api-patterns
API design principles and decision-making. REST vs GraphQL vs tRPC selection, response formats, versioning, pagination.
Installation
Follow the repository instructions for this skill and your agent. Review the files and dependencies before adding it to your workflow.
View source ↗GuidesSkill instructions
API Patterns
API design principles and decision-making for 2025. Learn to THINK, not copy fixed patterns.
🎯 Selective Reading Rule
Read ONLY files relevant to the request! Check the content map, find what you need.
📑 Content Map
| File | Description | When to Read |
|---|---|---|
api-style.md |
REST vs GraphQL vs tRPC decision tree | Choosing API type |
rest.md |
Resource naming, HTTP methods, status codes | Designing REST API |
response.md |
Envelope pattern, error format, pagination | Response structure |
graphql.md |
Schema design, when to use, security | Considering GraphQL |
trpc.md |
TypeScript monorepo, type safety | TS fullstack projects |
versioning.md |
URI/Header/Query versioning | API evolution planning |
auth.md |
JWT, OAuth, Passkey, API Keys | Auth pattern selection |
rate-limiting.md |
Token bucket, sliding window | API protection |
documentation.md |
OpenAPI/Swagger best practices | Documentation |
security-testing.md |
OWASP API Top 10, auth/authz testing | Security audits |
🔗 Related Skills
| Need | Skill |
|---|---|
| API implementation | @[skills/backend-development] |
| Data structure | @[skills/database-design] |
| Security details | @[skills/security-hardening] |
✅ Decision Checklist
Before designing an API:
- Asked user about API consumers?
- Chosen API style for THIS context? (REST/GraphQL/tRPC)
- Defined consistent response format?
- Planned versioning strategy?
- Considered authentication needs?
- Planned rate limiting?
- Documentation approach defined?
❌ Anti-Patterns
DON'T:
- Default to REST for everything
- Use verbs in REST endpoints (/getUsers)
- Return inconsistent response formats
- Expose internal errors to clients
- Skip rate limiting
DO:
- Choose API style based on context
- Ask about client requirements
- Document thoroughly
- Use appropriate status codes
Script
| Script | Purpose | Command |
|---|---|---|
scripts/api_validator.py |
API endpoint validation | python scripts/api_validator.py <project_path> |
Examples
Read the usage examples in the source repository.
View source ↗Source history
- Indexed on
- 2026-01-20
- Index updated
- 2026-01-26
- Branch
- main
Index and sync dates describe this directory. View the source repository for code history.
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