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

Hey there, fellow developers! Ready to dive into the exciting world of Productboard integrations? Today, we're going to tackle one of the most crucial aspects of building a public integration: the authorization flow. Don't worry, it's not as daunting as it sounds, and I'll guide you through every step of the way.

Introduction

Building a Productboard integration can be a game-changer for your product management workflow. But before we can start pulling in those juicy insights, we need to set up a rock-solid auth flow. This is the gateway that allows users to securely connect their Productboard account to your integration. It's like the bouncer at an exclusive club – we want to make sure only the right people get in!

Prerequisites

Before we roll up our sleeves, make sure you've got these basics covered:

• A good grasp of the Productboard API (you've read the docs, right?)
• Your Productboard Client ID and Client Secret (keep these safe!)
• A comfy JavaScript development environment

Got all that? Great! Let's get this party started.

Auth Flow Overview

We'll be implementing the OAuth 2.0 authorization code flow. It sounds fancy, but it's just a secure way for users to grant your integration access to their Productboard data without sharing their credentials. Here's the high-level process:

1. Your app redirects the user to Productboard
2. User logs in and approves your app
3. Productboard sends a code back to your app
4. Your app exchanges this code for an access token
5. You use this token to make API requests

Simple, right? Now, let's break it down step-by-step.

Implementing the Auth Flow

Initiating the Auth Request

First things first, we need to send the user to Productboard's authorization page. Here's how you can construct the URL:

const authUrl = `https://api.productboard.com/oauth/authorize?client_id=${YOUR_CLIENT_ID}&redirect_uri=${REDIRECT_URI}&response_type=code`;

Now, redirect your user to this URL. They'll log in to Productboard and choose whether to grant your app access.

Handling the Callback

Once the user approves your app, Productboard will redirect them back to your REDIRECT_URI with a special code. You'll need to set up an endpoint to catch this:

app.get('/callback', (req, res) => {
  const { code, error } = req.query;
  
  if (error) {
    // Uh-oh, something went wrong. Handle the error.
    console.error('Auth error:', error);
    return res.status(400).send('Authentication failed');
  }
  
  // Success! Now let's exchange this code for an access token
  exchangeCodeForToken(code);
});

Exchanging the Code for Access Token

Now for the fun part – turning that code into an access token:

async function exchangeCodeForToken(code) {
  const response = await fetch('https://api.productboard.com/oauth/token', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: {
      'Content-Type': 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded',
    },
    body: new URLSearchParams({
      grant_type: 'authorization_code',
      code,
      client_id: YOUR_CLIENT_ID,
      client_secret: YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET,
      redirect_uri: REDIRECT_URI,
    }),
  });

  const data = await response.json();
  // Store these tokens securely!
  const { access_token, refresh_token } = data;
}

Storing and Managing Tokens

You've got the tokens – now keep them safe! Store them securely (never in plain text) and remember to refresh them when they expire. A good practice is to use environment variables or a secure key management system.

Best Practices

To level up your auth flow, consider implementing these pro tips:

• Use PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange) for added security
• Include a state parameter to prevent CSRF attacks
• Implement robust error handling and provide clear feedback to users

Testing the Auth Flow

Before you pop the champagne, make sure to thoroughly test your auth flow:

1. Try the happy path (everything works perfectly)
2. Test error scenarios (user denies access, network issues, etc.)
3. Verify token refresh functionality

Consider setting up automated tests to catch any future regressions.

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a secure auth flow for your Productboard integration. Pat yourself on the back – you're one step closer to unlocking the full potential of your product management process.

Remember, this is just the beginning. With your auth flow in place, you're now ready to start making API calls and building out the core functionality of your integration. The sky's the limit!

Additional Resources

Want to dive deeper? Check out these resources:

• Productboard API Documentation
• OAuth 2.0 Specification

Happy coding, and may your integration be ever awesome!