How to build a public Adobe Commerce integration: Building the Auth Flow

Aug 3, 2024 • 7 minute read

Hey there, fellow JavaScript devs! Ready to dive into the world of Adobe Commerce integrations? Today, we're going to tackle one of the most crucial parts of building a public integration: the authorization flow. Buckle up, because we're about to make your integration secure and user-friendly in no time!

Introduction

Adobe Commerce integrations are a fantastic way to extend the platform's capabilities, but they're only as good as their security. That's where a rock-solid auth flow comes in. We'll be focusing on building a user-facing integration that's both secure and smooth.

Prerequisites

Before we jump in, make sure you've got:

An Adobe Commerce developer account (if you don't have one, go grab it!)
A basic understanding of OAuth 2.0 (don't worry, we'll cover the essentials)
A Node.js and Express.js setup ready to go

Setting up the integration in Adobe Commerce

First things first, let's get our integration set up in Adobe Commerce:

Log into your Adobe Commerce developer account
Create a new integration (give it a cool name!)
Jot down your client ID and client secret (keep these safe!)
Configure your redirect URIs (we'll use these later)

Implementing the auth flow

Now for the fun part – let's build this auth flow!

Initiating the OAuth 2.0 flow

We'll start by constructing the authorization URL:

const authUrl = `https://your-adobe-commerce-instance.com/oauth/authorize?response_type=code&client_id=${clientId}&redirect_uri=${encodeURIComponent(redirectUri)}`;

Now, redirect your user to this URL. They'll log in to Adobe Commerce and grant permissions to your app.

Handling the callback

Once the user grants permission, Adobe Commerce will redirect them back to your app with an authorization code. Let's grab that code:

app.get('/callback', async (req, res) => {
  const { code } = req.query;
  // Now, let's exchange this code for tokens
});

Exchanging the code for tokens

Time to swap that code for some shiny new tokens:

const tokenResponse = await axios.post('https://your-adobe-commerce-instance.com/oauth/token', {
  grant_type: 'authorization_code',
  client_id: clientId,
  client_secret: clientSecret,
  code,
  redirect_uri: redirectUri
});

const { access_token, refresh_token } = tokenResponse.data;

Storing tokens securely

Now that we've got our tokens, let's keep them safe. Store them securely (think encryption, secure cookies, or a database with proper security measures).

Making authenticated requests

With your access token in hand, you're ready to make API calls:

const response = await axios.get('https://your-adobe-commerce-instance.com/api/endpoint', {
  headers: {
    Authorization: `Bearer ${accessToken}`
  }
});

Don't forget to handle token expiration and implement token refresh when needed!

Error handling and edge cases

Always be prepared! Handle these scenarios:

Invalid or expired tokens
User denies permission
Network failures

A little error handling goes a long way in creating a robust integration.

Security considerations

Security isn't just a feature, it's a necessity. Remember:

Use HTTPS everywhere
Store tokens securely
Implement CSRF protection

Your users are trusting you with their data – don't let them down!

Testing the auth flow

Before you ship it, test it! Here's a quick checklist:

Manual testing: Go through the flow yourself
Automated testing: Set up some tests to catch any regressions

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a secure auth flow for your Adobe Commerce integration. Pat yourself on the back – you're one step closer to integration greatness!

Remember, this is just the beginning. Keep exploring the Adobe Commerce API, and don't be afraid to push the boundaries of what your integration can do.

Additional resources

Want to dive deeper? Check out these resources:

Now go forth and integrate! Your Adobe Commerce users are waiting for the awesome features you're about to unleash. Happy coding!