# REST API, Embedding SDK, CLI and MCP Server

*Tableau Next Consultant Study Guide · Embedding, Cross-Cloud, & Interoperability · Last updated November 13, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-next-consultant/embedding-cross-cloud-and-interoperability/rest-api-embedding-sdk-cli-and-mcp-server*

Which Tableau Next developer tool fits a requirement and how each is set up: the REST API with External Client App tokens, the Embedding SDK with Frontdoor URLs, filters and the agent component, the Salesforce CLI orchestrator plugin for templates, and the GA and Beta Tableau Next MCP servers.

- Certification: Salesforce Tableau Next Consultant
- Exam section: Embedding, Cross-Cloud, & Interoperability
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-next-consultant

**Official exam objective:**

> Describe tools and API available for developers.

## What the exam expects

- Pick the developer tool for a requirement: REST API, Embedding SDK, CLI orchestrator plugin or an MCP server.
- Configure REST API access: license, permission sets, External Client App scopes and JWT token settings, and diagnose token errors.
- Complete the Embedding SDK's one-time setup, authenticate with a Frontdoor URL, and fix version, orgUrl and filter problems.
- Configure the embedded agent component's context and custom images.
- Separate the GA MCP Server from the MCP Beta Server and complete the Data Apps (Beta) admin setup.

Key terms:
- **External Client App (ECA):** the recommended Salesforce app type that issues OAuth tokens to outside callers.
- **Frontdoor URL:** a short-lived URL that bridges an existing session into the embedded UI.
- **UnifiedFilterJson:** the JSON shape the SDK's filter methods read and write.
- **MCP (Model Context Protocol):** an open standard that lets AI clients reach data, tools and context in other systems.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| REST API user | Creator license plus Tableau Next Admin or Platform Analyst | [REST API get started](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/tableau-next-rest-api/guide/get-started.html) |
| REST API scopes | api, refresh_token/offline_access, sfap_api | [REST API authentication](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/tableau-next-rest-api/guide/auth_for_sfapi.html) |
| JWT token lifetime | 30 minutes by default; can be lowered only | [REST API authentication](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/tableau-next-rest-api/guide/auth_for_sfapi.html) |
| SDK version | v2.0 required from July '26 | [Install the SDK](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/sdk/guide/sdk-integration-install-sdk.html) |
| Inline frame trust | Session Settings, Trusted Domains for Inline Frames, Lightning Out | [Update settings](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/sdk/guide/sdk-setup-settings.html) |
| Frontdoor URL endpoint | /services/oauth2/singleaccess | [Access token and Frontdoor URL](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/sdk/guide/sdk-access-token.html) |
| orgUrl | Lightning URL, not my.salesforce.com | [Add a component](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/sdk/guide/sdk-integration-initialize-embed.html) |
| Filterable components | Dashboard, metric and visualization only | [Filters](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/sdk/guide/sdk-embedded-components-filters.html) |
| Avatar image host | Trusted URL with img-src | [Embed the Tableau Agent](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/sdk/guide/sdk-integration-embed-agent.html) |
| Data Apps server | Tableau Next Beta (tableau-next-pilot), Activate | [Data Apps admin setup](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.tua_data_apps_admin_setup_howto.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |

## Check yourself

- When must an embedding app send a PKCE code challenge and verifier?
- Which domain formats does Trusted Domains for Inline Frames accept for the web app?
- When a user's first AI-client sign-in through a newly created External Client App fails, what does Help advise?
- Why does the Embedding SDK npm package include a SKILL.md file?

## Sources

- [Getting Started with Tableau Next REST API](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/tableau-next-rest-api/guide/get-started.html)
- [Authenticate for Tableau Next Salesforce REST API Endpoints](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/tableau-next-rest-api/guide/auth_for_sfapi.html)
- [Get Started with the Tableau Next Embedding SDK](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/sdk/guide/sdk-overview.html)
- [Install the Tableau Next Embedding SDK](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/sdk/guide/sdk-integration-install-sdk.html)
- [Set Up Salesforce for Embedding Tableau Next Externally](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/sdk/guide/sdk-setup-sfdc.html)
- [Update Salesforce Settings for Tableau Next Embedding](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/sdk/guide/sdk-setup-settings.html)
- [Generate the Access Token and Frontdoor URL for Tableau Next Embedding](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/sdk/guide/sdk-access-token.html)
- [Copy Component Code Snippet from Tableau Next](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/sdk/guide/sdk-integration-copy-asset.html)
- [Add a Tableau Next Component to Your Web App](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/sdk/guide/sdk-integration-initialize-embed.html)
- [Using Filters in Tableau Next Components](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/sdk/guide/sdk-embedded-components-filters.html)
- [Embed the Tableau Agent](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/sdk/guide/sdk-integration-embed-agent.html)
- [Get Started with the App Template Framework](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/app-template-framework/guide/atf-get-started.html)
- [Tableau Next Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.tua_data_sdm_mcp.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Tableau Next MCP Beta Server (Beta)](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.tua_data_mcp_beta_server.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Administrator Setup for Tableau Next Data Apps (Beta)](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.tua_data_apps_admin_setup_howto.htm&type=5&language=en_US)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 15 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Tableau Next Consultant pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams