API Specification Outline

1. Overview

Provide a high-level summary of the API, its purpose, and key use cases.

Sample: The [YOUR COMPANY NAME] API allows developers to integrate with our system to automate key processes such as data retrieval, submission, and management. This API supports JSON-based data and RESTful operations.

2. Authentication

Describe the authentication mechanism required to access the API.

Sample: The API uses OAuth 2.0 for authentication. To access the API, developers must obtain a token by providing valid client credentials.

3. Base URL

Specify the API’s base URL and environment (e.g., sandbox, production).

Sample:

• Production: https://api.yourcompanyname.com/v1

• Sandbox: https://sandbox.api.yourcompanyname.com/v1

4. Endpoints

Detail the available API endpoints, their methods, and the operations they perform.

4.1. GET /users

Fetch a list of users from the system.

• Method: GET

• URL: /users

• Response:

  • { "id": "12345", "name": "John Doe", "email": "johndoe@example.com" }

4.2. POST /users

Create a new user.

• Method: POST

• URL: /users

• Body:

  • { "name": "Jane Doe", "email": "janedoe@example.com" }

5. Request and Response Formats

Define the format of requests and responses, including headers, body parameters, and status codes.

Sample:

• Request Format: JSON

• Response Format: JSON

• Response Codes:

  • 200 OK – Success

  • 400 Bad Request – Invalid input

6. Rate Limits

Provide information about rate limiting policies, including limits and time windows.

Sample: Each API key allows 500 requests per minute. Exceeding this limit will result in a 429 Too Many Requests response.

7. Error Handling

List the common errors, their status codes, and descriptions.

Sample:

• 401 Unauthorized: Invalid or expired token.

• 404 Not Found: The requested resource does not exist.

8. Versioning

Explain how API versioning is handled and how developers can specify the API version they want to use.

Sample: The API uses URL versioning. To specify a version, use the format /v1/ in the endpoint URL.

9. Security and Data Privacy

Describe security protocols, such as encryption or data privacy measures, relevant to the API.

Sample: All data transmitted between clients and the API is encrypted using TLS 1.3. The API complies with data privacy regulations such as GDPR and CCPA.

10. Use Cases

Provide some common scenarios where the API would be used.

Sample:

• Automating user management in a SaaS application.

• Integrating customer data from [YOUR COMPANY NAME]'s system into a CRM.

Technical Specification Templates @ Template.net