skills.rest
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api-design-principles

Design RESTful and GraphQL APIs with schema-first development and DataLoaders.

1|Updated Nov 22, 2025
Search Tags:#schema design#api design#rest#developer experience#graphql#api best practices
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/Next-ofkin/birthday-automation --skill api-design-principles-next-ofkin
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: api-design-principles
Source: https://github.com/Next-ofkin/birthday-automation/tree/main/.agent/skills/api-design-principles
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Next-ofkin/birthday-automation --skill api-design-principles-next-ofkin

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

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

What problem does it solve?

This Skill provides comprehensive guidance and best practices for designing robust, scalable, and developer-friendly RESTful and GraphQL APIs, ensuring consistency and maintainability.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • RESTful Design: Learn resource-oriented architecture, HTTP method semantics, and common patterns like pagination, filtering, and HATEOAS.
  • GraphQL Design: Master schema design, resolver patterns, DataLoader for N+1 prevention, and mutation best practices.
  • Best Practices & Pitfalls: Understand versioning strategies, error handling, security, and common mistakes to avoid.
  • Use Case: When designing a new microservice API, use this Skill to ensure adherence to established REST principles for consistency across your organization.

Quick Start

Review the RESTful design principles and common patterns for designing a new user API.

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 RESTful API with proper resource-oriented architecture?▼

Designing a RESTful API involves structuring endpoints around resources and using standard HTTP method semantics for operations. This approach covers pagination, filtering, and HATEOAS patterns to ensure robust and consistent API interactions.

What's the best way to prevent the N+1 problem in GraphQL schema design?▼

Preventing the N+1 problem in GraphQL schema design is best achieved using DataLoaders for batch fetching. This resolver pattern consolidates database queries to optimize data fetching and improve API performance.

How does schema-first development work for building GraphQL APIs?▼

Schema-first development for GraphQL APIs works by defining your types and mutations before implementing resolvers. This methodology ensures a strong contract between client and server and guides the resolver patterns for data fetching.

What are the common pitfalls and best practices for API versioning and error handling?▼

Common API versioning and error handling pitfalls include inconsistent status codes and poor version management. Established best practices involve structured error responses and clear versioning strategies to maintain API reliability and developer experience.

Should I choose REST or GraphQL for my new microservice API design?▼

Choosing between REST and GraphQL for microservice API design depends on your data fetching needs. REST provides standardized resource-oriented endpoints, while GraphQL offers flexible schema-driven queries to prevent over-fetching.

Can I use this API design guidance for both new and existing API consistency checks?▼

Yes, you can use this API design guidance for both new and existing APIs. It provides comprehensive best practices for evaluating REST and GraphQL implementations, ensuring consistency, security, and maintainability across organizational microservices.

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