API Design Principles for Global APIs
API Design Principles for Global APIs Global APIs reach users across many regions, languages, and networks. To deliver a reliable experience, design must reduce latency, respect data rules, and stay predictable even when regional conditions vary. Clear contracts are the foundation. Design the surface early, version carefully, and document error formats so clients can handle failures gracefully. Use stable paths, predictable status codes, and backward-compatible changes whenever possible. Make data locale aware. Represent times in UTC ISO 8601 and surface localized formats only when requested. Read Accept-Language and, if possible, return translated messages. Use currency codes (ISO 4217) and SI units to avoid confusion across regions. ...