API & Platform Development
APIs that developers love to use
Whether you're building a platform for third-party integrations or need to connect your own systems — I build APIs that are fast, secure, and well-documented.
▋{
"intent": "shipping_request",
"confidence": 0.94,
"entities": [
{ "type": "order_id", "value": "4521" },
{ "type": "priority", "value": "urgent" }
],
"suggested_action": "escalate_fulfillment"
}What's Included
Every project is different, but here's what you can typically expect.
RESTful API Design
Clean endpoints, proper HTTP methods, consistent response formats. APIs that follow conventions developers expect.
GraphQL Implementation
When REST isn't enough. Flexible queries, real-time subscriptions, strongly typed schemas.
Third-Party Integrations
Stripe, Twilio, SendGrid, social logins — I've integrated dozens of APIs and know the gotchas.
Payment Systems
Stripe, PayPal, LiqPay integration. Subscriptions, one-time payments, invoicing, webhooks.
Authentication & Authorization
OAuth 2.0, API keys, JWT tokens, rate limiting. Secure by default.
API Documentation
OpenAPI/Swagger specs, interactive docs, code examples. Your API is only as good as its documentation.
API Architecture
Production-ready structure I build for you
Common Use Cases
This service is a good fit if you need:
How We Work Together
Requirements
We define what data needs to flow where, who the consumers are, and what constraints exist.
API Design
I design the API contract — endpoints, request/response formats, authentication.
Implementation
Building with comprehensive tests. Every endpoint verified before it ships.
Documentation
Interactive API docs, SDKs if needed, and integration guides.
Explore Before You Contact
Not sure where to start? These free tools can help you clarify your needs and come prepared for our conversation.
Related Services
Often combined with api development
Ready to Get Started?
Let's discuss your project and see how I can help.
In today's connected world, APIs are the invisible infrastructure that makes modern software possible. They enable your mobile app to communicate with your servers, allow third parties to integrate with your platform, and let different systems share data seamlessly. A well-designed API can become a competitive advantage; a poorly designed one becomes a constant source of frustration for everyone who needs to use it.
Why API Design Matters
An API is a contract between systems. It defines how different pieces of software communicate, what data they exchange, and how errors are handled. Unlike internal code that only your team sees, an API may be used by external developers, mobile applications, partner integrations, or automated systems. The design decisions you make today will affect everyone who builds on your platform for years to come.
Good API design prioritises clarity and consistency. Endpoints follow predictable patterns. Error messages are helpful rather than cryptic. Authentication is secure but not unnecessarily complex. Documentation is comprehensive and up-to-date. Rate limiting protects your infrastructure without blocking legitimate use. Versioning allows for evolution without breaking existing integrations.
RESTful API Development
REST remains the most widely used architectural style for web APIs, and for good reason. It's based on standard HTTP methods and status codes that developers already understand. It works well with caching infrastructure. It's stateless, making it easy to scale horizontally. And it provides a clear mental model for organising resources and operations.
I build RESTful APIs that follow established conventions and best practices. Resources are modelled logically. URLs are clean and predictable. HTTP methods are used correctly — GET for retrieval, POST for creation, PUT/PATCH for updates, DELETE for removal. Status codes communicate what happened. Response formats are consistent. Pagination, filtering, and sorting work sensibly.
GraphQL Implementation
For some use cases, GraphQL offers advantages over REST. It allows clients to request exactly the data they need, reducing over-fetching and under-fetching. It provides a strongly typed schema that serves as both documentation and validation. Real-time subscriptions are built into the specification. And it gives frontend developers more flexibility without requiring backend changes.
The choice between REST and GraphQL depends on your specific situation. REST is simpler and benefits from better caching. GraphQL excels when clients have diverse data needs or when bandwidth is constrained. Sometimes a hybrid approach makes sense. I'll recommend the right approach based on your requirements rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all solution.
Third-Party Integrations
Integrating with external services is often where API projects become complicated. Each third-party API has its own authentication method, rate limits, data formats, and quirks. Error handling becomes critical — external services fail, change their APIs, or behave unexpectedly. What looks simple on paper often involves significant complexity in practice.
I've integrated with dozens of external APIs over the years. Payment processors like Stripe, PayPal, and Square. Communication services including Twilio, SendGrid, and Mailchimp. Social platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Analytics services, CRM systems, accounting software, and countless others.
Payment System Integration
Payment integration deserves special mention because it's both critical and sensitive. Getting payments wrong costs real money and damages trust. I implement payment systems with proper attention to security, compliance, and edge cases. This includes handling webhooks correctly, managing subscription lifecycles, dealing with failed payments and retries, supporting multiple currencies where needed, and ensuring proper accounting records.
Authentication and Security
API security is non-negotiable. I implement authentication using industry-standard protocols — OAuth 2.0 for third-party access, JWT tokens for session management, API keys for server-to-server communication. Proper authorisation ensures users can only access what they're permitted to see. Rate limiting prevents abuse. Input validation blocks injection attacks. HTTPS is mandatory. Sensitive data is encrypted at rest and in transit.
Documentation and Developer Experience
An API is only as good as its documentation. I provide comprehensive API documentation using OpenAPI/Swagger specifications. This includes interactive documentation where developers can try endpoints directly in the browser, code examples in multiple languages, clear explanations of authentication requirements, and detailed descriptions of request and response formats.
Good documentation reduces support burden, accelerates integration, and makes developers want to build on your platform. It's an investment that pays dividends every time someone integrates with your API.