The xero-api gem

Ruby client for the Xero API version 2.

Pure JSON-in / JSON-out. No XML support.
4 main methods: .get, .create, .update, and .delete.
No validation rules built into the gem. Validation comes from the API only.
Close to the metal experience.
First class logging.
Robust error handling.
Specs are built using real requests run directly against the Xero Demo Company. Thanks VCR.
Built leveraging Faraday.
Built knowing that OAuth2 might be in the not-to-distant future.

Sweet, How Can I Get Started Fast?

The fastest method is to start with this screencast.

Why another library when there are other more mature, established Ruby Xero libraries?

Both of the current de facto Ruby Xero client gems were built 6+ years ago when the Xero API was XML only, therefore, they are loaded with XML cruft. For example, here are the total code line counts (of .rb files):

Total LOC count of :
- minimul/xero-api => 910! 🌈
- waynerobinson/xeroizer => 6019
- xero-gateway/xero_gateway => 5545

Ruby >= 2.7.0 required

Current Limitations

Accounting API only.
Only Custom Connections and OAuth2 are supported.

Installation

Add this line to your application's Gemfile:

gem 'xero-api'

And then execute:

$ bundle

Or install it yourself as:

$ gem install xero-api

Initialize

  require 'oauth2'
  require 'xero/api'

  client = OAuth2::Client.new(ENV['XERO_OAUTH2_CLIENT_ID'), ENV['XERO_OAUTH2_CLIENT_SECRET'], token_url: 'https://identity.xero.com/connect/token' )
  client_credentials = client.client_credentials.get_token

  api = Xero::Api.new(access_token: client_credentials.token)

.get

Important

One queries the Xero API mostly using URL parameters so xero-api doesn't do a lot of "hand holding" and has the params argument enabling you to craft your queries as you see fit. Likewise, the path argument allows you to forge the URL path you desire. The params and path arguments are available on .create, .update, delete, and .upload_attachment as well.

  # Basic get - retrieves first 100 contacts
  resp = api.get(:contacts)
  # Retrieves all contacts - returns Enumerator so you can do cool stuff
  resp = api.get(:contacts, all: true)
  p resp.count #=> 109
  # Retrieves all contacts modified after a certain date
  resp = api.get(:items, all: true, modified_since: Time.utc(2014, 01, 01))
  # Retrieves only customers
  resp = api.get(:contacts, params: { where: 'IsCustomer=true' })
  # Retrieve by id
  resp = api.get(:contacts, id: '323-43fss-4234dfa-3432233')
  # Retrieve with custom path
  resp = api.get(:users, path: '3138017f-8ddc-420e-a159-e7e1cf9e643d/History')

See all the arguments for the .get method.

.create

  payload = {
      "Type": "ACCREC",
      "Contact": {
        "ContactID": "f477ad8d-44f2-4bb7-a99b-04f28681e849"
      },
      "DateString": api.standard_date(Time.utc(2009, 05, 27)),
      "DueDateString": api.standard_date(Time.utc(2009, 06, 06)),
      "LineAmountTypes": "Exclusive",
      "LineItems": [
        {
          "Description": "Consulting services as agreed (20% off standard rate)",
          "Quantity": "10",
          "UnitAmount": "100.00",
          "AccountCode": "200",
          "DiscountRate": "20"
        }
      ]
  }
  response = api.create(:invoice, payload: payload)
  inv_num = response.dig("Invoices", 0, "InvoiceNumber")
  p inv_num #=> 'INV-0041'

bulk .create

  payload = { "Contacts": [] }
  60.times do
    payload[:Contacts] << { "Name": Faker::Name.unique.name, "IsCustomer": true }
  end
  resp = api.create(:contacts, payload: payload, params: { summarizeErrors: false })
  p resp.dig("Contacts").size #=> 60

See all the arguments for the .create method.

.update

  payload = {
    "InvoiceNumber": 'INV-0038',
    "Status": 'VOIDED'
  }
  response = api.update(:invoices, id: 'INV-0038', payload: payload)
  p response.dig("Invoices", 0, "Status") #=> VOIDED

See all the arguments for the .update method.

.delete

  api.delete(:items, id: "e1d100f5-a602-4f0e-94b7-dc12e97b9bc2")

See all the arguments for the .delete method.

Configuration options

- Logging:
```ruby
Xero::Api.log = true

To change logging target from $stdout e.g.

Xero::Api.logger = Rails.logger

Other stuff

.upload_attachment

  file_name = 'connect_xero_button_blue_2x.png'
  resp = api.upload_attachment(:invoices, id: '9eb7b996-4ac6-4cf8-8ee8-eb30d6e572e3',
                               file_name: file_name, content_type: 'image/png',
                               attachment: "#{__dir__}/../../../example/public/#{file_name}")

Respond to an error

  customer = { Name: 'Already Exists', EmailAddress: 'newone@already.com' }
  begin
    response = api.create(:contacts, payload: customer)
  rescue Xero::Api::BadRequest => e
    if e.message =~ /already exists/
      # Query for Id using Name
      resp = api.get(:contacts, params: { where: "Name='Already Exists'" })
      # Do an update instead
      up_resp = api.update(:contacts, id: resp["Id"], payload: payload)
    end
  end

Spin up an example

THIS SECTION NEEDS TO BE UPDATED TO OAUTH2

Follow and do all in Step 1 from the Getting Started Guide.
git clone git://github.com/minimul/xero-api && cd xero-api
bundle
Create a .env file
cp .env.example_app.oauth2 .env
Start up the example app => ruby example/oauth.rb
In browser go to http://localhost:9393.
Use the Connect to Xero button to connect to your Xero account.
After successfully connecting click on the displayed link => View All Customers
Checkout example/oauth.rb to see what is going on under the hood.

Important: In the /auth/xero/callback route there is code there that will automatically update your .env file.

Protip: Once your .env file is completely filled out you can use the console to play around

bin/console test
>> @xero_api.get :contacts, id: '5345-as543-4-afgafadsafsad-45334'

Contributing

Bug reports and pull requests are welcome on GitHub at https://github.com/minimul/xero-api.

Running the specs

git clone git://github.com/minimul/xero-api && cd xero-api
bundle
Create a .env file
- cp .env.example_app.oauth2 .env
bundle exec rake

Creating new specs or modifying existing spec that have been recorded using the VCR gem.

All specs that require interaction with the API must be recorded against the Xero Demo Company.

License

The gem is available as open source under the terms of the MIT License.

xero-api

Development

Runtime