---
title: Develop and maintain nodes
description: Develop and maintain custom authentication nodes for PingAM by implementing the Node interface, storing state, accessing identity profiles, handling callbacks, and creating plugin classes
component: pingam
version: 8
page_id: pingam:auth-nodes:develop-maintain-nodes
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingam/8.1/auth-nodes/develop-maintain-nodes.html
llms_txt: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingam/llms.txt
docs_for_agents: https://developer.pingidentity.com/build-with-ai/docs-for-agents.md
revdate: 2026-06-01T14:34:20Z
keywords: ["Extensibility", "Nodes & Trees"]
superseded_by: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingam/8.1/auth-nodes/develop-maintain-nodes.html
---

# Develop and maintain nodes

The following table describes the tasks involved in developing and maintaining custom nodes:

| Task                                                                                                                                                                                                | Resources                                                              |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Create a class to implement the `Node` interfaceThis class is your custom authentication node. It should define all aspects of your node, such as configuration data, outcomes, and business logic. | [Node class](core-class.html)                                          |
| Store values in shared tree stateUse the tree state to store values for use by downstream nodes.                                                                                                    | [Store values in shared tree state](store-values-shared-state.html)    |
| Access an identity's profileRead or write data to and from an identity's profile. The identity must be verified before it can be accessed.                                                          | [Access an identity's profile](access-identity-profile.html)           |
| Include callbacksUse existing callbacks to interact with the authenticating user.                                                                                                                   | [Include callbacks](include-callbacks.html)                            |
| Handle multiple visits to a nodeAllow the authentication flow to return to the same node if needed.                                                                                                 | [Handle multiple visits to the same node](handle-multiple-visits.html) |
| Create a plugin classThe plugin class provides details about your node to AM.                                                                                                                       | [Plugin class](plugin-class.html)                                      |