---
title: Sitecore credential usage
slug: '2490'
canonical_url: https://docs.coveo.com/en/2490/
collection: coveo-for-sitecore-v5
source_format: adoc
---
# Sitecore credential usage
At activation time, Coveo for Sitecore asks for the credentials of a Sitecore instance administrator user, which it uses for a few key operations:

* Index content only visible to administrators.
* Generate the Coveo for Sitecore diagnostic package, which can be sent to Coveo Support for troubleshooting (see [Troubleshoot problems using the Coveo Diagnostic Page](https://docs.coveo.com/en/2537#coveo-for-sitecore-diagnostic-package)).

These credentials can later be modified in the [Command Center](https://docs.coveo.com/en/2566#security).

> **Important**
>
> You must provide the credentials of a Sitecore user.
> An external identity provider user having access to Sitecore through [federated authentication](https://doc.sitecore.com/xp/en/developers/93/sitecore-experience-manager/configure-federated-authentication.html) won't work.

> **Leading practice**
>
> Create a dedicated Sitecore instance administrator user for Coveo and use it (rather than the main Sitecore administrator user) in the activation steps.
> This will prevent main Sitecore administrator lock out issues.