API Endpoint
What is an API endpoint?
An API endpoint is a specific URL or function within an API that accepts requests and returns responses to perform a particular action or retrieve specific data. Each endpoint is designed to handle specific operations (like GET, POST, PUT, PATCH) and defines what inputs it accepts (through parameters, query strings, or request bodies) and what outputs it returns, along with any conditions or business rules that govern its behavior.
What structure does an API endpoint have?
API endpoints follow a defined structure that includes several key elements:
- Endpoint path — The specific URL pattern (like POST /orders or GET /users)
- Input parameters — Mandatory and optional fields that the endpoint accepts
- Request format — How data should be sent (JSON body, query parameters, or form-URL-encoded data)
- Output structure — What data fields the endpoint returns in response
- Conditions — Business rules or requirements that must be met for the request to succeed
For example, an endpoint to create a draft order might require customer information and product details as inputs, accept only JSON-formatted requests, and return an order object with status and reference fields.
How do teams work with API endpoints in AI products?
When building AI products, teams frequently interact with endpoints from LLM providers like the OpenAI completions API endpoint or Anthropic's Claude API. These endpoints accept prompts and return AI-generated responses. Teams also build their own API endpoints to integrate AI capabilities into their products. Understanding endpoint specifications—including input formats, authentication requirements, and rate limits—becomes essential when designing AI workflows and building automation.
Learn more:
- Understanding Web APIs: What They Are and How They Work
- Product in Practice: Getting Started with Several APIs (And the Challenges I Faced)
- Product in Practice: Evaluating If a New API is Needed
Related terms: