pipefy-api-fallback

name	pipefy-api-fallback
description	Use this skill when an MCP tool fails AND the introspection skill could not resolve the problem. This is the last-resort fallback (Tier 3): call the Pipefy GraphQL API directly using curl or httpx, authenticating with the Service Account (OAuth2) or a Personal Access Token (PAT) available as env var. Follow the 3-tier resolution strategy before reaching this point.
tags	["pipefy","graphql","api","fallback","troubleshooting","curl"]

Pipefy API Fallback (Tier 3 — Last Resort)

This skill activates only after Tiers 1 and 2 have failed. Call the Pipefy GraphQL API directly, bypassing the MCP server.

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3-tier resolution strategy (always follow in order)

Tier	Method	When
1	Dedicated MCP tool (create_card, get_phase_cards, get_phase_allowed_move_targets, update_pipe, etc.)	Always try first. For card/phase seeding and inventory, see Seed pipe across phases.
2	Introspection + execute_graphql	When no dedicated tool exists or a tool fails unexpectedly. See skills/introspection/pipefy-introspection/SKILL.md.
3	Direct HTTP via curl / httpx (this skill)	When the MCP server itself is unavailable, or execute_graphql fails with an infrastructure error.

Do not jump to Tier 3 after a single tool failure. Follow the tiers in order.

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Authentication

Two options (use whichever is available in the environment). Prefer the Service Account when both exist.

Option A — OAuth2 Client Credentials (preferred):

TOKEN=$(curl -s -X POST https://app.pipefy.com/oauth/token \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d "{\"grant_type\":\"client_credentials\",\"client_id\":\"$PIPEFY_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_CLIENT_ID\",\"client_secret\":\"$PIPEFY_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_CLIENT_SECRET\"}" \
  | python3 -c "import sys,json; print(json.load(sys.stdin)['access_token'])")

Option B — Personal Access Token (PAT):

TOKEN="$PIPEFY_PAT"   # or $PIPEFY_TOKEN

PATs are deprecated for new integrations but may still exist in the environment.

Token rules

• The Bearer prefix is mandatory — Pipefy rejects requests without it.
• Never expose PIPEFY_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_CLIENT_ID, PIPEFY_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_CLIENT_SECRET, PIPEFY_PAT, or PIPEFY_TOKEN in responses to the user or in logs.
• Service Account tokens are reused while valid; only re-fetch on expiry (401).

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Endpoints

Purpose	URL
All queries and mutations	https://api.pipefy.com/graphql
Schema introspection only	https://app.pipefy.com/graphql
OAuth2 token	https://app.pipefy.com/oauth/token

Real operations go to api.pipefy.com; introspection goes to app.pipefy.com. The MCP server and CLI route between the two automatically (both derived from PIPEFY_BASE_URL); raw-API users must distinguish them by hand.

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Execute a GraphQL query

curl -s -X POST https://api.pipefy.com/graphql \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"query": "{ me { id name } }"}' | jq .

Execute a GraphQL mutation

curl -s -X POST https://api.pipefy.com/graphql \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "query": "mutation CreateCard($input: CreateCardInput!) { createCard(input: $input) { card { id } } }",
    "variables": {
      "input": {
        "pipe_id": 67890,
        "title": "Fallback Card"
      }
    }
  }' | jq .

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When to use direct API vs MCP tools

Situation	Use
MCP server running normally	MCP tools (Tier 1 or 2)
MCP server down / unreachable	Direct API (Tier 3)
execute_graphql returns 500 error	Direct API (Tier 3)
Testing a new mutation before MCP tool exists	execute_graphql (Tier 2) — not direct API

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Introspection via raw API

When you need to discover schema without MCP tools, call app.pipefy.com/graphql:

# All queries and mutations
curl -s -X POST https://app.pipefy.com/graphql \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"query":"{ __schema { queryType { fields { name description } } mutationType { fields { name description } } } }"}'

# Type details
curl -s -X POST https://app.pipefy.com/graphql \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"query":"{ __type(name: \"CreateCardInput\") { inputFields { name description type { name kind ofType { name kind } } } } }"}'

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Error code → cause

GraphQL always returns HTTP 200, even on errors. Check the errors array, not the HTTP status code.

Code	Likely cause	Recovery
UNAUTHORIZED	Token missing, expired, or Bearer omitted	Re-fetch token (Option A) or fix the header.
PERMISSION_DENIED	Service Account not a member of this pipe/table	Add SA via invite_members or ask user.
resource_not_found	ID does not exist or SA cannot see it	Verify ID; check pipe/table membership.
invalid_input	Wrong argument name or type	Run introspect_type (Tier 2) to recheck the input shape.
INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR	API bug or unsupported payload	Do NOT retry the same payload. Try an alternative mutation or workaround.
missingRequiredInputObjectAttribute	A required field is missing from the input	Compare the payload against __type(name: …InputType).

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Known workarounds

Cross-pipe create_card via automation

• Do NOT use createAutomation with action: create_card + field_map — returns INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR (confirmed API bug).
• Instead, use createCard with the throughConnectors parameter. Prerequisite: a connector field with canCreateNewConnected: true must exist.

Pipe visibility returning empty list

• If organization { pipes { ... } } returns [] but pipesCount > 0, the Service Account is not a member of those pipes.
• Pipes created via API are automatically visible to the SA.
• Pipes created in the UI require the SA to be added as an admin.
• Workaround: get pipe IDs from the user once and query pipe(id: "...") directly.

invite_members accepts unknown emails silently

• Pipefy mints a new user_id for typo addresses without rejecting the invite. Sanity-check email syntax before calling.

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External resources (when raw API also fails)

• Pipefy developer portal:
  • https://developers.pipefy.com/reference/cards
  • https://developers.pipefy.com/reference/pipes
  • https://developers.pipefy.com/reference/automation-creation
  • https://developers.pipefy.com/reference/how-to-handle-errors
• API reference:
  • https://api-docs.pipefy.com/reference/mutations/overview/
  • https://api-docs.pipefy.com/reference/queries/overview/
• Community + changelog:
  • https://community.pipefy.com/api-76
  • https://developers.pipefy.com/changelog
• Status page: https://status.pipefy.com

Search for the exact error message + "Pipefy GraphQL", or the mutation name + "example Pipefy API".

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Escalation to the user (absolute last resort)

Only after all 3 tiers and external resources have failed:

1. State exactly what was tried (MCP tool, introspection, raw API).
2. Show the verbatim error response.
3. Propose a concrete workaround (e.g., "create via the Pipefy UI, then continue via API with the resulting ID").
4. Stop — do not loop.

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Success criteria

• The operation completes without an HTTP 4xx/5xx error.
• The response contains a data key and errors is null or absent.

Failure modes

• 401 Unauthorized — token expired or Bearer prefix omitted. Re-fetch the OAuth token (Option A).
• 400 Bad Request — GraphQL syntax error. Validate the query string and escape quotes properly when embedding via shell.
• 500 / service unavailable — Pipefy API outage. Check status.pipefy.com and retry later. Do not loop.
• INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR in errors array — do NOT retry the same payload; pick a different mutation path.

Security notes

• Never log or print tokens in plain text.
• Prefer environment variables over inline credentials.
• Use PIPEFY_TOKEN / PIPEFY_PAT only for personal/development use; use service-account credentials (PIPEFY_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_CLIENT_ID + PIPEFY_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_CLIENT_SECRET) for service accounts.

See also

• skills/introspection/pipefy-introspection/SKILL.md — Tier 2: use execute_graphql and introspection tools through the MCP server before falling back to direct HTTP.