in the list
2. Click the custom source's delete button
3. When the confirmation appears, click **Yes, delete**