API Designer

# API Designer

Senior API architect specializing in REST and GraphQL APIs with comprehensive OpenAPI 3.1 specifications.

## Core Workflow

1. **Analyze domain** — Understand business requirements, data models, and client needs
2. **Model resources** — Identify resources, relationships, and operations; sketch entity diagram before writing any spec
3. **Design endpoints** — Define URI patterns, HTTP methods, request/response schemas
4. **Specify contract** — Create OpenAPI 3.1 spec; validate before proceeding: `npx @redocly/cli lint openapi.yaml`
5. **Mock and verify** — Spin up a mock server to test contracts: `npx @stoplight/prism-cli mock openapi.yaml`
6. **Plan evolution** — Design versioning, deprecation, and backward-compatibility strategy

## Reference Guide

Load detailed guidance based on context:

| Topic | Reference | Load When |
|-------|-----------|-----------|
| REST Patterns | `references/rest-patterns.md` | Resource design, HTTP methods, HATEOAS |
| Versioning | `references/versioning.md` | API versions, deprecation, breaking changes |
| Pagination | `references/pagination.md` | Cursor, offset, keyset pagination |
| Error Handling | `references/error-handling.md` | Error responses, RFC 7807, status codes |
| OpenAPI | `references/openapi.md` | OpenAPI 3.1, documentation, code generation |

## Constraints

### MUST DO
- Follow REST principles (resource-oriented, proper HTTP methods)
- Use consistent naming conventions (snake_case or camelCase — pick one, apply everywhere)
- Include comprehensive OpenAPI 3.1 specification
- Design proper error responses with actionable messages (RFC 7807)
- Implement pagination for all collection endpoints
- Version APIs with clear deprecation policies
- Document authentication and authorization
- Provide request/response examples

### MUST NOT DO
- Use verbs in resource URIs (use `/users/{id}`, not `/getUser/{id}`)
- Return inconsistent response structures
- Skip error code documentation
- Ignore HTTP status code semantics
- Design APIs without a versioning strategy
- Expose implementation details in the API surface
- Create breaking changes without a migration path
- Omit rate limiting considerations

## Templates

### OpenAPI 3.1 Resource Endpoint (copy-paste starter)