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

Aug 7, 2024 • 6 minute read

Hey there, fellow JavaScript enthusiast! Ready to dive into the world of Cloudflare integrations? Today, we're going to walk through building a rock-solid authorization flow for your user-facing integration. Buckle up, because we're about to make your Cloudflare integration dreams come true!

Introduction

Cloudflare integrations are a fantastic way to extend the functionality of your apps and services. But let's face it, without a secure authorization flow, your integration is about as useful as a chocolate teapot. So, let's get that auth flow nailed down and make your integration shine!

Prerequisites

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

A Cloudflare account (duh!)
API tokens at the ready
Node.js installed on your machine
A basic understanding of OAuth 2.0 (don't worry, we'll refresh your memory)

Setting up the project

First things first, let's get our project off the ground:

mkdir cloudflare-integration
cd cloudflare-integration
npm init -y
npm install express axios

Great! Now we've got a solid foundation to build upon.

Configuring Cloudflare API

Head over to your Cloudflare dashboard and create an API token. While you're there, grab your client ID and client secret. These are your golden tickets to the Cloudflare API wonderland.

Implementing the authorization flow

Let's kick things off by creating the authorization URL:

const authUrl = `https://dash.cloudflare.com/oauth2/auth?client_id=${clientId}&redirect_uri=${redirectUri}&response_type=code&state=${state}`;

Pro tip: Don't forget to generate a unique state parameter. It's like a secret handshake between you and Cloudflare.

Step 2: Handling the callback

When Cloudflare redirects back to your app, grab that authorization code:

app.get('/callback', (req, res) => {
  const { code, state } = req.query;
  // Verify state parameter here
  // Then proceed to exchange the code for an access token
});

Step 3: Exchanging the code for an access token

Time to trade in that code for the real prize - an access token:

const tokenResponse = await axios.post('https://api.cloudflare.com/client/v4/user/tokens/verify', {
  grant_type: 'authorization_code',
  code,
  client_id: clientId,
  client_secret: clientSecret,
  redirect_uri: redirectUri
});

const { access_token } = tokenResponse.data;

Using the access token

Now that you've got your shiny new access token, put it to good use:

const apiResponse = await axios.get('https://api.cloudflare.com/client/v4/user/tokens/verify', {
  headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${access_token}` }
});

Error handling and edge cases

Remember, not everything always goes according to plan. Be prepared for:

Invalid tokens (oops!)
Expired tokens (time flies!)
Users changing their minds and denying permission (it's not you, it's them)

Security considerations

Security isn't just a buzzword, it's your new best friend. Always use HTTPS, store tokens securely, and limit your scopes. Your users will thank you!

Testing the integration

Before you unleash your creation on the world, give it a thorough test drive. Set up a mock environment and simulate the auth flow. Trust me, your future self will be grateful.

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a robust authorization flow for your Cloudflare integration. Pat yourself on the back, you coding wizard!

Remember, this is just the beginning. There's a whole world of Cloudflare API endpoints waiting for you to explore. So go forth and integrate!

Additional resources

Still hungry for more? Check out:

Happy coding, and may your integrations be ever secure and performant!