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

Hey there, fellow JavaScript enthusiast! Ready to dive into the world of Workflowy integrations? Let's roll up our sleeves and build an auth flow that'll make your integration shine. We'll keep things snappy and focus on what matters most.

The Lowdown

Workflowy's API is a goldmine for developers like us. But before we can tap into its potential, we need to nail the authorization process. It's not just about getting access; it's about doing it securely and efficiently.

Before We Start

Make sure you've got:

• A Workflowy Developer Account (if you don't have one, go grab it!)
• Node.js and npm installed (you're a JS dev, so I'm betting you're covered)
• A basic grasp of OAuth 2.0 (don't worry, we'll refresh your memory as we go)

Setting Up Shop

First things first, let's get our project off the ground:

mkdir workflowy-integration
cd workflowy-integration
npm init -y
npm install express axios dotenv

Environment Config

Create a .env file in your project root. This is where we'll stash our sensitive info:

WORKFLOWY_CLIENT_ID=your_client_id
WORKFLOWY_CLIENT_SECRET=your_client_secret
REDIRECT_URI=http://localhost:3000/callback

Remember, keep this file out of version control. Your future self will thank you.

The OAuth 2.0 Dance

Now for the main event. Let's break down the OAuth flow:

1. Create an authorization URL:

const authUrl = `https://workflowy.com/api/auth?client_id=${process.env.WORKFLOWY_CLIENT_ID}&redirect_uri=${encodeURIComponent(process.env.REDIRECT_URI)}&response_type=code`;

2. Set up your redirect endpoint:

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

3. Exchange the code for an access token:

const tokenResponse = await axios.post('https://workflowy.com/api/auth/token', {
  client_id: process.env.WORKFLOWY_CLIENT_ID,
  client_secret: process.env.WORKFLOWY_CLIENT_SECRET,
  code,
  grant_type: 'authorization_code',
  redirect_uri: process.env.REDIRECT_URI
});

const { access_token, refresh_token } = tokenResponse.data;

Token Management

Now that we've got our tokens, let's handle them with care:

// Store tokens securely (consider encryption for production)
const tokens = {
  access_token,
  refresh_token,
  expires_at: Date.now() + (tokenResponse.data.expires_in * 1000)
};

// Refresh token when needed
function refreshAccessToken() {
  // Implement token refresh logic here
}

Making API Calls

With our access token in hand, we're ready to rock:

const response = await axios.get('https://workflowy.com/api/endpoint', {
  headers: { 'Authorization': `Bearer ${tokens.access_token}` }
});

Handling the Rough Spots

Always be prepared for things to go sideways:

try {
  // Your API call here
} catch (error) {
  if (error.response && error.response.status === 401) {
    // Token expired, refresh and retry
  } else if (error.response && error.response.status === 429) {
    // Hit rate limit, back off and retry
  }
  // Handle other errors
}

Keeping It Secure

A few pro tips to keep your integration fortress-like:

• Always use HTTPS in production
• Store tokens securely, preferably encrypted
• Request only the scopes you need

Take It for a Spin

Before you ship it, give it a thorough test drive. Try some manual tests and consider setting up automated tests for the auth flow.

Wrapping Up

And there you have it! You've just built a rock-solid auth flow for your Workflowy integration. Pretty cool, right? From here, the sky's the limit. You could add more features, optimize performance, or even build a full-fledged Workflowy client.

Remember, the key to a great integration is a smooth user experience and rock-solid security. Keep iterating, keep learning, and most importantly, keep coding!

Now go forth and integrate with confidence. You've got this! 🚀