How to build a public Woodpecker.co integration: Building the Auth Flow

Aug 18, 2024 • 7 minute read

Hey there, fellow JavaScript enthusiasts! Ready to dive into the world of Woodpecker.co 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!

Setting the Stage

Before we jump in, let's quickly recap why we're here. Woodpecker.co is a powerful tool for cold email outreach, and by building a public integration, you're opening up a world of possibilities for your users. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility – and that's where our auth flow comes in.

What You'll Need

Alright, let's make sure you've got all your ducks in a row:

Woodpecker.co API credentials (if you don't have these yet, hop over to their developer portal)
A Node.js environment with Express.js set up (I'm assuming you're already comfortable with these)

Got everything? Great! Let's get this show on the road.

OAuth 2.0: Your New Best Friend

We'll be using OAuth 2.0 for our auth flow, specifically the authorization code grant. If you're not familiar with it, don't sweat it – think of it as a secure way for users to give your app permission to access their Woodpecker.co data without sharing their passwords.

Kicking Off the Auth Dance

First things first, we need to construct an authorization URL. This is where your users will go to start the auth process. Here's how it might look:

const authUrl = `https://app.woodpecker.co/oauth2/authorize?client_id=${YOUR_CLIENT_ID}&redirect_uri=${YOUR_REDIRECT_URI}&response_type=code`;

When a user clicks on this URL, they'll be whisked away to Woodpecker.co to grant permissions.

Handling the Callback

Once the user grants permission, Woodpecker.co will send them back to your redirect_uri with an authorization code. Let's set up a route to handle this:

app.get('/callback', async (req, res) => {
  const { code } = req.query;
  // We'll use this code in the next step
});

Trading Code for Tokens

Now comes the fun part – exchanging that code for an access token. Here's a quick example:

const tokenResponse = await axios.post('https://app.woodpecker.co/oauth2/token', {
  grant_type: 'authorization_code',
  code,
  client_id: YOUR_CLIENT_ID,
  client_secret: YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET,
  redirect_uri: YOUR_REDIRECT_URI
});

const { access_token, refresh_token } = tokenResponse.data;

Make sure to store these tokens securely – they're your golden tickets to the Woodpecker.co API!

Keeping Things Fresh

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

async function refreshAccessToken(refresh_token) {
  const response = await axios.post('https://app.woodpecker.co/oauth2/token', {
    grant_type: 'refresh_token',
    refresh_token,
    client_id: YOUR_CLIENT_ID,
    client_secret: YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET
  });

  return response.data.access_token;
}

Putting Your Token to Work

With your shiny new access token, you're ready to make authenticated requests to Woodpecker.co:

const response = await axios.get('https://api.woodpecker.co/rest/v1/campaigns', {
  headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${access_token}` }
});

Remember to handle any errors gracefully – nobody likes a crashy app!

Staying Safe Out There

Security is key, so don't forget:

Always use HTTPS
Implement the state parameter to prevent CSRF attacks
Store tokens securely (consider encryption for extra brownie points)

Taking It for a Spin

Before you ship it, give your auth flow a thorough test. Try the happy path, but also throw some curveballs at it – expired tokens, network errors, you name it.

Wrapping Up

And there you have it, folks! You've just built a rock-solid auth flow for your Woodpecker.co integration. Pat yourself on the back – you've taken a big step towards creating a powerful, secure integration that your users will love.

What's Next?

Now that you've got the auth flow down, the world is your oyster. Start exploring the Woodpecker.co API and see what cool features you can add to your integration. The sky's the limit!