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

Hey there, fellow JavaScript enthusiasts! Ready to dive into the world of Teachable integrations? Today, we're going to tackle one of the most crucial aspects of building a public integration: the 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 your Teachable API credentials handy and your development environment set up. If you're reading this, I'm assuming you're already comfortable with JavaScript and have some experience with API integrations. Perfect! Let's get started.

Understanding Teachable's OAuth 2.0 Flow

Teachable uses OAuth 2.0 for authentication, which is great news for us. It's a widely adopted protocol that's both secure and user-friendly. In a nutshell, we'll be redirecting users to Teachable's auth page, getting an authorization code, and then exchanging that code for an access token. Simple, right?

Implementing the Authorization Request

First things first, let's construct that authorization URL:

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

Now, when your user wants to connect their Teachable account, just redirect them to this URL. They'll be whisked away to Teachable's auth page faster than you can say "integration"!

Handling the Authorization Callback

Once the user grants permission, Teachable will redirect them back to your redirect_uri with an authorization code. Let's grab that code:

const urlParams = new URLSearchParams(window.location.search);
const authCode = urlParams.get('code');

if (!authCode) {
  console.error('Authorization denied');
  // Handle the error gracefully
}

Exchanging the Authorization Code for Access Token

Now for the fun part! Let's exchange that code for an access token:

async function getAccessToken(authCode) {
  const response = await fetch('https://teachable.com/oauth/token', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      client_id: YOUR_CLIENT_ID,
      client_secret: YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET,
      code: authCode,
      grant_type: 'authorization_code',
      redirect_uri: YOUR_REDIRECT_URI
    })
  });

  const data = await response.json();
  return data.access_token;
}

Remember to store that access token securely. It's your golden ticket to the Teachable API!

Refreshing the Access Token

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

async function refreshAccessToken(refreshToken) {
  // Similar to getAccessToken, but use grant_type: 'refresh_token'
  // and include the refresh_token in the request body
}

Pro tip: Set up a system to automatically refresh the token before it expires. Your future self will thank you!

Making Authenticated Requests to Teachable API

Now that we've got our access token, let's put it to use:

async function makeTeachableRequest(endpoint, method = 'GET', body = null) {
  const response = await fetch(`https://teachable.com/api/v1/${endpoint}`, {
    method,
    headers: {
      'Authorization': `Bearer ${accessToken}`,
      'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    },
    body: body ? JSON.stringify(body) : null
  });

  if (!response.ok) {
    // Handle authentication errors
    if (response.status === 401) {
      // Refresh token and retry
    }
  }

  return response.json();
}

Best Practices and Security Considerations

Security is key, folks! Here are some quick tips:

• Implement PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange) for added security.
• Store tokens securely, preferably server-side if possible.
• Implement rate limiting to avoid hitting API limits.
• Always handle errors gracefully. Your users will appreciate it!

Testing the Auth Flow

Before you ship it, test it! Here's a quick checklist:

1. Try the happy path (everything works).
2. Test error scenarios (denied permissions, network errors).
3. Verify token refresh works correctly.
4. Implement some automated tests for ongoing peace of mind.

Wrapping Up

And there you have it! You've just built a rock-solid auth flow for your Teachable integration. Pat yourself on the back – you've taken a big step towards creating a seamless user experience.

Remember, the auth flow is just the beginning. Now that you've got access to the Teachable API, the possibilities are endless. So go forth and build something awesome!

Happy coding, and may your integrations always be secure and your tokens never expire unexpectedly! 🚀