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

Aug 14, 2024 • 6 minute read

Introduction

Hey there, fellow JavaScript enthusiast! Ready to dive into the world of Clio integrations? Today, we're going to tackle one of the most crucial aspects of building a public Clio integration: the authorization flow. Clio's API is a powerhouse for legal practice management, and nailing the auth flow is your ticket to unlocking its full potential. So, let's roll up our sleeves and get to work!

Prerequisites

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

A Clio Developer account (if you don't have one, go grab it!)
An application registered in the Clio Developer Portal
A Node.js environment set up and ready to go

Got all that? Great! Let's move on to the good stuff.

OAuth 2.0 Flow Overview

Clio uses OAuth 2.0 for authorization, specifically the Authorization Code Grant type. It's like a secret handshake between your app and Clio. You'll need three key pieces:

Client ID
Client Secret
Redirect URI

Keep these close – they're your VIP pass to the Clio API party.

Implementing the Authorization Flow

Initiating the Auth Request

First things first, we need to send our users to Clio's authorization page. Here's how:

const authUrl = `https://app.clio.com/oauth/authorize?response_type=code&client_id=${clientId}&redirect_uri=${redirectUri}`;
// Redirect your user to this URL

Handling the Callback

Once the user gives the thumbs up, Clio will send them back to your redirect URI with an authorization code. Time to swap that code for some tokens!

const { code } = req.query;
const tokenResponse = await axios.post('https://app.clio.com/oauth/token', {
  grant_type: 'authorization_code',
  code,
  client_id: clientId,
  client_secret: clientSecret,
  redirect_uri: redirectUri
});

const { access_token, refresh_token } = tokenResponse.data;

Token Management

Now that you've got your tokens, treat them like gold. Store them securely (please, not in plain text!) and keep that access token fresh:

async function refreshAccessToken(refreshToken) {
  const response = await axios.post('https://app.clio.com/oauth/token', {
    grant_type: 'refresh_token',
    refresh_token: refreshToken,
    client_id: clientId,
    client_secret: clientSecret
  });
  return response.data.access_token;
}

Making Authenticated Requests

You've got the keys to the kingdom. Use them wisely:

const response = await axios.get('https://app.clio.com/api/v4/users/who_am_i', {
  headers: { 'Authorization': `Bearer ${accessToken}` }
});

Error Handling and Edge Cases

Things don't always go smoothly. Be ready for:

Expired tokens (refresh 'em!)
User denials (handle gracefully)
API hiccups (retry with exponential backoff)

Security Considerations

Security isn't just a feature, it's a must-have. Remember:

Always use HTTPS
Store tokens securely (consider encryption)
Implement CSRF protection

Testing the Integration

Before you go live, give your integration a workout in Clio's sandbox environment. Test common scenarios and edge cases to ensure a smooth user experience.

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built the foundation of a rock-solid Clio integration. The auth flow might seem like a lot at first, but it's the gateway to creating powerful, secure integrations that your users will love.

Additional Resources

Want to dive deeper? Check out:

Now go forth and build something awesome! Remember, every great integration started with a single API call. You've got this! 🚀