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Using No-Codex as a Secure Backend for React Applications

Table of Contents​

Introduction​

This guide demonstrates how to use No-Codex as a secure backend for web applications, specifically focusing on React.js integration. The tutorial shows how to implement authentication, make secure API calls, and manage user data through No-Codex's backend services.

Video Tutorial​

Use Cases​

  • Single Page Applications (SPA) requiring secure backend services
  • Applications needing user authentication
  • Projects requiring secure API endpoints
  • Data-driven applications with protected resources
  • Enterprise applications requiring OAuth/OpenID Connect integration

Prerequisites​

  • Basic understanding of React.js
  • No-Codex account and workspace
  • Node.js and npm installed
  • Basic understanding of authentication concepts

Quick Start Guide​

  1. Install OIDC-SPA library:
npm install oidc-spa

  1. Configure No-Codex workspace:

    • Enable API Security
    • Configure redirect URLs
    • Get issuer ID and client ID

  2. Implement authentication:

const oidc = await new OidcClient({
    issuer: 'YOUR_ISSUER_ID',
    clientId: 'YOUR_CLIENT_ID',
    homeUrl: 'http://localhost:3000/'
});

Detailed Implementation Steps​

1. Setting Up No-Codex Backend (Timestamp: 0:00-2:00)​

  1. Create data format with required fields
  2. Generate test data
  3. Create API endpoint
  4. Configure authentication settings

2. React Application Setup (Timestamp: 2:00-5:00)​

import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
import { OidcClient } from 'oidc-spa';

function App() {
    const [persons, setPersons] = useState([]);
    const [oidc, setOidc] = useState(null);

    // OIDC configuration
    useEffect(() => {
        const initOidc = async () => {
            const client = await new OidcClient({
                issuer: 'YOUR_ISSUER_ID',
                clientId: 'YOUR_CLIENT_ID',
                homeUrl: 'http://localhost:3000/'
            });
            setOidc(client);
        };
        initOidc();
    }, []);
}

3. Implementing Authentication (Timestamp: 5:00-10:00)​

const handleLogin = async () => {
    if (oidc) {
        await oidc.login({
            scopes: ['openid', 'profile', 'email']
        });
    }
};

4. Securing API Calls (Timestamp: 10:00-15:00)​

const fetchPersons = async () => {
    if (oidc && await oidc.isUserLoggedIn()) {
        const tokens = await oidc.getTokens();
        const response = await fetch('YOUR_API_ENDPOINT', {
            headers: {
                'Authorization': `Bearer ${tokens.accessToken}`
            }
        });
        if (response.ok) {
            const data = await response.json();
            setPersons(data.content);
        }
    }
};

Security Considerations​

  1. Redirect URLs

    • Configure proper redirect URLs in No-Codex workspace
    • Use HTTPS in production
    • Validate all redirect URLs

  2. Token Management

    • Never store tokens in localStorage
    • Implement proper token refresh mechanisms
    • Handle token expiration gracefully

  3. API Security

    • Enable authentication for all sensitive endpoints
    • Implement proper authorization rules
    • Use HTTPS for all API calls

References​

Last Updated: 2025-04-13