api-design-patterns

Development

RESTful API design patterns including URL structure, HTTP methods, and idempotency. Use when designing new API endpoints or reviewing API architecture. For existing projects, follow the project's established conventions instead.

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API Design Patterns

Core Principle

For new projects, enforce RESTful URL structure. For existing projects, follow the project's established API conventions.

RESTful URL Structure

GET    /api/resources              # List resources
GET    /api/resources/:id          # Get single resource
POST   /api/resources              # Create (server assigns ID)
PUT    /api/resources/:id          # Create or replace at specific ID
PATCH  /api/resources/:id          # Partial update
DELETE /api/resources/:id          # Delete resource

# Query parameters for filtering, sorting, pagination
GET /api/resources?status=active&sort=created_at&limit=20&offset=0

HTTP Methods and Idempotency

Method	Idempotent	Use Case
GET	Yes	Retrieve resource(s)
PUT	Yes	Create or replace at specific URI
PATCH	No*	Partial update
DELETE	Yes	Remove resource
POST	No	Non-idempotent operations

PUT vs POST

Common misconception: "POST = create, PUT = update" Reality: PUT can create, POST can do various things. The difference is idempotency.

PUT: Client specifies the ID. Idempotent (running twice = same result)
POST: Server assigns the ID. Non-idempotent (running twice = two resources)

Anti-Patterns

Anti-Pattern	Correct Approach
Verbs in URLs (`/getUser/123`)	Use HTTP methods (`GET /users/123`)
Ignoring idempotency	PUT for idempotent creates, POST for non-idempotent
Inconsistent pluralization	Always use plural nouns (`/users`, not `/user`)
Deeply nested resources (`/a/1/b/2/c/3`)	Flatten beyond 2 levels