Extensibility

API-First Design Building for Extensibility API-first design starts with the contract, not the code. By agreeing on endpoints, data shapes, and error formats first, teams create a clear foundation that future features can build on. This approach also helps external developers, who rely on stable interfaces to integrate quickly. The result is a system that grows without breaking existing users. Design contracts first Describe resources and actions in a single specification. Use OpenAPI or a similar spec to define requests, responses, and errors. Include clear guidance on field types, defaults, and validation rules. Build for discoverability Document how new parts of the API appear, not just what exists now. Provide a simple mechanism for clients to learn about extensions or plugins. Consider versioned paths and helpful deprecation notices so clients can adapt smoothly. Versioning and compatibility Treat breaking changes as a new version, with a clear migration path. Keep backward compatibility where possible and signal removal long before it happens. Capture change history in your contract so teams understand impact quickly. Patterns that support extensibility Plugin architecture: define extension points where third parties can add behavior. Webhooks and events: let external systems react to changes without changing core APIs. Registry and adapters: a central place to register providers, formats, or integrations. Feature flags: enable experimental extensions without destabilizing the main flow. Practical example Imagine an API for products that supports multiple payment providers. An extension point could be a /extensions/payments/providers endpoint to list options, and /extensions/payments/providers/{id}/configure to connect a new provider. The OpenAPI spec describes these routes, the required credentials, and the expected success responses. Internally, a registry matches provider IDs to concrete adapters, so adding a new provider does not require changing core product logic. ...

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