API Documentation
Generate comprehensive REST API documentation with authentication, error codes, rate limiting, and code samples in Python, JavaScript, cURL, and Go
Overview
Generate complete REST API documentation for backend endpoints in under 3 minutes. Creates consistent docs that include authentication requirements, request/response examples, error codes, rate limiting, and code samples across multiple languages.
Use Cases
- Document REST endpoints during sprint planning sessions
- Generate API docs for SaaS product launches within 48 hours
- Create consistent documentation across microservices teams
- Update API docs for breaking changes in production releases
- Build documentation for third-party API integrations
- Generate OpenAPI/Swagger-compatible endpoint descriptions
Benefits
Save 3-4 hours per endpoint - Write complete documentation in minutes instead of manually formatting examples, error codes, and code samples.
Maintain consistency across 20+ endpoints - Every endpoint follows the same structure. New team members understand your API instantly.
Generate 6 code samples automatically - Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, cURL, Go, and Ruby examples in one pass. Developers copy-paste working code instead of guessing syntax.
Reduce support tickets by 40% - Clear authentication requirements and error codes mean fewer “how do I use this?” questions.
Ship features faster - Documentation happens during development, not as an afterthought. No more documentation debt holding up releases.
Template
Generate API documentation for:
Endpoint: {{endpoint}}
Method: {{method}}
Request parameters:
{{requestParams}}
Response format:
{{responseFormat}}
Include:
- Endpoint description
- Authentication requirements
- Request/response examples
- Error codes
- Rate limiting
- Code samples in {{languages}}
Properties
- endpoint: Single-line Text (default:
/api/v1/resource) - method: Single Selection (default:
GET)- Options: GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, PATCH
- requestParams (optional): Multi-line Text
- responseFormat: Multi-line Text
- languages: Multiple Selection (default:
Python, JavaScript, cURL)- Options: Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, cURL, Go, and 2 more
Example Output
Here’s what this template generates for a user creation endpoint:
# POST /api/v1/users
Creates a new user account in the system.
## Authentication
Requires Bearer token authentication in the Authorization header.
Authorization: Bearer <your_api_token>
## Request Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description | Default |
|-----------|--------|----------|--------------------------------|----------|
| name | string | Yes | User's full name | - |
| email | string | Yes | User's email address | - |
| role | string | No | User role (admin/member/guest) | member |
## Response Format
{
"id": "usr_1a2b3c4d5e6f",
"name": "John Smith",
"email": "john.smith@example.com",
"role": "member",
"created_at": "2025-10-18T14:32:10Z"
}
## Error Codes
| Code | Description |
|------|------------------------------------------|
| 400 | Invalid request (missing/invalid params) |
| 401 | Missing or invalid authentication token |
| 409 | User with email already exists |
| 429 | Rate limit exceeded |
## Rate Limiting
- 100 requests per minute per API token
- Rate limit headers included in response
## Code Samples
### Python
import requests
url = "https://api.example.com/api/v1/users"
headers = {"Authorization": "Bearer your_api_token"}
payload = {"name": "John Smith", "email": "john@example.com"}
response = requests.post(url, json=payload, headers=headers)
Complete with authentication details, error codes, and working code samples across languages.
Common Mistakes
Missing authentication details - API docs that skip auth requirements force developers to dig through support forums or submit tickets. Always specify whether the endpoint needs API keys, OAuth tokens, or other credentials.
Vague error descriptions - A 400 error could mean anything. “Invalid request” tells developers nothing. Specify what makes a request invalid: missing required fields, wrong data types, invalid enum values.
No rate limiting info - Developers hit rate limits, get locked out, and can’t figure out why. Include the limit (requests per minute/hour), which headers expose the limit, and what happens when exceeded.
Example-free documentation - Reading parameter descriptions without seeing real data is like reading a recipe without pictures. Include actual request/response examples with realistic data, not just schema definitions.
Ignoring edge cases - What happens when optional parameters are omitted? When arrays are empty? When strings contain special characters? Good docs answer these questions before developers ask.
Language-specific assumptions - “Just parse the JSON response” means different things in Python vs JavaScript vs Go. Code samples in multiple languages prevent confusion and copy-paste errors.
Frequently Used With
Code Review - Generate docs first, then review the implementation to ensure code matches documentation.
Bug Report - When API endpoints behave unexpectedly, reference the docs to identify discrepancies between expected and actual behavior.
Unit Test - Use documented error codes and edge cases to write comprehensive test coverage.