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

Hey there, fellow JavaScript enthusiast! Ready to dive into the world of Qwilr integrations? Today, we're going to tackle one of the most crucial parts of building a public integration: the authorization flow. Don't worry, it's not as daunting as it sounds. Let's roll up our sleeves and get started!

Prerequisites

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

• A Qwilr developer account (if you don't have one, go grab it!)
• A solid grasp on OAuth 2.0 (you're a pro, right?)
• Node.js and Express.js set up and ready to go

Setting up the project

First things first, let's create a new Qwilr app. Head over to your Qwilr developer dashboard and set up a new app. You'll get a client ID and client secret – treat these like your firstborn, they're precious!

Implementing the authorization flow

Initiating the auth request

Time to get the ball rolling! We need to construct the authorization URL and redirect our users to Qwilr's authorization page. Here's how:

const authUrl = `https://auth.qwilr.com/oauth/authorize?client_id=${clientId}&redirect_uri=${redirectUri}&response_type=code`;
res.redirect(authUrl);

Handling the callback

Now, set up an endpoint to handle the redirect URI. This is where Qwilr will send the user back with an authorization code:

app.get('/callback', (req, res) => {
  const code = req.query.code;
  // Now we've got the code, let's exchange it for an access token
});

Exchanging the code for access token

We've got the code, now let's swap it for an access token:

const tokenResponse = await axios.post('https://auth.qwilr.com/oauth/token', {
  grant_type: 'authorization_code',
  code,
  client_id: clientId,
  client_secret: clientSecret,
  redirect_uri: redirectUri
});

const accessToken = tokenResponse.data.access_token;
// Store this token securely!

Refreshing the access token

Tokens don't last forever, so let's implement a refresh mechanism:

const refreshToken = async () => {
  const refreshResponse = await axios.post('https://auth.qwilr.com/oauth/token', {
    grant_type: 'refresh_token',
    refresh_token: storedRefreshToken,
    client_id: clientId,
    client_secret: clientSecret
  });

  return refreshResponse.data.access_token;
};

Error handling and edge cases

Always be prepared for the unexpected! Handle authorization failures and user cancellations gracefully. A simple error handler can go a long way:

app.use((err, req, res, next) => {
  console.error(err.stack);
  res.status(500).send('Oops! Something went wrong.');
});

Testing the integration

Time to put our creation to the test! Verify the auth flow by going through the process and then try making an authenticated API call:

const qwilrResponse = await axios.get('https://api.qwilr.com/v1/user', {
  headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${accessToken}` }
});
console.log(qwilrResponse.data);

Best practices and security considerations

Remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Keep your client secrets safe and sound. Consider implementing PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange) for an extra layer of security.

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a rock-solid authorization flow for your Qwilr integration. Pat yourself on the back – you've earned it!

From here, the world is your oyster. Start building out the rest of your integration, add some fancy features, and make something awesome. Remember, the Qwilr community is always here if you need a hand. Now go forth and code!

Happy integrating!