If you’re looking to integrate with Planning Center’s API, you might be searching for an “API key.” Unlike Breeze however, Planning Center doesn’t actually use API keys to grant access. Instead, they use a more secure and flexible system called OAuth 2.0. Let’s explore how this works and how you can connect to the Planning Center API.
What Is the Planning Center API?
The Planning Center API is a powerful tool that allows developers to access and manage data from Planning Center’s suite of church management software. Whether you want to sync member data, create custom reports, or build new applications that interact with Planning Center, the API provides the capabilities you need. Especially if you’re a developer looking to create an application on top of Planning Center, their API is the way to do it.
Why Doesn’t Planning Center Use API Keys?
Traditional API keys are a simple way to grant access to an API, but they come with some significant limitations:
- Security Risks: API keys are often hard-coded into applications, making them vulnerable if the code is leaked.
- Limited Control: API keys usually grant broad access, making it difficult to control permissions or revoke access for specific users.
To address these issues, see what planning center uses below!
What does Planning Center Use for their API Authentication?
Planning Center uses OAuth 2.0 is an industry-standard protocol for authorization. It allows applications to access resources on behalf of a user without sharing sensitive credentials like passwords. Here’s how it works:
- Authorization Request: The user grants permission for your application to access their Planning Center data.
- Access Token Issued: Planning Center issues an access token, which your application uses to make API requests.
- Scoped Access: The access token specifies exactly what parts of the API your application can use, ensuring limited and secure access.
How to Connect to the Planning Center API
Here’s a step-by-step guide to connecting to the Planning Center API using OAuth 2.0:
1. Register Your Application
To start, you’ll need to register your application with Planning Center:
- Sign up via the Planning Center Developer Portal.
- Create a new application and provide details such as your application’s name, website, and redirect URI.
- Once registered, you’ll receive a client ID and client secret, which are used during the OAuth process.
2. Implement the Authorization Flow
Your application will need to implement the OAuth 2.0 authorization flow. This typically involves these steps:
- Redirect the user to Planning Center’s authorization page, where they log in and grant permission.
- After permission is granted, Planning Center redirects the user back to your application with an authorization code.
- Exchange the authorization code for an access token by making a POST request to Planning Center’s token endpoint, including your client ID, client secret, and redirect URI.
3. Use the Access Token
With the access token, you can make authenticated requests to the Planning Center API. Be sure to include the token in the Authorization header of your HTTP requests:
Authorization: Bearer YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN4. Refresh Tokens
Access tokens expire after a certain period. To maintain access, you can use the refresh token (provided during the initial exchange) to request a new access token without requiring the user to log in again.
Conclusion
While Planning Center doesn’t use traditional API keys, their implementation of OAuth 2.0 provides a secure and robust way to connect to their API. By understanding and implementing OAuth, you’ll be well-equipped to build powerful integrations with Planning Center’s tools.
For more details, check out the official Planning Center API documentation and explore the full range of capabilities their API offers.
