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

Hey there, fellow JavaScript enthusiast! Ready to dive into the world of Heroku integrations? Let's focus on the most crucial part: building a rock-solid auth flow. Buckle up, because we're about to make your integration secure and user-friendly in no time.

Introduction

Heroku integrations are a fantastic way to extend the platform's functionality. But let's face it, without a proper auth flow, your integration is about as useful as a chocolate teapot. We're going to fix that today.

Prerequisites

I'm assuming you've got Node.js and Express.js set up and ready to go. If not, take a quick detour and get those sorted. Oh, and grab the Heroku API client library while you're at it. Trust me, it'll make your life a whole lot easier.

Setting up the Integration

First things first, head over to Heroku and create an OAuth client. It's like getting the keys to the kingdom, but don't let it go to your head.

const HEROKU_CLIENT_ID = process.env.HEROKU_CLIENT_ID;
const HEROKU_CLIENT_SECRET = process.env.HEROKU_CLIENT_SECRET;

Stash these in your environment variables. Seriously, don't hardcode them. Your future self will thank you.

Implementing the Auth Flow

Now for the fun part! Let's break this down into bite-sized chunks:

Initiating the OAuth process

const authUrl = `https://id.heroku.com/oauth/authorize?client_id=${HEROKU_CLIENT_ID}&response_type=code&scope=read`;
res.redirect(authUrl);

This is like asking Heroku, "Hey, can I come in?" Heroku then asks the user, "Should I let this app in?"

Handling the callback

app.get('/callback', async (req, res) => {
  const { code } = req.query;
  const tokenResponse = await exchangeCodeForToken(code);
  // Store tokenResponse.access_token and tokenResponse.refresh_token securely
});

async function exchangeCodeForToken(code) {
  // Use your favorite HTTP client to POST to Heroku's token endpoint
  // Return the parsed JSON response
}

Heroku's saying, "Alright, here's your temporary pass. Now go get your real credentials."

Making Authenticated Requests

Got your access token? Great! Now you can strut your stuff:

const heroku = new Heroku({ token: accessToken });
const apps = await heroku.get('/apps');

But remember, these tokens don't last forever. Be ready to refresh when needed.

Best Practices

• Implement PKCE. It's like two-factor auth for your auth flow.
• Use a state parameter to prevent CSRF attacks. Think of it as your integration's bouncer.
• Store client secrets securely. Treat them like your deepest, darkest secrets.

Error Handling and Edge Cases

Always be prepared for the worst. Users might deny access, tokens could expire, or Heroku might be having a bad day. Handle these gracefully, and your users will love you for it.

Testing the Auth Flow

Set up a test environment and mock those Heroku API responses. It's like practicing your dance moves before hitting the club – you'll be glad you did.

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a secure, user-friendly auth flow for your Heroku integration. Pat yourself on the back, you've earned it.

Remember, this is just the beginning. There's always room to improve and expand your integration. Keep learning, keep coding, and most importantly, keep having fun with it!

Additional Resources

• Heroku OAuth documentation
• node-heroku-client npm package

Now go forth and integrate! Your users are waiting for the awesome tools you're about to build. You've got this! 🚀