How to build a public Bubble integration: Building the Auth Flow

Hey there, fellow JavaScript enthusiast! Ready to dive into the world of Bubble integrations? Today, we're going to tackle one of the most crucial aspects 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!

Setting the Stage

Before we jump in, let's make sure we're on the same page. I'm assuming you're already familiar with Bubble and have a good grasp of JavaScript. If you're nodding along, great! If not, don't worry – a quick refresher on these topics should get you up to speed.

OAuth 2.0: Your New Best Friend

First things first, let's talk OAuth 2.0. It's the industry standard for authorization, and it's what we'll be using for our Bubble integration. In a nutshell, OAuth 2.0 allows users to grant limited access to their resources without sharing their credentials. Pretty neat, right?

For Bubble integrations, we'll be focusing on the Authorization Code flow. It's secure, it's reliable, and it's perfect for our needs.

Building the Auth Flow

Step 1: Kickstarting the OAuth Process

Let's get this party started! We'll begin by creating an authorization URL. This is where your users will be redirected to grant permission to your integration.

const authUrl = `https://bubble.io/oauth2/authorize?client_id=${YOUR_CLIENT_ID}&redirect_uri=${YOUR_REDIRECT_URI}&response_type=code`;

When a user clicks your "Connect" button, send them to this URL. Bubble will handle the heavy lifting of user authentication.

Step 2: Handling the Callback

Once the user grants permission, Bubble will redirect them back to your specified redirect URI with an authorization code. Time to exchange that code for some shiny access tokens!

async function handleCallback(code) {
  const response = await fetch('https://bubble.io/oauth2/token', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded' },
    body: `client_id=${YOUR_CLIENT_ID}&client_secret=${YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET}&code=${code}&grant_type=authorization_code&redirect_uri=${YOUR_REDIRECT_URI}`
  });
  const { access_token, refresh_token } = await response.json();
  // Store these tokens securely
}

Step 3: Token Management

Now that you've got your tokens, treat them like gold! Store them securely (please, not in localStorage) and use the access token for API requests. Don't forget to implement a refresh mechanism:

async function refreshToken(refresh_token) {
  const response = await fetch('https://bubble.io/oauth2/token', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded' },
    body: `client_id=${YOUR_CLIENT_ID}&client_secret=${YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET}&refresh_token=${refresh_token}&grant_type=refresh_token`
  });
  const { access_token, refresh_token: new_refresh_token } = await response.json();
  // Update stored tokens
}

Step 4: Making Authenticated Requests

Time to put those tokens to work! Here's how you can make authenticated requests to Bubble's API:

async function makeApiRequest(endpoint, access_token) {
  const response = await fetch(`https://bubble.io/api/1.1/${endpoint}`, {
    headers: { 'Authorization': `Bearer ${access_token}` }
  });
  // Handle the response
}

Keeping It Secure

Security isn't just a feature, it's a necessity. Here are some quick tips:

1. Implement CSRF protection for your callback endpoint.
2. Use secure, HTTP-only cookies or server-side storage for tokens.
3. Have a plan for token revocation when a user disconnects your integration.

Testing, Testing, 1-2-3

Before you release your integration into the wild, give it a thorough test drive. Set up a test environment and try to break things (in a good way). Handle edge cases like expired tokens, network errors, and user cancellations gracefully.

Making It Look Good

Don't forget about the user experience! Implement a smooth connect/disconnect flow and always keep your users informed about their connection status. A little UI love goes a long way.

Wrapping Up

And there you have it! You've just built a secure, user-friendly auth flow for your Bubble integration. Remember, the key to a great integration is attention to detail and always putting your users first.

Keep iterating, keep improving, and most importantly, keep coding! You've got this, and your Bubble integration is going to be awesome. Happy integrating!