Lovable and FutureLearn integration: Step-by-Step Guide 2025

 

Setting Up Dependencies in package.json

 

Since Lovable has no terminal, you need to manually add the required dependencies for FutureLearn integration. Open your existing package.json file in the project root and modify the "dependencies" section to include packages like axios (or any other HTTP client library) which will help you connect to FutureLearn's API. For example, add the following code snippet inside your "dependencies" object:

"dependencies": {
    "axios": "^1.4.0",
    // ... other existing dependencies
}

Make sure the version numbers match any needed versions for your project. Save the file after editing.

 

Creating the FutureLearn Service File

 

Next, create a new TypeScript file to handle FutureLearn API calls. In your project structure, create a folder called "services" inside your "src" directory (if it doesn’t already exist). Then, create a file named "futureLearnService.ts" in that folder.

Insert the following code into "futureLearnService.ts":

import axios from 'axios';

// Replace with the actual FutureLearn API URL
const FUTURELEARNAPIURL = 'https://api.futurelearn.com/v1';

export interface FutureLearnResponse {
    // Define the expected fields, for example:
    data: any;
}

export class FutureLearnService {
    private apiKey: string;

    constructor(apiKey: string) {
        this.apiKey = apiKey;
    }

    public async fetchData(endpoint: string): Promise<FutureLearnResponse> {
        try {
            const response = await axios.get(${FUTURELEARN_API_URL}/${endpoint}, {
                headers: {
                    'Authorization': Bearer ${this.apiKey},
                    'Content-Type': 'application/json'
                }
            });
            return { data: response.data };
        } catch (error) {
            // Log or handle error as needed
            throw error;
        }
    }
}

This file sets up a simple service to interact with FutureLearn’s API using axios. Adjust the API URL and the interface as needed.

 

Configuring FutureLearn API Key

 

Since there is no terminal to use environment variable utilities, you need to include the API key directly in a configuration file or directly in your code (make sure you understand the security implications). Create a new file called "futureLearnConfig.ts" in the "src" directory with the following content:

export const FUTURELEARNAPIKEY = 'YOURAPIKEY_HERE';
// Replace 'YOURAPIKEY_HERE' with your actual FutureLearn API key.

This file exports your API key. In a production setting, it is recommended to handle keys more securely.

 

Integrating FutureLearn Service in Your Main Code

 

Now integrate the FutureLearn service into the core logic of your Lovable project. Open your main TypeScript file (for example, "app.ts" or whichever file initializes your application logic) and add the following code snippet at the relevant location where you want to use FutureLearn services:

import { FutureLearnService } from './services/futureLearnService';
import { FUTURELEARNAPIKEY } from './futureLearnConfig';

// Initialize the service with the API key.
const futureLearnService = new FutureLearnService(FUTURELEARNAPIKEY);

// Example function to call FutureLearn's API endpoint.
async function loadFutureLearnData() {
    try {
        // Replace 'courses' with the appropriate endpoint from FutureLearn's API.
        const response = await futureLearnService.fetchData('courses');
        console.log('FutureLearn Data:', response.data);
    } catch (error) {
        console.error('Error fetching FutureLearn data:', error);
    }
}

// Call the function where appropriate in your project flow.
loadFutureLearnData();

This snippet imports your service and configuration, then initializes and uses the service to fetch data. Adjust the endpoint ('courses' in this case) according to the API you intend to call.

 

Updating the Build Process (If Required)

 

Review your Lovable project's build configuration (typically in a configuration file like tsconfig.json) to ensure the new "src/services" and "src/futureLearnConfig.ts" files are included and compiled. If your configuration limits file inclusions, add the following paths to the "include" array in tsconfig.json:

{
    "compilerOptions": {
        // Your existing options
    },
    "include": [
        "src/*/"
    ]
}

This inclusion ensures that all TypeScript files under the "src" folder are compiled.

 

Testing the Integration

 

To test the integration, save all the modified and new files. Run your Lovable project as usual. Check the console for the log output from the FutureLearn service. A successful call should print the FutureLearn API's response data. If errors occur, verify the API key and endpoint, and adjust error handling as needed.

By following these steps, you integrate FutureLearn into your Lovable project even without access to a terminal, using manual file modifications.