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rest-api-design

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RESTful API design principles, versioning, pagination, HATEOAS, and documentation.

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How to use this skill

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  3. Review the proposed files and risks before you approve installation.
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I want to install this Agent Skill for this project in Codex.

Source SKILL.md: https://github.com/a5c-ai/babysitter/blob/HEAD/library/specializations/web-development/skills/rest-api-design/SKILL.md

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Copying this prompt does not install or run the skill. Review third-party files before use. Codex skill guide

REST API Design Skill

Expert assistance for designing RESTful APIs following best practices.

Capabilities

  • Design resource-oriented APIs
  • Implement proper HTTP methods and status codes
  • Configure API versioning strategies
  • Implement pagination patterns
  • Design error responses
  • Apply HATEOAS principles

Usage

Invoke this skill when you need to:

  • Design new REST APIs
  • Review existing API design
  • Implement pagination
  • Define error handling
  • Version APIs

Design Principles

Resource Naming

# Good - nouns, plural
GET /api/users
GET /api/users/123
GET /api/users/123/posts

# Bad - verbs, actions in URL
GET /api/getUsers
GET /api/users/123/getPosts
POST /api/createUser

HTTP Methods

MethodUsageResponse
GETRead resource200 OK
POSTCreate resource201 Created
PUTReplace resource200 OK
PATCHPartial update200 OK
DELETERemove resource204 No Content

Pagination Response

{
  "data": [...],
  "meta": {
    "page": 1,
    "limit": 10,
    "total": 100,
    "totalPages": 10
  },
  "links": {
    "self": "/api/users?page=1",
    "next": "/api/users?page=2",
    "prev": null
  }
}

Error Response

{
  "error": {
    "code": "VALIDATION_ERROR",
    "message": "Validation failed",
    "details": [
      { "field": "email", "message": "Invalid email format" }
    ]
  }
}

Best Practices

  • Use proper HTTP status codes
  • Implement consistent error responses
  • Version APIs from the start
  • Document with OpenAPI

Target Processes

  • api-design
  • backend-development
  • microservices-architecture