evernote-local-dev-loop

What this skill does

# Evernote Local Dev Loop

## Overview

Configure an efficient local development environment for Evernote API integration with sandbox testing, hot reload, ENML helpers, and a local Express server for OAuth testing.

## Prerequisites

- Completed `evernote-install-auth` setup
- Node.js 18+ or Python 3.10+
- Evernote sandbox account at

## Instructions

### Step 1: Project Structure

Organize your project with clear separation of concerns:

```
evernote-app/
  src/
    services/       # NoteService, SearchService, etc.
    utils/          # ENML helpers, query builder
    middleware/     # Auth, rate limiting
  test/             # Unit and integration tests
  scripts/          # Dev utilities (test-connection, seed-data)
  .env.development  # Sandbox credentials
  .env.production   # Production credentials (gitignored)
```

### Step 2: Environment Configuration

Create `.env.development` with sandbox credentials. Use a Developer Token for quick iteration (skip OAuth during development). Add `.env*` to `.gitignore`.

```bash
# .env.development
EVERNOTE_CONSUMER_KEY=your-sandbox-key
EVERNOTE_CONSUMER_SECRET=your-sandbox-secret
EVERNOTE_DEV_TOKEN=your-developer-token
EVERNOTE_SANDBOX=true
NODE_ENV=development
PORT=3000
```

### Step 3: Evernote Client Wrapper

Create a client factory that switches between Developer Token (for scripts and tests) and OAuth (for the web app) based on environment configuration.

```javascript
function createClient() {
  if (process.env.EVERNOTE_DEV_TOKEN) {
    return new Evernote.Client({
      token: process.env.EVERNOTE_DEV_TOKEN,
      sandbox: true
    });
  }
  return new Evernote.Client({
    consumerKey: process.env.EVERNOTE_CONSUMER_KEY,
    consumerSecret: process.env.EVERNOTE_CONSUMER_SECRET,
    sandbox: process.env.EVERNOTE_SANDBOX === 'true'
  });
}
```

### Step 4: ENML Utility Helpers

Build helper functions: `wrapInENML(html)`, `textToENML(text)`, `htmlToENML(html)` (strip forbidden elements), and `validateENML(content)`. These prevent `BAD_DATA_FORMAT` errors during development.

### Step 5: Express Server with OAuth

Set up a local Express server with session management for OAuth flow testing. Include routes for `/auth/start` (get request token), `/auth/callback` (exchange for access token), and `/dashboard` (authenticated operations).

### Step 6: Quick Test Script

Create a `scripts/test-connection.js` that verifies SDK setup by calling `userStore.getUser()` and `noteStore.listNotebooks()`. Run with `node scripts/test-connection.js`.

For the full project setup, Express server, ENML utilities, and test scripts, see [Implementation Guide](references/implementation-guide.md).

## Output

- Project structure with services, utils, and middleware directories
- Environment configuration for sandbox and production
- Client factory with Developer Token and OAuth support
- ENML utility library (wrap, convert, validate)
- Express server with OAuth flow for local testing
- Connection test script for quick verification

## Error Handling

| Error | Cause | Solution |
|-------|-------|----------|
| `EVERNOTE_DEV_TOKEN not set` | Missing dev token | Get from `sandbox.evernote.com/api/DeveloperToken.action` |
| `Invalid consumer key` | Wrong sandbox vs production key | Verify `EVERNOTE_SANDBOX` matches your key type |
| `Session undefined` | Missing express-session middleware | Install and configure `express-session` |
| Port already in use | Another process on port 3000 | Change `PORT` in `.env` or kill the process |

## Resources

- Sandbox Environment
- [Developer Tokens](https://dev.evernote.com/doc/articles/dev_tokens.php)
- [OAuth Guide](https://dev.evernote.com/doc/articles/authentication.php)

## Next Steps

Proceed to `evernote-sdk-patterns` for advanced SDK usage patterns.

## Examples

**Quick sandbox test**: Set `EVERNOTE_DEV_TOKEN`, run `node scripts/test-connection.js` to verify authentication, then create a test note using the Developer Token shortcut.

**Full OAuth loop**: Start the Express server, navigate to `http://localhost:3000/auth/start`, complete the Evernote authorization, and verify the access token is stored in the session.