---
title: Custom Java nodes
description: These topics provide guidance and best practices for developing and maintaining Java authentication nodes in AM.
component: pingam
version: 8.1
page_id: pingam:auth-nodes:preface
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingam/8.1/auth-nodes/preface.html
keywords: ["Extensibility", "Integration", "Nodes & Trees"]
page_aliases: ["index.adoc"]
---

# Custom Java nodes

These topics provide guidance and best practices for developing and maintaining Java authentication nodes in AM.

|   |                                                                                                             |
| - | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   | To create your own custom scripted nodes, use the [Node Designer](../am-authentication/node-designer.html). |

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#### [About authentication nodes](about-nodes.html)

Learn how nodes define actions taken during authentication.

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#### [Prepare your environment](preparing-for-nodes.html)

Discover the prerequisites for building and customizing Java authentication nodes.

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#### [Secure nodes](secure-nodes.html)

Learn about security best practices when developing authentication nodes.

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#### [Develop nodes](develop-maintain-nodes.html)

Learn how to develop and maintain authentication nodes.

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#### [Translate nodes](i18n-nodes.html)

Internationalize the text in your nodes.

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#### [Build and install nodes](build-install-nodes.html)

Find out how to build and install authentication nodes for use in authentication trees.

You can find information on configuring and using authentication trees in [Trees](../am-authentication/auth-trees.html).