Step by Step Guide to Building a SignRequest API Integration in JS

Introduction

Hey there, fellow code wrangler! Ready to add some digital signature magic to your JavaScript project? Let's dive into the world of SignRequest API integration. This nifty tool will let you send, sign, and manage documents with ease. Buckle up!

Prerequisites

Before we hit the ground running, make sure you've got:

• A SignRequest account with an API key (if you don't have one, go grab it!)
• Node.js and npm installed on your machine
• A solid grasp of JavaScript and REST APIs (but you knew that already, right?)

Setting up the project

Let's get this show on the road:

mkdir signrequest-integration
cd signrequest-integration
npm init -y
npm install axios dotenv

Authentication

First things first, let's get you authenticated:

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

const apiKey = process.env.SIGNREQUEST_API_KEY;
const apiClient = axios.create({
  baseURL: 'https://signrequest.com/api/v1/',
  headers: { 'Authorization': `Token ${apiKey}` }
});

Core API Integration Steps

Creating a document

Time to create your first document:

async function createDocument(fileUrl) {
  try {
    const response = await apiClient.post('documents/', { file_from_url: fileUrl });
    return response.data;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error creating document:', error);
  }
}

Adding signers

Let's add some John Hancocks to the mix:

async function addSigners(documentId, signers) {
  try {
    const response = await apiClient.post(`signrequests/`, {
      document: documentId,
      signers: signers
    });
    return response.data;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error adding signers:', error);
  }
}

Sending the signature request

Fire away that signature request:

async function sendSignatureRequest(signRequestId) {
  try {
    const response = await apiClient.post(`signrequests/${signRequestId}/send_signrequest_email/`);
    return response.data;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error sending signature request:', error);
  }
}

Checking the status of a signature request

Keep tabs on your signature requests:

async function checkSignatureStatus(signRequestId) {
  try {
    const response = await apiClient.get(`signrequests/${signRequestId}/`);
    return response.data.status;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error checking signature status:', error);
  }
}

Handling Webhooks

Stay in the loop with webhooks:

const express = require('express');
const app = express();

app.post('/webhook', express.json(), (req, res) => {
  const event = req.body;
  console.log('Received webhook event:', event);
  // Process the event here
  res.sendStatus(200);
});

app.listen(3000, () => console.log('Webhook server running on port 3000'));

Error Handling and Best Practices

Keep your code robust:

• Always use try/catch blocks for API calls
• Implement exponential backoff for rate limiting
• Log errors comprehensively for easier debugging

Testing the Integration

Test like you mean it:

const { expect } = require('chai');

describe('SignRequest Integration', () => {
  it('should create a document', async () => {
    const document = await createDocument('https://example.com/document.pdf');
    expect(document).to.have.property('id');
  });
  // Add more tests here
});

Deployment Considerations

When you're ready to ship:

• Use environment variables for API keys
• Implement proper error handling and logging
• Consider using a queue system for high-volume requests

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just turbocharged your app with SignRequest's digital signature capabilities. Remember, this is just scratching the surface – there's a whole world of features waiting for you in the SignRequest API docs.

Now go forth and sign all the things! Happy coding! 🚀✍️