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

Hey there, fellow JavaScript enthusiast! Ready to dive into the world of Sendinblue integrations? Today, we're going to tackle the all-important authorization flow. Buckle up, because we're about to make your integration secure and user-friendly in no time.

Prerequisites

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

• A Sendinblue API key (you can't cook without ingredients, right?)
• Node.js and Express.js set up (your trusty kitchen tools)
• A basic understanding of OAuth 2.0 (think of it as the recipe we'll be following)

Setting up the OAuth 2.0 flow

First things first, let's get you registered with Sendinblue. Head over to their developer portal and create your application. You'll get a client ID and client secret – guard these with your life (or at least, very securely).

Implementing the authorization request

Now, let's construct that authorization URL. It'll look something like this:

const authUrl = `https://api.sendinblue.com/oauth2/authorize?response_type=code&client_id=${clientId}&redirect_uri=${redirectUri}`;

Send your users to this URL, and they'll be whisked away to Sendinblue's authorization page. Magic!

Handling the callback

Set up an endpoint to handle the redirect. It'll look something like this:

app.get('/callback', (req, res) => {
  const authCode = req.query.code;
  // Now, let's exchange this code for an access token
});

Exchanging the code for an access token

Time to trade in that code for something more valuable – an access token:

const response = await axios.post('https://api.sendinblue.com/oauth2/token', {
  grant_type: 'authorization_code',
  client_id: clientId,
  client_secret: clientSecret,
  code: authCode,
  redirect_uri: redirectUri
});

const accessToken = response.data.access_token;

Store this token securely. It's your golden ticket to the Sendinblue API!

Refreshing the access token

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

const refreshToken = async () => {
  const response = await axios.post('https://api.sendinblue.com/oauth2/token', {
    grant_type: 'refresh_token',
    client_id: clientId,
    client_secret: clientSecret,
    refresh_token: storedRefreshToken
  });

  return response.data.access_token;
};

Making authenticated API calls

Now you're ready to make some API calls:

const response = await axios.get('https://api.sendinblue.com/v3/contacts', {
  headers: { 'Authorization': `Bearer ${accessToken}` }
});

Error handling and edge cases

Always be prepared for things to go sideways. Implement proper error handling:

try {
  // Your API call here
} catch (error) {
  if (error.response && error.response.status === 401) {
    // Time to refresh that token!
  } else {
    // Handle other errors
  }
}

Security considerations

Remember, security is not a feature, it's a necessity. Never expose your client secret, and consider implementing PKCE for an extra layer of security.

Testing the integration

Before you pop the champagne, make sure to thoroughly test your integration. Set up a test environment and verify that your auth flow works flawlessly.

Conclusion

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

Remember, this is just the beginning. There's a whole world of Sendinblue APIs waiting for you to explore. So go forth and integrate, my friend. The email marketing world is your oyster!

Happy coding! 🚀