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

Hey there, fellow JavaScript enthusiast! Ready to dive into the world of SamCart integrations? Let's roll up our sleeves and build a rock-solid authorization flow that'll make your integration shine. We'll keep things concise and focused, so you can get up and running in no time.

Introduction

SamCart's a powerhouse for e-commerce, and integrating it into your app can open up a world of possibilities. But before we can start playing with carts and products, we need to nail down a secure authorization flow. Trust me, it's the foundation that'll make everything else a breeze.

Prerequisites

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

• A SamCart Developer account (if you don't have one, go grab it!)
• Node.js and Express.js set up on your machine
• A solid grasp of OAuth 2.0 (don't worry, we'll refresh your memory as we go)

Setting up the project

Let's get our project off the ground:

mkdir samcart-integration
cd samcart-integration
npm init -y
npm install express axios dotenv

Configuring SamCart API credentials

Head over to your SamCart Developer dashboard and snag your Client ID and Client Secret. Also, set up a redirect URI – this is where SamCart will send your users after they authorize your app. Something like http://localhost:3000/callback will do for now.

Create a .env file in your project root and add these:

SAMCART_CLIENT_ID=your_client_id
SAMCART_CLIENT_SECRET=your_client_secret
REDIRECT_URI=http://localhost:3000/callback

Implementing the authorization flow

Now for the fun part! Let's build out our auth flow:

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

const authorizationUrl = `https://api.samcart.com/auth/authorize?client_id=${process.env.SAMCART_CLIENT_ID}&redirect_uri=${encodeURIComponent(process.env.REDIRECT_URI)}&response_type=code`;

app.get('/auth', (req, res) => {
  res.redirect(authorizationUrl);
});

app.get('/callback', async (req, res) => {
  const { code } = req.query;
  
  try {
    const tokenResponse = await axios.post('https://api.samcart.com/auth/token', {
      grant_type: 'authorization_code',
      code,
      client_id: process.env.SAMCART_CLIENT_ID,
      client_secret: process.env.SAMCART_CLIENT_SECRET,
      redirect_uri: process.env.REDIRECT_URI
    });

    const { access_token, refresh_token } = tokenResponse.data;
    // Store these tokens securely (more on this later)

    res.send('Authorization successful!');
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error exchanging code for token:', error);
    res.status(500).send('Authorization failed');
  }
});

app.listen(3000, () => console.log('Server running on http://localhost:3000'));

Refreshing access tokens

Access tokens don't last forever, so let's add a refresh mechanism:

async function refreshAccessToken(refresh_token) {
  try {
    const response = await axios.post('https://api.samcart.com/auth/token', {
      grant_type: 'refresh_token',
      refresh_token,
      client_id: process.env.SAMCART_CLIENT_ID,
      client_secret: process.env.SAMCART_CLIENT_SECRET
    });

    return response.data.access_token;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error refreshing token:', error);
    throw error;
  }
}

Making authenticated requests to SamCart API

With your shiny new access token, you're ready to make API calls:

async function getProducts(access_token) {
  try {
    const response = await axios.get('https://api.samcart.com/v1/products', {
      headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${access_token}` }
    });
    return response.data;
  } catch (error) {
    if (error.response && error.response.status === 401) {
      // Time to refresh that token!
      const new_token = await refreshAccessToken(refresh_token);
      // Retry the request with the new token
    }
    throw error;
  }
}

Error handling and edge cases

Always be prepared for the unexpected. Handle authorization errors gracefully, and don't forget about token revocation scenarios. Your users will thank you for the smooth experience.

Testing the integration

Before you pop the champagne, give your integration a thorough test. Set up a mock SamCart account, run through the auth flow, and make some API calls. Iron out any kinks you find – better now than in production!

Security considerations

Security isn't just a buzzword – it's crucial. Here are some quick tips:

• Always use HTTPS in production
• Implement the state parameter to prevent CSRF attacks
• Store tokens securely (consider encryption at rest)
• Never expose your Client Secret on the client-side

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a robust authorization flow for your SamCart integration. Pat yourself on the back – you've laid a solid foundation for some seriously cool e-commerce functionality.

Remember, this is just the beginning. With this auth flow in place, you can start exploring all the awesome features SamCart's API has to offer. The e-commerce world is your oyster!

Happy coding, and may your conversion rates always be high! 🚀💻🛒