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

# Mendix

> This page outlines the steps to connect Mendix to Connect AI using the [OData](/en/API/OData-Dashboard) protocol. This requires the use of workspaces. See the [Workspaces](/en/Workspaces) documentation for more information.

## Prerequisites

Before you connect, you must first do the following:

* Connect a data source to your Connect AI account. See [Sources](/en/Sources) for more information.
* Create a [Workspace](/en/Workspaces). Later, you will use the **OData Service URL** on that page (*[https://cloud.cdata.com/api/odata/\{workspace\\\_name}](https://cloud.cdata.com/api/odata/\{workspace\\_name})*) with the relevant workspace name to establish the connection.
* Generate a Personal Access Token (PAT) on the [Settings](/en/Settings#personal-access-tokens) page. Copy this down, as it acts as your password during authentication.

## Connect to Connect AI

To establish a connection from Mendix to Connect AI using the OData protocol, follow these steps.

Then, download the OData metadata file according to the steps below.

### Downloading the OData Metadata File

When creating a connection in Mendix, the connection flow requires a Data Source Contract File. Follow these steps to download the OData metadata file for Connect AI using *curl*, a command line tool:

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Open a command-line window for your operating system.

    * On Windows, open the start menu, type *cmd*, and press the enter key to open a command prompt.
    * On macOS and Linux, open a Terminal window.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    To check if curl is installed on your system, type *curl -help* and press the enter key. If it is not installed, install it from [the curl website](https://curl.se/).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Issue the following curl command, replacing `[user]` with your Connect AI username and `[PAT]` with the PAT you generated above:

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -u [user]:[PAT] https://cloud.cdata.com/api/odata/service/$metadata -o metadata.xml
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Locate the metadata.xml file that the curl command created and move it to an accessible location.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Connect to Connect AI in Mendix

Follow these steps to establish a connection from Mendix to Connect AI:

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Login to Mendix and open the **Data Hub** page.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    In the **Register a Data Source** section, select **OData**.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Upload the metadata.xml file [from the steps above](#downloading-the-odata-metadata-file) and click **Next**.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Enter your desired values for **Data Source Name** and **Data Source Version**.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    In the **Data Source Relative Path** field, enter */api/odata/service* and click **Next**.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    On the **Application information** page, click **Register a new application**.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Enter a name in **Application Name** and select a technical owner (by default, this is the user who is currently logged in).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click **Next**. In the **Environment Name** field, enter a desired name (for example, *Connect AI*).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    In the **Environment Location** field, enter *[https://cloud.cdata.com](https://cloud.cdata.com)* and select **Non-Production** for the environment type.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click **Done!** to create your connection.
  </Step>
</Steps>

You can now use your connection in Mendix Studio Pro.