Third-Party Integrations

The simplest integration that works is the best integration. If Zapier can do it, don't build a custom one. This skill helps you decide which integrations to build, how to build them simply, and how to handle the inevitable breakage.

Core Principles

• Build integrations your customers ask for, not ones you think are cool.
• The simplest integration that works is the best integration. Zapier before custom code.
• Every integration is a maintenance burden. Each one can break when the third party changes their API.
• Authentication is the hardest part. Get OAuth right or use pre-built libraries.
• Always handle the failure case. APIs go down. Webhooks get lost. Plan for it.

Integration Decision Framework

Build vs. Buy vs. Skip

Should I build this integration?