Step by Step Guide to Building a Harvest API Integration in JS

Introduction

Hey there, fellow code wrangler! Ready to dive into the world of time tracking with Harvest? You're in for a treat. We're going to build a slick Harvest API integration using JavaScript. Buckle up!

Prerequisites

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

• A Harvest account (duh!)
• API credentials (grab 'em from your Harvest dashboard)
• Node.js and npm installed (you're a pro, so I'm sure you've got this covered)

Project Setup

Let's get this party started:

mkdir harvest-integration && cd harvest-integration
npm init -y
npm install axios dotenv

Authentication

Harvest uses OAuth 2.0. Let's set it up:

const axios = require('axios');
require('dotenv').config();

const harvestApi = axios.create({
  baseURL: 'https://api.harvestapp.com/v2',
  headers: {
    'Authorization': `Bearer ${process.env.HARVEST_ACCESS_TOKEN}`,
    'Harvest-Account-ID': process.env.HARVEST_ACCOUNT_ID
  }
});

Pro tip: Store your tokens in a .env file. Your future self will thank you.

Making API Requests

Now for the fun part. Let's fetch some time entries:

async function getTimeEntries() {
  try {
    const response = await harvestApi.get('/time_entries');
    return response.data;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error fetching time entries:', error);
  }
}

Core API Integrations

Here's how to create a new time entry:

async function createTimeEntry(projectId, taskId, hours) {
  try {
    const response = await harvestApi.post('/time_entries', {
      project_id: projectId,
      task_id: taskId,
      hours: hours
    });
    return response.data;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error creating time entry:', error);
  }
}

Error Handling and Rate Limiting

Harvest has rate limits, so let's play nice:

const rateLimit = require('axios-rate-limit');

const harvestApi = rateLimit(axios.create({
  // ... previous config
}), { maxRequests: 100, perMilliseconds: 15 * 60 * 1000 });

Data Processing and Storage

Parse and store your data however you like. Here's a quick example using a local JSON file:

const fs = require('fs').promises;

async function storeTimeEntries(entries) {
  await fs.writeFile('timeEntries.json', JSON.stringify(entries, null, 2));
}

Testing

Don't forget to test! Here's a quick Jest test to get you started:

test('fetches time entries', async () => {
  const entries = await getTimeEntries();
  expect(entries).toBeDefined();
  expect(Array.isArray(entries.time_entries)).toBe(true);
});

Deployment Considerations

When deploying, remember:

• Use environment variables for sensitive info
• Keep your API keys secret (no committing to public repos!)

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a Harvest API integration that would make any time-tracking enthusiast proud. Remember, the Harvest API docs are your friend for more advanced features. Now go forth and track time like a boss!

Happy coding! 🚀