dotnet:api-design

Review ASP.NET Core API endpoints for design and security best practices.

2|Updated Apr 19, 2026

Search Tags:#security #routing #API design #DTO #ASP.NET Core

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/dimsour/dotnet-ai-toolkit --skill dotnet-api-design-dimsour

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: dotnet:api-design
Source: https://github.com/dimsour/dotnet-ai-toolkit/tree/main/plugins/dotnet/skills/api-design
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/dimsour/dotnet-ai-toolkit --skill dotnet-api-design-dimsour

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

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

What problem does it solve?

This Skill provides guidance on designing robust and maintainable ASP.NET Core APIs, addressing common pitfalls and promoting best practices in architecture, security, and data transfer.

Core Features & Use Cases

API Design Patterns: Offers patterns for Minimal APIs vs Controllers, routing, DTOs, validation, middleware, and versioning.
Security Best Practices: Emphasizes securing endpoints with [Authorize], proper use of DTOs, and CORS policies.
Error Handling: Recommends using ProblemDetails over raw exceptions for clean error responses.
Use Case: When developing an API in ASP.NET Core, this Skill helps ensure that the API adheres to the highest design and security standards.

Quick Start

Use the 'dotnet:api-design' skill to review the API endpoints in your project and improve their design and security.

Frequently Asked Questions about dotnet:api-design

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

FAQPage Schema

What's the best way to handle API error responses in ASP.NET Core?▼

Using ProblemDetails is the recommended best practice for API error responses in ASP.NET Core, providing a standardized format over raw exceptions. This ensures maintainable and consistent error handling across your endpoints.

How do I design routing and DTOs for Minimal APIs in ASP.NET Core?▼

Design Minimal APIs by defining clear routing patterns and using Data Transfer Objects (DTOs) to separate internal models from API contracts. This validation approach ensures secure and maintainable data transfer.

Can I use the Authorize attribute to secure endpoints in .NET 8?▼

Yes, you can secure endpoints in .NET 8 by applying the [Authorize] attribute. Proper endpoint authorization combined with CORS policies and DTOs ensures robust ASP.NET Core API security.

When do I need DTOs for my ASP.NET Core API design?▼

You need DTOs in ASP.NET Core API design to prevent over-posting attacks and decouple your internal database entities from the exposed API contracts. This boundary ensures secure data transfer.

Does this API design guidance apply to older .NET versions or only .NET 8/9/10/11?▼

This API design guidance explicitly applies to .NET 8, 9, 10, and 11 using ASP.NET Core. The best practices for routing, security, and error handling target modern maintainable API development.