CONTRACT DESIGN
API Standards
Design consistent, secure, and backward-compatible API routes and responses.
Production stability and security notice
Development changes must preserve working functionality, Provider isolation, role-based access, HIPAA auditability, released Mobile compatibility, and integration stability. Never deploy AI-generated or unreviewed code directly to production.
Route Design
| Topic | Standard |
|---|---|
| Resource naming | Use clear plural nouns and domain-specific paths. |
| HTTP methods | GET reads, POST creates or executes commands, PATCH updates, DELETE removes or deactivates. |
| Authentication | Require authentication unless the route is intentionally public. |
| Authorization | Enforce role and Provider scope server-side. |
| DTO validation | Validate types, formats, required fields, enums, and length. |
| Pagination | Use explicit page or cursor parameters for large collections. |
| Filtering | Document supported filters and apply safe defaults. |
Response Design
- Return stable field names.
- Include transaction or batch identifiers for asynchronous integrations.
- Return clear success and error messages.
- Do not include stack traces, credentials, or sensitive configuration.
- Preserve fields used by released Mobile versions.
Integration Responses
External systems may return identifiers in different response paths. Parsers must be explicit, tested, and backward-compatible. Transaction IDs and request payload references should be stored for later review.