Requests and responses
An API call sends a request to a service and receives a response. Automation workflows use APIs to read records, create tasks, send messages, and update systems.
- GET usually reads data.
- POST usually creates or sends data.
- Responses include status codes and body data.
Headers and JSON payloads
Headers describe the request and often include authorization. JSON payloads carry structured data such as names, email addresses, IDs, and message text.
- Keep authorization server-side.
- Send only required fields.
- Validate data before sending it to another system.
Errors and limits
APIs can fail because of bad data, expired access, rate limits, or service downtime. A reliable workflow plans for these failures.
- Retry temporary failures.
- Stop on permission errors.
- Alert a person when repeated failures happen.