## What it is

Connecting LinkedIn brings your LinkedIn conversations into your Ruut Chat workspace, so your team can read and reply to LinkedIn messages from the same inbox as every other channel. The connection runs through **Ruut Connect**, a small browser extension that links your LinkedIn account to your workspace with your permission. You set it up once, and messages and replies then work automatically.


## ![](https://app.ruut.chat/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBNEt5Qnc9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--f851aa8a555523ffc7b56145a149b2f4db1ea382/Screenshot%202026-10-19%20at%207.05.51%E2%80%AFPM.png)

## Why it matters

A lot of business conversations start on LinkedIn: prospects, partners, recruits. Without a connection, those messages live in one person's LinkedIn account, where they get missed, can't be shared with teammates, and leave no record in your workspace. Once connected, LinkedIn messages land in your Ruut inbox next to your other channels, so anyone on your team can pick them up, assign them, and reply.

## Before you start

Have ready:

* **A computer** with **Chrome.** Ruut Connect is a desktop browser extension, so it can't be set up from a phone.

* **Admin access** to your Ruut Chat workspace, so you can add an inbox

* **Your LinkedIn login**, for the exact account you want to connect

* **A folder you can keep** for the extension files. The extension needs this folder to stay where you put it.

## How to set it up: step by step

### Step 1: Open Workspaces and click "Add Inbox"

In Ruut Chat, open **Settings → Workspaces**. You'll see every channel already connected to your account. Click **Add Inbox** in the top right.

### ![](https://app.ruut.chat/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBNE95Qnc9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--968f59b3450e0d4ac691531ef939395353261dbe/Screenshot%202026-10-19%20at%207.05.37%E2%80%AFPM.png)Step 2: Choose LinkedIn

The setup wizard has four stages: **Choose Channel → Create Workspace → Add Agents → Voilà**. On the first stage, select **LinkedIn** ("Connect your LinkedIn conversations").

### Step 3: Download the Ruut Connect extension

On the **Connect LinkedIn** screen, the **Ruut Connect extension** card shows **Setup required**. Click **Download extension**. A file named `ruut-connect.tar.gz` downloads to your computer.


### ![](https://app.ruut.chat/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBNFN5Qnc9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--f989bcaa41b60736f562b242c9ced136628e509b/Screenshot%202026-10-19%20at%207.05.59%E2%80%AFPM.png)Step 4: Extract the downloaded file

Extract `ruut-connect.tar.gz` into a folder you'll keep, for example a "ruut-connect" folder in Downloads or Documents. When it's done, the folder should contain a file called `manifest.json`. Don't delete or move this folder afterwards, because your browser reads the extension from it every time.

### Step 5: Open your browser's Extensions page

In a new tab, paste `chrome://extensions` into the address bar and press Enter. (In Brave or Edge, the same page is reachable from the browser's extensions menu.)


### ![](https://app.ruut.chat/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBNFd5Qnc9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--0f9aa6531cc4738a34d95bf4d486ea4e506bdec4/Screenshot%202026-10-19%20at%209.37.32%E2%80%AFPM.png)Step 6: Turn on Developer mode

Switch on **Developer mode** in the top right. Three new buttons appear: **Load unpacked**, **Pack extension**, and **Update**.


### ![](https://app.ruut.chat/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBNGF5Qnc9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--801506f64934813091100d2fb6284cae7f46c31f/Screenshot%202026-10-19%20at%209.37.45%E2%80%AFPM.png)Step 7: Load the extension

Click **Load unpacked**. A file window opens asking you to select the extension directory. Choose the extracted `ruut-connect` folder (the one containing `manifest.json`) and click **Select**.

\
![](https://app.ruut.chat/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBNGV5Qnc9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--30010a67696cc9e1f50862bb357d71955f938ce9/Screenshot%202026-10-19%20at%209.38.43%E2%80%AFPM.png)

**Ruut Connect** now appears in your list of extensions, described as "Connect your LinkedIn and X accounts to a workspace in Ruut with your permission."


### ![](https://app.ruut.chat/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBNGl5Qnc9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--d54fb20d179fc3ae4a7593f563f620a0c52e6f69/Screenshot%202026-10-19%20at%209.39.15%E2%80%AFPM.png)Step 8: Return to Ruut and check for the extension

Go back to the Connect LinkedIn screen in Ruut and click **Check for extension**. The card's status changes from **Setup required** to **Installed**.

### Step 9: Name your workspace

In the **Workspace Name** field, enter a name that makes this inbox easy to recognize later, such as "Sales LinkedIn" or the name of the person whose account is connected.

### ![](https://app.ruut.chat/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBNG15Qnc9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--40f14acc443bf7b943408250bab9dab7f3805d03/Screenshot%202026-10-19%20at%209.40.05%E2%80%AFPM.png)Step 10: Continue with Ruut Connect

Click **Continue with Ruut Connect**. A new Ruut Connect page opens with three stages: **Account access → Verify → Confirm in Ruut**. You choose which LinkedIn account to connect, and you can disconnect at any time.

### ![](https://app.ruut.chat/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBNHF5Qnc9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--094710c19de28352d95199d590490395877c2761/Screenshot%202026-10-19%20at%209.40.18%E2%80%AFPM.png)Step 11: Sign in to LinkedIn and allow permission

Click **Open LinkedIn to sign in**, then sign in to the LinkedIn account you want to connect. Your browser will ask whether to let Ruut Connect **read and change your data on **[**www.linkedin.com**](http://www.linkedin.com/). This permission is what lets the extension pass your messages into Ruut. Click **Allow**.


### ![](https://app.ruut.chat/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBNSt5Qnc9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--ba1485ed593c5b1fa5ccd2e7cf7f88d00325ef1d/Screenshot%202026-10-19%20at%209.40.30%E2%80%AFPM.png)Step 12: Verify and confirm in Ruut

Follow the on-screen prompts through **Verify** and **Confirm in Ruut**, reviewing the LinkedIn profile Ruut shows you to be sure it's the right account.

### Step 13: Your inbox is ready

When the connection completes, Ruut shows **"Your Inbox is ready!"** with two options: **More settings** (to adjust the inbox) or **Take me there** (to open it and start working).

## ![](https://app.ruut.chat/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBNkt5Qnc9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--78941441e4311d887ce682ff85bd5e187555d291/Screenshot%202026-10-19%20at%209.41.37%E2%80%AFPM.png)Final checklist

* You're on a computer using Chrome.

* The Ruut Connect extension shows in your Extensions list and is switched on

* The extracted folder is saved somewhere permanent and hasn't been moved or deleted

* The Connect LinkedIn screen shows **Installed**

* You signed in to the correct LinkedIn account

* You allowed the permission prompt

* "Your Inbox is ready!" appeared, and the new inbox is listed under Settings → Workspaces

## Common problems

**The Continue with Ruut Connect button is greyed out** — Ruut hasn't detected the extension yet. Click **Check for extension**. If it still isn't detected, confirm the extension is listed and switched on in your browser's Extensions page.

**Load unpacked doesn't appear** — Developer mode is off. Switch it on in the top right of the Extensions page.

**The browser rejects the folder** — You've likely selected the wrong level. Choose the folder that directly contains `manifest.json`, not a parent folder or the downloaded `.tar.gz` file.

**The connection stops working later** — The extension loads from the folder you selected, so moving or deleting that folder breaks it. Put the folder back, or load the extension again from its new location.

**You connected the wrong LinkedIn account** — Disconnect it from the inbox settings and repeat the process while signed in to the right account. You can disconnect at any time.

**You clicked Deny on the permission prompt** — The connection can't complete without it. Restart from **Continue with Ruut Connect** and choose **Allow** when asked.

## What's next

Once LinkedIn is connected, add your teammates as agents so they can reply from the new inbox, and set up labels or automation to route LinkedIn conversations to the right people.