Reading and Writing Data Using the Tidio API

Hey there, fellow JavaScript wizards! Ready to dive into the world of Tidio API integration? Let's get our hands dirty with some code and learn how to sync data like pros.

Authentication: Your Key to the Kingdom

First things first, you'll need to grab your API keys from the Tidio dashboard. Once you've got those, let's set up authentication:

const axios = require('axios');

const tidioApi = axios.create({
  baseURL: 'https://api.tidio.co/v1',
  headers: {
    'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY_HERE'
  }
});

Reading Data: Fetch Like a Boss

Want to grab those conversations? Here's how:

async function getConversations() {
  try {
    const response = await tidioApi.get('/conversations');
    return response.data;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error fetching conversations:', error);
  }
}

Writing Data: Make Your Mark

Time to create a new conversation and send a message:

async function createConversation(visitorId, message) {
  try {
    const response = await tidioApi.post('/conversations', {
      visitor_id: visitorId,
      messages: [{ content: message }]
    });
    return response.data;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error creating conversation:', error);
  }
}

Syncing Data: Stay in the Loop

Let's implement real-time updates using webhooks:

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

app.post('/tidio-webhook', express.json(), (req, res) => {
  const event = req.body;
  // Handle the event based on its type
  switch (event.type) {
    case 'conversation_new':
      // Handle new conversation
      break;
    case 'message_new':
      // Handle new message
      break;
    // Add more cases as needed
  }
  res.sendStatus(200);
});

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

Error Handling and Rate Limiting: Play Nice

Always be prepared for errors and respect those rate limits:

async function apiCall(method, endpoint, data = null) {
  try {
    const response = await tidioApi({
      method,
      url: endpoint,
      data
    });
    return response.data;
  } catch (error) {
    if (error.response && error.response.status === 429) {
      // Rate limited, wait and retry
      await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 5000));
      return apiCall(method, endpoint, data);
    }
    throw error;
  }
}

Best Practices: Optimize Like a Pro

1. Cache frequently accessed data to reduce API calls.
2. Use batch operations when possible.
3. Implement exponential backoff for retries.

Advanced Topics: Level Up Your Game

Want to handle custom fields? Here's a quick snippet:

async function updateVisitorCustomFields(visitorId, customFields) {
  try {
    const response = await tidioApi.patch(`/visitors/${visitorId}`, {
      custom_fields: customFields
    });
    return response.data;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error updating custom fields:', error);
  }
}

Wrapping Up

There you have it, folks! You're now equipped to read, write, and sync data like a Tidio API ninja. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be afraid to experiment and push the boundaries of what you can do.

Keep coding, keep learning, and most importantly, have fun with it! If you need more info, check out the official Tidio API docs. Now go build something awesome!