skills.rest
alissonpef
alissonpefCOMMUNITY
Explore all skills by this author →
WebsiteGitHub

api-and-interface-design

Design stable REST and GraphQL API contracts with consistent error semantics.

Updated Apr 21, 2026
Search Tags:#api#interfaces#validation#rest#graphql#pagination#contracts
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/alissonpef/copilot-agent-skills --skill api-and-interface-design-alissonpef
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: api-and-interface-design
Source: https://github.com/alissonpef/copilot-agent-skills/tree/main/.github/skills/api-and-interface-design
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/alissonpef/copilot-agent-skills --skill api-and-interface-design-alissonpef

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps you define stable public interfaces before implementation, reducing breaking changes, inconsistent behavior, and difficult-to-use contracts.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Contract-first design: Shape endpoints, module boundaries, and component props before coding.
  • Consistency rules: Standardize error handling, naming, pagination, validation, and update semantics across APIs.
  • Use Case: A team building a task management backend can use this Skill to design create, list, update, and delete endpoints with predictable inputs, outputs, and compatibility rules.

Quick Start

Use the api-and-interface-design skill to help me design a stable REST API for a task management service with consistent errors, pagination, and backward-compatible updates.

Frequently Asked Questions about api-and-interface-design

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I design a stable REST API that prevents breaking changes?▼

Design a stable REST API by defining contract-first interfaces, enforcing additive evolution, and standardizing error semantics. This approach shapes endpoints before coding to prevent breaking changes and ensure predictable, maintainable integrations across teams.

What is contract-first API design and when do I need it?▼

Contract-first API design means shaping endpoints, module boundaries, and component props before implementation. You need it to reduce inconsistent behavior and difficult-to-use contracts in software projects before development begins.

How do I standardize error handling and pagination across GraphQL and REST endpoints?▼

Standardize error handling and pagination across REST and GraphQL endpoints by applying consistent naming, boundary validation, and predictable update semantics. This ensures cross-team contracts remain uniform and easy to use.

Can I use this API design approach for module boundaries and component props, not just HTTP endpoints?▼

Yes, this API design approach applies to module boundaries, component props, and other cross-team contracts. It requires contract-first definitions and predictable naming to support maintainable integrations beyond just REST or GraphQL endpoints.

What's the best way to evolve an API contract without breaking existing integrations?▼

The best way to evolve an API contract without breaking integrations is through additive evolution. By adding new fields or endpoints without removing existing ones, you maintain backward compatibility while expanding functionality predictably.

Why does my API contract have inconsistent behavior across different endpoints?▼

Your API contract has inconsistent behavior because it lacks standardized error semantics, boundary validation, and predictable naming. Applying contract-first definitions and consistency rules across all endpoints resolves these integration issues.

Related Skills

Explore More Software Engineering Skills→
nicholasgriffintnnicholasgriffintn
2

backend-design

Plan backend systems, APIs, and data models with structured architecture decisions.

Community
Basic
lamb92009lamb92009

api-designer

Design REST and GraphQL APIs and generate OpenAPI 3.1 specifications.

Community
Advanced
vladm3105vladm3105
16

contract-tester

Validate API contracts and detect breaking changes across OpenAPI/AsyncAPI specifications.

Community
Advanced
oakossoakoss
14

openapi

Design, validate, and document RESTful APIs using OpenAPI 3.1.

Official
Intermediate