--- title: "Just-in-Time Provisioning — Identity Glossary | IDSync" description: "Just-in-Time (JIT) provisioning creates or updates a user account in a downstream application at the moment the user first signs in via SSO — using…" lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://idsync.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Glossary", "item": "https://idsync.com/glossary" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Just-in-Time Provisioning", "item": "https://idsync.com/glossary/jit-provisioning" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "DefinedTerm", "@id": "https://idsync.com/glossary/jit-provisioning", "name": "Just-in-Time Provisioning", "alternateName": [ "JIT", "JIT Provisioning", "JIT" ], "description": "Just-in-Time (JIT) provisioning creates or updates a user account in a downstream application at the moment the user first signs in via SSO — using attributes from the SAML/OIDC assertion instead of a pre-built SCIM sync.", "url": "https://idsync.com/glossary/jit-provisioning", "inDefinedTermSet": "https://idsync.com/glossary" } ] --- [![IDSync — identity software buyer platform](/assets/idsync-logo-BKS89EW4.png)](/) [Directory](/directory) [Compare](/compare) [Resources](/resources) [Browse tools](/directory)[Run Stack Finder](/stack-finder) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Glossary](/glossary) 3. Just-in-Time Provisioning Provisioning # Just-in-Time Provisioning (JIT) Just-in-Time (JIT) provisioning creates or updates a user account in a downstream application at the moment the user first signs in via SSO — using attributes from the SAML/OIDC assertion instead of a pre-built SCIM sync. Last reviewed 3 months ago Key points - JIT eliminates pre-provisioning: the user account exists only after first sign-in. - Works well for apps that don't support SCIM, or for low-touch onboarding. - Limitation: no deprovisioning. The account stays after the user leaves unless paired with SCIM or scheduled cleanup. - Attribute updates happen on each sign-in, so it doubles as a soft sync for changed roles/email/etc. - Most enterprise IdPs (Okta, Entra ID, Ping, Google) support JIT provisioning into SAML/OIDC apps. ## What is JIT provisioning? **Just-in-Time (JIT) provisioning** creates a user record in a downstream application **the first time that user signs in via SSO**. The IdP's signed assertion carries enough attributes (email, name, groups) for the app to mint an account on the spot. It's the lightweight alternative to a full SCIM sync — useful when: - The downstream app doesn't speak SCIM. - The user population is large and unpredictable, so pre-provisioning everyone is wasteful. - You want to keep authoritative attributes in the IdP and let them flow on each sign-in. ## How it works 1. New employee Alice tries to access Notion. Notion sees no session, redirects to the IdP. 2. Alice authenticates. The IdP issues a SAML Assertion / OIDC ID token containing `email`, `given_name`, `family_name`, and `groups`. 3. Notion validates the assertion, finds no matching local account, and creates one using the attributes. 4. Subsequent sign-ins update the attributes (group membership changes role, name changes propagate). ## Where it falls short - **Deprovisioning** — JIT doesn't offboard. If Alice leaves the company, her Notion account stays unless the IdP can also send a SCIM `DELETE` (or you run periodic cleanup). - **License management** — apps that bill per active user need pre-provisioning to size licenses; JIT can blow budgets if every employee accidentally signs in. - **Pre-creating groups / spaces / mailboxes** — JIT can only act at sign-in time. ## JIT vs SCIM | Concern | JIT | SCIM | | --- | --- | --- | | Onboarding latency | Zero (account at first login) | Near-real-time on HRIS event | | Offboarding | No | Yes | | Group sync | At sign-in | Continuous | | Best for | Long-tail SaaS, partner orgs | Critical apps, regulated workloads | ## Editorial note Use JIT for the long tail and SCIM for the critical apps. The combination — JIT for fast onboarding plus periodic SCIM/CSV-driven offboarding — is a pragmatic middle ground when budgets won't cover SCIM everywhere. IDSync provides educational buyer guidance based on publicly available information, editorial review, and user-submitted data. Vendor information should be verified before purchase. [Who we are, our methodology & disclosure policy](/about). ### One identity concept, explained per issue Get vendor-neutral identity explainers and market updates in your inbox. Work email\* Name Company Role (optional) Interests (optional) Pick what you want more of. IAMCIAMSSO/MFAIGA/PAMSCIM/provisioningAI agent identityVendor updatesSecurity incidents Subscribe Twice-monthly identity digest. Curated, vendor-neutral. Unsubscribe any time. ### Vendor categories [provisioning](/directory/category/provisioning)[iam platforms](/directory/category/iam-platforms) ### Related terms [scim](/glossary/scim)[sso](/glossary/sso)[saml](/glossary/saml)[openid connect](/glossary/openid-connect)[jml](/glossary/jml) ### Not sure which tool you need? 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