api-design-principles

Design REST APIs with resource-oriented naming, HTTP methods, status codes, and versioning.

Updated Jan 23, 2026

Search Tags:#versioning #documentation #api-design #rest-api #status-codes #http-methods

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/alexsandrocruz/DominusLeads --skill api-design-principles-alexsandrocruz

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: api-design-principles
Source: https://github.com/alexsandrocruz/DominusLeads/tree/main/backend/Sapienza.Leads/.claude/skills/api-design-principles
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/alexsandrocruz/DominusLeads --skill api-design-principles-alexsandrocruz

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes assets (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps engineers design intuitive, scalable REST APIs by applying established design principles, reducing integration friction and maintenance overhead.

Core Features & Use Cases

Resource-oriented design: model API resources with clear nouns and predictable paths.
HTTP semantics & status codes: apply correct methods and codes to improve reliability and clarity.
Versioning & evolution: establish versioning strategies to support backward compatibility.
Documentation & standards: align OpenAPI docs and team standards for consistency.
Use Case: Imagine designing an API for a simple resource like /api/v1/patients, ensuring consistent responses and easy version upgrades.

Quick Start

Draft an API contract for a new resource using plural naming, validate methods and status codes, and prepare a versioned OpenAPI snippet for the new endpoints.

Frequently Asked Questions about api-design-principles

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

FAQPage Schema

How do I design a REST API with correct HTTP methods and status codes?▼

Design a REST API by applying resource-oriented naming with clear nouns and predictable paths, enforcing correct HTTP methods and status codes to improve reliability and clarity across your service endpoints.

What is the best way to version a REST API for backward compatibility?▼

Versioning a REST API for backward compatibility requires establishing versioning strategies within your API contracts, such as using URI paths like /api/v1/, ensuring consistent responses and easy version upgrades during evolution.

How do I structure REST API resources for predictable and scalable paths?▼

Structure REST API resources by modeling them with clear nouns and predictable paths using plural naming conventions, reducing integration friction and maintenance overhead while ensuring intuitive API contracts.

Does REST API design require OpenAPI documentation for team standards?▼

REST API design requires aligning OpenAPI documentation and team standards to establish consistency, allowing you to prepare versioned OpenAPI snippets for new endpoints and validate specifications across teams.

When do I need to apply pagination patterns in REST API design?▼

Apply pagination patterns in REST API design when establishing API design standards and creating new API contracts, enforcing resource-oriented design to handle large datasets efficiently and reduce integration friction.