# How to Design a Good API? ![rw-book-cover](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:best,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbytebytego.substack.com%2Ftwitter%2Fsubscribe-card.jpg%3Fv%3D1137857627%26version%3D9) ## Metadata - Author: [[ByteByteGo]] - Full Title: How to Design a Good API? - Category: #articles - Summary: The document stresses the importance of good API design, highlighting the challenges users face with poorly designed APIs and the impact of discontinuing API use. It emphasizes the need for user-centric API development, gathering requirements effectively, and focusing on one purpose per API to ensure clarity and effectiveness. The text also discusses the significance of consistent naming conventions and standardized responses for creating clear and user-friendly APIs that meet specific needs. - URL: https://blog.bytebytego.com/p/how-to-design-a-good-api?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=817132&post_id=141916009&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=2h1ahd&utm_medium=email ## Highlights - Characteristics of a Good API A quality API has several characteristics that contribute to its effectiveness, usability, and long-term success: [![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5344327-b230-4b26-a73d-922ceea1feff_1652x1274.png)](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5344327-b230-4b26-a73d-922ceea1feff_1652x1274.png) ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hw6c90k35718q5156h07r8dp)) - Start the design process by drafting a high-level functional specification. Speed and flexibility are more important than comprehensive details at this early experimental stage. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hw6c9vskgvz9s9617z8yx3w0)) - A key rule for designing excellent APIs is that each should focus squarely on solving one primary problem very well rather than trying to address too many diverse issues. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hw6cang0kzf3bj3ysf07bm1z)) - Creating a general “Swiss army knife” API attempting to cover many use cases often fails. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hw6cadbj9dg1db8dxx538ra0)) - Ensure the purpose stays clear and focused. Align all capabilities directly to that goal of fulfilling a distinct user need. Anything peripheral should be removed. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hw6cb8svpg229nagvmhvvwn2)) - using the RESTful convention for endpoints like "/users" to retrieve user information aligns with industry standards. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hw6cc43s463n6aw5t534a3v4))