generated: '2026-07-27'
method: searched
source: openapi/virtual-peaker-gravity-connect-device-partner-api-openapi.yml
docs:
- https://assets.virtualpeaker.io/gravity-connect/vp-api.html#section/Authentication
- https://assets.virtualpeaker.io/gravity-connect/device-partner-api.html#section/Authentication
note: >-
  Derived mechanically from the OpenAPI securitySchemes, then upgraded from the published
  Authentication sections of both Gravity Connect guides. The upgrade matters: the VPP publishing
  document declares an EMPTY components.securitySchemes and no security requirement, yet all five
  of its operations are authenticated with an HMAC-SHA256 signature. A tool reading only the spec
  would conclude that half of Gravity Connect is unauthenticated.
summary:
  types:
  - oauth2
  - hmac
  oauth2_flows:
  - authorizationCode
  - clientCredentials
  directions:
  - direction: VPP -> Device Partner
    model: oauth2
  - direction: Device Partner -> VPP
    model: hmac-sha256 body signature
credential_issuance:
  model: partner-only, per utility program
  request: gravity-connect@virtual-peaker.com
  self_serve: false
schemes:
- name: device_partner_api_auth
  type: oauth2
  direction: VPP -> Device Partner
  flows:
  - flow: clientCredentials
    tokenUrl: https://example.com/oauth/token
    tokenUrl_note: >-
      Placeholder. The Device Partner (OEM) hosts the authorization server; the real token endpoint
      is exchanged during onboarding.
    scopes: 1
    scope_names: [basic_partner_read_write]
  client_authentication: Send as Basic header (per Virtual Peaker's published Postman setup)
  credentials: [clientId, clientSecret]
  credentials_note: program-specific, provided by the Device Partner
  applies_to_operations: 16 of the 18 device-partner operations
  sources:
  - openapi/virtual-peaker-gravity-connect-device-partner-api-openapi.yml
- name: device_partner_user_auth
  type: oauth2
  direction: VPP -> Device Partner (homeowner-consented)
  flows:
  - flow: authorizationCode
    authorizationUrl: https://example.com/oauth/authorize
    tokenUrl: https://example.com/oauth/token
    scopes: 1
    scope_names: [user_read]
  description: >-
    If using the OAuth onboarding method, this authentication method is used for the respective
    endpoints (published description). Used by the OAuth Device Discovery enrollment flow, where
    the homeowner logs in to the device partner and grants the VPP access to their devices. May
    reuse the client-credentials application or use separate credentials.
  applies_to_operations: [readCurrentUser, readCurrentUserDevices]
  pkce: not specified in the specification
  sources:
  - openapi/virtual-peaker-gravity-connect-device-partner-api-openapi.yml
- name: publish_hmac
  type: hmac
  algorithm: HMAC-SHA256
  direction: Device Partner -> VPP
  declared_in_spec: false
  header: Authorization
  value_format: 'Publish <hex-hmac>'
  signed_material: the raw JSON request body
  key_material:
  - name: PROGRAM_PUBLISH_SECRET
    issued: when the utility program is set up
    used_by: [publishCommand, publishDeviceEnrollment, publishDevicePartnerDrivenEnrollment]
  - name: DEVICE_PUBLISH_SECRET
    issued: per device, delivered when the VPP calls modifySubscription at enrollment
    used_by: [publishSignalSetting, publishDeviceCommand]
  path_identifier: PROGRAM_PUBLISH_KEY (path parameter on every publishing endpoint)
  reference_implementation: |
    const crypto = require('crypto');
    const computedHMAC = crypto.createHmac('sha256', secret).update(body).digest('hex');
    // Authorization: Publish ${computedHMAC}
  history: spec 1.2.0 clarified the header is `Authorization`, not `Authentication`
  sources:
  - https://assets.virtualpeaker.io/gravity-connect/vp-api.html#section/Authentication
  - openapi/virtual-peaker-gravity-connect-vpp-api-openapi.yml
gaps:
- the VPP publishing document declares no securityScheme at all — see
  overlays/virtual-peaker-gravity-connect-vpp-api-overlay.yaml for the recommended declaration
- the root security requirement of the device-partner document references a scope
  (device_partner_basic_auth) that no flow declares
- no OIDC discovery, no RFC 8414 metadata, no PKCE requirement, no mTLS
- no token lifetime, refresh or rotation policy is published