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

Aug 2, 2024 • 6 minute read

Hey there, fellow JavaScript enthusiasts! Ready to dive into the world of GitHub integrations? Let's roll up our sleeves and build an auth flow that'll make your users feel like they're gliding through silk. We'll keep things concise, so buckle up!

Introduction

GitHub integrations are the secret sauce that makes developers' lives easier. But the key ingredient? A rock-solid authorization flow. We're talking about the difference between a sketchy back-alley deal and a secure, VIP access pass. Let's build the latter, shall we?

Prerequisites

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

A GitHub account with a registered OAuth App (you're a pro, so I know you've got this)
Node.js and Express.js set up and ready to rock

OAuth 2.0 Flow Overview

We're using the Authorization Code Grant type here. Think of it as a fancy handshake between your app and GitHub. Here's the quick rundown:

Your app redirects to GitHub
User authorizes your app
GitHub sends a code back to your app
Your app exchanges that code for an access token
Party time! (aka, make authenticated API calls)

Implementing the Auth Flow

Redirect to GitHub's authorization page

First things first, let's send your users to GitHub's authorization page:

const authUrl = `https://github.com/login/oauth/authorize?client_id=${CLIENT_ID}&redirect_uri=${REDIRECT_URI}&scope=repo,user`;
res.redirect(authUrl);

Handling the callback

GitHub's sending the user back with a shiny code. Let's grab it and trade it for an access token:

app.get('/callback', async (req, res) => {
  const { code } = req.query;
  const response = await axios.post('https://github.com/login/oauth/access_token', {
    client_id: CLIENT_ID,
    client_secret: CLIENT_SECRET,
    code,
  }, {
    headers: { Accept: 'application/json' }
  });
  const { access_token } = response.data;
  // Store this token securely!
});

Storing and managing tokens

Now, don't go leaving that access token lying around! Store it securely, perhaps in an encrypted database field. And if you're dealing with refresh tokens, set up a system to keep them fresh.

Making authenticated API requests

Time to put that token to work:

const response = await axios.get('https://api.github.com/user', {
  headers: {
    Authorization: `token ${access_token}`,
  },
});
console.log('Hello,', response.data.login);

Error handling and edge cases

Things don't always go smoothly, so be prepared:

Handle API rate limits gracefully
What if the user says "no thanks" to your authorization request?
Token expired? No problem, refresh it (if you're using refresh tokens)

Security considerations

Security isn't just a feature, it's your app's superhero cape:

Implement CSRF protection to prevent sneaky attacks
Never, ever store tokens in plain text. Encrypt, my friend!

Testing the integration

Manual testing is great, but automated tests are your new best friend. Set up some integration tests to ensure your auth flow is bulletproof.

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a slick GitHub integration with a secure auth flow. Your users can now connect with confidence, and you can sleep easy knowing you've done things the right way.

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

Additional resources

Want to dive deeper? Check out:

Now go build something awesome! 🚀