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API design principles and decision-making. REST vs GraphQL vs tRPC selection, response formats, versioning, pagination.
name: api-patterns description: "API design principles and decision-making. REST vs GraphQL vs tRPC selection, response formats, versioning, pagination." risk: unknown source: community date_added: "2026-02-27"
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> |
When to Use
This skill is applicable to execute the workflow or actions described in the overview.
Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.
