You can build Missive iFrame integrations without being a programmer by using AI coding assistants or low-code platforms. This guide covers how to use these tools for integration development.
Using AI Coding Assistants
AI tools like Cursor can write code for you. Treat the AI as a technical partner:
- Clearly define your integration's goal.
- Tell the AI which systems to connect (e.g., CRM, order database) and what data to show in Missive.
- Ask the AI about relevant APIs (like Missive's) and technical approaches.
- Provide context, like links to the Missive API documentation, so the AI understands the constraints.
- Develop iteratively: start simple and add features incrementally. The AI can write most code; you might adjust small things like styles.
- For new features, give the AI specific requirements and ask it to confirm its plan before coding.
You can copy and paste the following prompt template into your AI assistant to get started building your integration. Just replace the text within the brackets [] with your specific requirements:
Hello! I'd like your help building a Missive iFrame integration. My goal is to [Clearly state the main purpose of your integration. e.g., "display customer details from our CRM inside Missive" or "show recent order history"].
This integration will run in an iframe within the Missive sidebar, as described here: https://learn.missiveapp.com/api-documentation/iframe-integrations.
Key Requirements:
1. Trigger: The integration should react when a user selects a conversation in Missive. It needs to use the Missive JavaScript API (`Missive.on('change:conversations', ...)` and `Missive.fetchConversations(...)`) found here: https://learn.missiveapp.com/api-documentation/iframe-integrations-api.
2. Data Source: The necessary information comes from [Describe where the data originates. e.g., "a Google sheet document"].
3. Functionality: When triggered, the integration should [List the specific actions. e.g., "1. Extract the primary email address from the selected conversation. 2. Query the data source using that email. 3. Display the customer's name, status, and a link to their profile."]. If no relevant data is found or multiple conversations are selected, it should display a clear message like "No data found".
4. UI/Styling: Please generate standard HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The UI should be clean and simple. Use the official Missive stylesheet (https://integrations.missiveapp.com/missive.css) to ensure it matches the Missive look and feel across themes.
5. Interaction (Optional): [Add any specific interactions needed. e.g., "Include a button that uses `Missive.openURL` to open the customer's profile in a new tab." or "Allow adding a note using `Missive.comment`."]
6. Hosting & Security: The code needs to run in a browser iframe and will be hosted on a platform like Replit, Vercel, or Netlify, requiring HTTPS. For initial security, we can plan to use a simple secret token in the URL parameter, but focus on the frontend logic for now.
Process:
Before generating the full code, please:
* Outline the steps you'll take.
* List the files (HTML, CSS, JS) you propose to create.
* Ask any clarifying questions you have about the requirements or data sources.
* Confirm your understanding of the goal.
Do not write the full code implementation yet. Let's agree on the plan first.
Once the code is generated, you'll need to host it somewhere publicly accessible via HTTPS. Platforms like Replit, Vercel, or Netlify are great for easily deploying web applications and providing a URL for your Missive integration. If your integration also requires backend features like a database or authentication, platforms like Supabase could be suitable.
Watch this video for an example: Build a custom email integration using AI. The user guided the AI to build the integration, with the AI writing ~98% of the code.
Using Low-Code Platforms
Low-code platforms like Retool let you build tools with minimal coding.
- Connect your data sources (databases, APIs).
- Design the UI visually.
- Define the logic using short scripts or SQL queries to get data based on Missive context (e.g., email address, conversation ID).
- Embed the tool in Missive using the URL from the low-code platform.
For a detailed, step-by-step guide on connecting a Google Sheet to Missive using Retool, check out our Retool Integration Tutorial.
See how a user built a Retool integration to show order info in Missive: Pull order info into your inbox (using Retool). They linked Missive conversation IDs to their database (hosted on Supabase) to display relevant order details.
Security Considerations
Securing your integration is crucial, even when using AI or low-code tools, to protect sensitive data.
Here are common approaches:
- URL Secret Token: A straightforward method is to add a secret token to the integration URL you paste into Missive (e.g.,
https://your-app.com/integration?token=YOUR_SECRET_TOKEN). Your application (built by AI or low-code tools) must check for this exact token before showing data. Keep this token confidential. - Platform Authentication: Low-code platforms like Retool usually have their own user logins. Configure your low-code app to require login, which will also apply when it's viewed inside Missive.
- AI-Built Login: When using an AI assistant, you can instruct it to add a login step within the iframe. This is more complex to request but adds security.
- Use HTTPS: Always ensure your integration URL starts with
https://. The hosting platforms mentioned earlier (Replit, Vercel, Netlify, Supabase) and low-code tools like Retool generally enforce this.
Choose the method appropriate for your tool and data sensitivity. The URL Secret Token is often the simplest starting point.
Important: While these tools make building easier, they don't eliminate security risks. If your integration handles sensitive customer or business data, it's highly recommended to have a knowledgeable developer review your setup for potential security vulnerabilities before uploading it online.
Both methods require clear goals but make custom integrations possible without extensive programming knowledge.
