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

# Integrate alerts inbox via API

> Build notification inbox functionality using Dialect's REST API. This approach provides flexibility for applications that need server-side user management, custom authentication flows, or integration with non-JavaScript environments.

# Integrate alerts inbox via API

Build notification inbox functionality using Dialect's REST API. This approach provides flexibility for applications that need server-side user management, custom authentication flows, or integration with non-JavaScript environments.

## Why Use the REST API for Integration?

### Use-Cases

* Server-side user subscription management
* Custom authentication and user flows
* Non-React or non-TypeScript applications
* Microservices handling user notification preferences
* Backend services managing notification history and read states

### Key Capabilities

* **User Authentication**: Wallet-based authentication with JWT tokens
* **Subscription Management**: Subscribe/unsubscribe users to apps and channels
* **Topic Management**: Manage notification categories and user preferences
* **Notification History**: Retrieve, mark as read, clear, and manage user notifications
* **Push Notifications**: Complete mobile push notification setup

## Prerequisites

Before integrating the notification inbox API, ensure you have completed:

* **App Registration**: Your app must be registered with Dialect ([registration guide](/alerts/setup/register-app))
* **Client Key**: Obtain your client key for API authentication

## Integration Guide

Follow this recommended implementation flow:

1. **[Authentication](/alerts/integrate-inbox/api/authentication)** - Set up wallet-based user authentication using JWT tokens and client keys
2. **[User Management](/alerts/integrate-inbox/user-management)** - Understand subscription, channel, and topic management (see API tabs in each section)
3. **[Notifications](/alerts/integrate-inbox/api/notifications)** - Retrieve notification history and manage read states
4. **[Push Notifications](/alerts/integrate-inbox/api/push-notifications)** - Complete mobile push notification integration

## API vs SDK vs Components

**Choose the API approach when you need:**

* ✅ Server-side user management
* ✅ Custom authentication flows
* ✅ Non-JavaScript/React environments
* ✅ Microservices architecture
* ✅ Full control over user data and flows

**Consider the alternatives:**

* **[React Components](/alerts/integrate-inbox/sdk/setup-configuration)** - For frontend React applications with built-in UI
* **[TypeScript SDK](/alerts/integrate-inbox/sdk/setup-configuration)** - For frontend applications needing programmatic control

## What's Next?

Ready to start building? Begin with [Authentication](/alerts/integrate-inbox/api/authentication) to set up wallet-based user authentication, then explore the comprehensive user management capabilities in our [User Management guide](/alerts/integrate-inbox/user-management).