I want to learn how to use the API to [insert your thought here]

[skedwards88]

We want to hear from YOU to help us determine what API-oriented guides will be most useful.

• Is there a task that you wish you knew how to do via the API?
• Is there a task that you personally are glad that you do via the API instead of manually?
• Is there a task that you think is easier to do with the API than the web UI?
• Is there a task that people often ask you how to do via the API?

Drop a comment here to let us know!

[rafaax]

1 - Yes, I wish I knew how to automate data extraction via the API.
2 - Yes, I'm glad I can automate repetitive data entry tasks via the API instead of doing them manually.
3 - Yes, managing large datasets is easier with the API compared to the web UI.
4 - Yes, people often ask me how to automate report generation via the API.

[Achyutha337]

Yes I got some knowledge about how API's will be used

[Sudeepthi822]

Yes, I gained a little knowledge regarding the use of API

[Kargatharaakash]

Hello there! 👋 Let's dive into using APIs in a way that's easy to understand but still covers the important technical bits. Imagine an API as a friendly robot waiter at a restaurant. You're the customer, and you want some data (or food, in this analogy).
Here's how you'd typically use an API:

1. Find the menu (API documentation):
First, look for the API's documentation. This is like the restaurant's menu, telling you what "dishes" (data or actions) are available.

2. Choose your dish (Endpoint):
Pick the specific piece of information or action you want. In API-speak, this is called an "endpoint". It's usually a URL, like https://api.example.com/users.

3. Place your order (Make a request):

You'll use an HTTP method to "order". The most common are:

• GET: Fetch information (like reading a user's profile)
• POST: Create something new (like posting a tweet)
• PUT/PATCH: Update existing information
• DELETE: Remove something

4. Specify any special requests (Parameters):
Sometimes you need to provide extra information. These are called "parameters" and can be part of the URL or sent separately.

5. Show your ID (Authentication):

Many APIs require you to prove who you are. This often involves an API key or token.

6. Receive your order (Response):
The API will send back data, usually in JSON format. It's like getting your food, but instead of a plate, you get a structured set of data.

Here's a simple example using Python and the requests library:

import requests

// The API endpoint (our menu item)
url = "https://api.example.com/users"

// Any extra info we need to provide (special requests)
params = {"limit": 10}

// Our ID (authentication)
headers = {"Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"}

// Place the order (make the request)
response = requests.get(url, params=params, headers=headers)

// Check if our order was successful
if response.status_code == 200:
    // Enjoy your data!
    data = response.json()
    print(data)
else:
    print(f"Oops! Error: {response.status_code}")

Remember, each API is like a different restaurant with its own menu and rules. Always check the specific API's documentation for the exact details on how to use it.

Happy coding, and enjoy your API feast! 🍽️👨‍💻

[Juniourmwangi]

Thanks for this post.

[GDS2025]

Thanks for the explanation. I understand it a little better now.

[ritheshjaston]

Before diving into the technical aspects, let's clarify what an API is. An Application Programming Interface is essentially a set of rules and protocols that allow different software applications to communicate with each other. Think of it as a bridge connecting two different systems, allowing them to exchange data and functionality.  

Key Concepts to Grasp:

RESTful APIs:
These are the most common type, following the Representational State Transfer (REST) architectural style. They use HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to interact with resources.

SOAP APIs:
Simple Object Access Protocol APIs are more complex, using XML for data exchange and often require a WSDL (Web Services Description Language) file.

GraphQL APIs:
A more recent approach that allows clients to specify the exact data they need, reducing over-fetching and under-fetching.
Steps to Learn from Scratch:

Do the Cerification by Postman:
https://academy.postman.com/path/postman-api-fundamentals-student-expert

[1batu]

I find that performing bulk data operations and automation tasks is much easier via the API. Being able to handle tasks that would take a long time manually with a single API call is a huge advantage. Also, tasks like retrieving and updating user data are faster and more reliable with the API. One of the common questions I get is how to apply specific filters when fetching data via the API. More guides on topics like this would be really helpful.

[MillorJ]

Here are my thoughts on what API-oriented guides would be most useful:

Automating Repository Management:

• It would be great to have guides on using the GitHub API to automate tasks like creating, deleting, or archiving repositories. This can save a lot of manual work, especially for managing large numbers of repositories.
  -For example, "How to create repositories in bulk with custom permissions via the GitHub API."

Managing Issues and Pull Requests:
-A guide on automating issue or pull request creation, assignment, and labeling would be extremely helpful. Many teams want to automate the lifecycle of issues, and doing this via the API instead of manually through the UI could streamline workflows.
-For instance, "How to auto-assign labels and reviewers for pull requests via the API."

CI/CD Integration:
-API-based integration with CI/CD tools like Jenkins or GitHub Actions is a frequent need. A detailed guide on triggering CI/CD pipelines or managing workflows through the API would be valuable.
-For example, "How to trigger a GitHub Actions workflow with custom inputs via the API."

Data Extraction and Reporting:
-A lot of users are looking to extract data such as commit history, contributor stats, or issue metrics for reporting purposes. A guide on automating the extraction of this data through the API would be great for developers who need to track performance.
-For example, "How to fetch and analyze repository statistics via the GitHub API."

Webhook Management:
-Managing webhooks through the API can be much faster than doing it manually. A guide on how to create, manage, and troubleshoot webhooks via the API would help users avoid common manual errors.
-For instance, "How to set up and test GitHub Webhooks programmatically."

Handling Permissions and Access:
-Managing team permissions for repositories via the API is much easier for large organizations. A detailed guide on how to do this would help developers keep their access controls in check.
-For example, "How to manage organization and repository permissions via the API."

Overall, API guides that streamline workflows, reduce manual tasks, and enhance reporting would be extremely useful!

[GDS2025]

I would like to know how to implement a very basic feature, so the nickname or boatname of an app user can show on a map like it does on Petal maps. Help please $$

[opticaldrive]

I want to learn how to use the Github API to get all my activity with a web hook, but it doesn't seem to be possible...

[opticaldrive]

Wait what

[ssalka]

I would like to be able to fetch all the open issues that I have reacted to, ideally using the GraphQL API.

I'm ultimately looking to have some ability to "follow" issues even if I'm not an active contributor/commenter there - which AFAICT is not a current GitHub feature.

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[Champ10q]

I would like some help,

[ghost]

I would like to be able to fetch all the open issues that I have reacted to, ideally using the GraphQL API.

I'm ultimately looking to have some ability to "follow" issues even if I'm not an active contributor/commenter there - which AFAICT is not a current GitHub feature.

[raduorban]

Hello,

I am looking for a way to enable/check status of dependency graph for a repository using the REST API. Thanks.

[web-v2]

My example API with TS

`import express from "express";
import bodyParser from "body-parser";
import cors from "cors";
//Rutas
import clienteRoutes from "./routes/cliente.routes";
import productoRoutes from "./routes/producto.routes";
import metodosPagoRoutes from "./routes/metodos_pago.routes";
import billRoutes from "./routes/bill.routes";
import tipoDocRoutes from "./routes/tipos_documentos.routes";
//Configuracion de Archivos json
import { initializeConfigFile } from "./utils/file.utils";

const app = express();
const port = process.env.PORT || 3000;

// Lista de orígenes permitidos
const allowedOrigins = [
"http://localhost:4200/",
"https://www.netlify.com/",
"https://netlify.app/",
];

// Configuración de CORS
const corsOptions: cors.CorsOptions = {
origin: (origin, callback) => {
if (!origin) return callback(null, true);

if (allowedOrigins.includes(origin)) {
  callback(null, true);
} else {
  callback(new Error("No autorizado por CORS"));
}

},
methods: ["GET", "POST", "PUT"],
allowedHeaders: ["Content-Type", "Authorization"],
credentials: true,
};

// Usa el middleware CORS
app.use(cors(corsOptions));

app.get("/api", (req, res) => {
res.json({ message: "API funcionando correctamente." });
});

app.use(bodyParser.json());
app.use("/api/clientes", clienteRoutes);
app.use("/api/productos", productoRoutes);
app.use("/api/metodos-pago", metodosPagoRoutes);
app.use("/api/tipo-documentos", tipoDocRoutes);
app.use("/api/bills", billRoutes);

initializeConfigFile()
.then(() => {
app.listen(port, () => {
const mensaje = "API RUNNING";
const borde = "*".repeat(mensaje.length + 4);
console.log(borde);
console.log(* ${mensaje} *);
console.log(borde);
console.log(Server running: http://localhost:${port}/api/);
});
})
.catch((error) => {
console.error("Error initializing config file", error);
});
`

Write to me

[theusmanyousaf]

yes, my friend asked me if we could use API to change whole site content to language native to website user, and I also would love to know if such API exists.

[nabrams]

Would really like an API endpoint to get dependency graph information similar to what is shown under insights/dependency-graph instead of having to download and parse the SBOM file to find this info. It is super tedious and would be SUPER helpful!!!

[Champ10q]

Yes agreed

[Im-Mohammed]

Hello there! 👋

APIs make everything smoother and faster. Here are some ways I use them:

1.Wish I knew how to do?
Automate repository setup—creating multiple repos at once with custom settings instead of doing it manually.

2.Glad I use the API for?
Managing pull requests! Automatically assigning labels and reviewers saves a ton of time.

3.Easier with API than UI?
Fetching contributor stats—no need to click through menus when one simple API call gives all the data instantly.

4.Common question I get?
How to trigger CI/CD workflows via API—many developers want seamless deployments, and a clear guide on this would be a game-changer.

APIs simplify workflows, reduce errors, and make things scalable. What’s been your most useful API automation? 🚀

[vikukumar]

I’d love to see API guides that cover real-world automation workflows rather than just single-endpoint usage. A few examples that would be super useful:

End-to-end project setup via API – creating a repo, configuring branch protections, adding collaborators, setting secrets, and enabling CI/CD all in one flow.

Bulk operations – for example, managing issues or PRs across multiple repositories (labels, assignees, state changes), which is much faster and safer through the API than clicking around the UI.

Auditing and reporting – pulling contributor activity, repo metadata, or security alerts programmatically so they can be integrated into dashboards.

Advanced search/filters – queries that mirror or extend what’s possible in the web UI but return machine-friendly JSON for scripts.

Personally, I love doing bulk updates of issues and PRs via the API. Something that would take me hours in the web UI takes seconds with a script.

I also get asked often how to automate repository provisioning for new projects or teams, so a guide that shows the “day 0” setup lifecycle would definitely help.

[Im-Mohammed]

Hi everyone! 👋 I'm exploring ways to streamline my workflow using the GitHub API. Here are a few tasks I'd love to see guides for:

How can I auto-assign reviewers and labels based on file paths or commit content in a pull request? This would save tons of manual triage time, especially for projects with clearly segmented responsibilities.

How can I fetch contributor stats and display them in a custom dashboard or portfolio? I want to highlight collaboration and activity across multiple repos in a visually engaging way.

How can I trigger GitHub Actions workflows with custom inputs from a front-end interface? For example, launching a deployment or test run from a portfolio site or internal tool.

How can I bulk-create repositories with preconfigured settings, labels, and permissions? This would be a huge time-saver when spinning up multiple related projects.

[nguyentandat1302]

Thanks bro , I got it explain

[nguyentandat1302]

Oke thanks bro