boundary agreement
API contract
API Contract
Also known as · API · endpoint contract · API agreement
Definition
An agreement that makes a provider and its consumers interpret inputs, outputs, authorization, errors, and state in the same way. It owns the observable boundary rather than a screen or implementation shape.
Searchable examples
- GET /api/search?q=term
- 401 · 403 · 404 · 409 · 500
Short example
GET /api/search?q=term
Accept: application/json
Consumers should handle 200, 400, 429, and 503 deliberately.