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Before you can use the CLI or SDK, you need staging credentials from the Developer Portal. This page covers everything you need to know before you start building.

Apply now

Start your application in the Developer Portal

Two paths

Before you apply

Make sure you have:

How to get access

1

Apply in the Developer Portal

Create your organization profile and submit your application at staging.developer.timeback.com.
2

Sign terms and complete onboarding

Accept the developer terms and complete the developer relations call. This call is required to unlock staging access.
3

Receive staging credentials

After the call, staging credentials are issued to your organization. You receive a client ID and secret for the staging environment.
4

Build and submit

Implement the Level 1 requirements and submit evidence for review.
5

Review and approval

The Timeback team verifies requirements and approves your app. If rejected, you receive feedback and can resubmit.
6

Deploy to production

After approval, production credentials are issued for deployment.

What you get

After completing onboarding, you receive:
  • Staging credentials (client ID + secret) for development and testing
  • Access to the staging environment APIs
  • Ability to push app configurations via the CLI
Production credentials are issued later, after your integration passes review.

Integration levels

Timeback supports incremental integration levels. Start with Level 1 to get approved without rearchitecting your app. Each level unlocks more platform features and deeper integration with Timeback’s learning systems.
FeatureLevel 1Level 2
Launch and runtime support
Core learning events (XP, mastery)
Rostering via OneRoster
Staging and production credentials
Use Timeback placement data
Use PowerPath learning engine
Use QTI content formats
Use Timeback spaced repetition

Level 1: Minimal viable

Level 1 is the minimum viable integration. Your app works on the Timeback platform and follows the non-negotiables, but you keep your own learning engine, content formats, and algorithms. What you get:
  • Staging credentials after onboarding
  • Review path to production approval
  • Production credentials after deployment
Technical requirements:
RequirementDescription
App registrationRegister app in the Developer Portal
RosteringStudent rostering via supported session flows
Activity trackingRecord learning sessions with client-side activity tracking
Non-negotiable behaviors: These implementation details are tested and checked during review. Apps that violate these will be rejected.
  • XP reflects real learning minutes (1 XP = 1 minute of focused learning)
  • No XP below 80% accuracy
  • Mastery verified before advancement
  • Learning events are complete and accurate
Read the full non-negotiables for more details.
Not required at Level 1: You keep your own:
  • Learning engine and algorithms (e.g. no PowerPath)
  • Content formats (e.g. no QTI)
  • Placement and diagnostic logic
  • Spaced repetition implementation

Level 2: Fully native

Level 2 apps use Timeback’s learning systems instead of building their own. You read Timeback’s placement data and act on it. You use our learning engine, content formats, and spaced repetition algorithms.
Building a new app?If you are starting from scratch, talk to us first. We will share curriculum gaps and help you build for Level 2 from day one.
Level 2 requirements are being finalized. Check back for updates.
What changes from Level 1:
CapabilityWhat it means
Placement dataLeverage Timeback’s placement data
Learning engineUse PowerPath for sequencing and mastery logic
Content formatsStore and retrieve content in QTI format
Standards alignmentAlign to curriculum standards via CASE
Spaced repetitionUse Timeback’s review scheduling algorithm
Why Level 2:
  • Don’t reinvent placement, sequencing, or spaced repetition
  • Your app automatically benefits from platform-wide improvements
  • Deeper analytics and cross-app progress sharing

What to expect during review

The Timeback team checks your app against the non-negotiables and Level 1 requirements.
What we checkHow
XP calculationVerify 1 XP = 1 minute of focused learning
Accuracy gatingConfirm no XP below 80% accuracy
Mastery verificationCheck that advancement requires proof
Event emissionValidate Caliper events are complete and accurate
Launch compatibilityTest LTI launch and runtime behavior
If your app does not meet requirements, you receive specific feedback and can fix and resubmit.

Ready to build?

Once you have staging credentials:

Start building

Follow the step-by-step integration guide