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Free Technical Template

Free API Reference Guide

Complete reference for [API] endpoints and authentication

Overview Authentication Base URL & Versioning Endpoints Error Handling Rate Limits SDKs & Examples

API Reference Guide

Use this template to complete reference for [API] endpoints and authentication.

Template Metadata

Field Details
Category Technical
Owner [Team or owner]
Version [Version number]
Effective Date [Date]
Review Cycle [Monthly / Quarterly / Annual / Event-based]
Status [Draft / In Review / Approved]

Overview

Brief description of the API, its purpose, and core capabilities.

Item Details Owner Status
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]

Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

Authentication

Explain authentication methods (API keys, OAuth, JWT). Include code examples for each.

Item Details Owner Status
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]

Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

Base URL & Versioning

Document the base URL, versioning scheme, and supported API versions.

Item Details Owner Status
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]

Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

Endpoints

For each endpoint group, document: - HTTP method and path - Description - Request parameters (path, query, body) in a table - Request/response examples in code blocks - Status codes

Item Details Owner Status
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]

Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

Error Handling

List error codes, their meanings, and recommended handling.

Item Details Owner Status
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]

Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

Rate Limits

Document rate limit policies, headers, and retry strategies.

Item Details Owner Status
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]

Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

SDKs & Examples

Link to SDKs and provide quick-start code examples. Use Markdown with code blocks for all examples. Be precise and complete.

Item Details Owner Status
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]

Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

Review and Signoff

Document review conclusions, approvals, unresolved items, and next review date.

Role Name Date Notes
Preparer [Name] [Date] [Notes]
Reviewer [Name] [Date] [Notes]
Approver [Name] [Date] [Notes]

Template Structure

What the API Reference Guide Includes

Use this technical template as a starting point, then customize each section to match your internal workflow, evidence, and signoff needs.

1

Overview

Brief description of the API, its purpose, and core capabilities.

2

Authentication

Explain authentication methods (API keys, OAuth, JWT). Include code examples for each.

3

Base URL & Versioning

Document the base URL, versioning scheme, and supported API versions.

4

Endpoints

For each endpoint group, document: - HTTP method and path - Description - Request parameters (path, query, body) in a table - Request/response examples in code blocks - Status codes

5

Error Handling

List error codes, their meanings, and recommended handling.

6

Rate Limits

Document rate limit policies, headers, and retry strategies.

7

SDKs & Examples

Link to SDKs and provide quick-start code examples. Use Markdown with code blocks for all examples. Be precise and complete.

Recommended Structure

Write a professional API Reference Guide. Structure with these sections:

Overview

Brief description of the API, its purpose, and core capabilities.

Authentication

Explain authentication methods (API keys, OAuth, JWT). Include code examples for each.

Base URL & Versioning

Document the base URL, versioning scheme, and supported API versions.

Endpoints

For each endpoint group, document: - HTTP method and path - Description - Request parameters (path, query, body) in a table - Request/response examples in code blocks - Status codes

Error Handling

List error codes, their meanings, and recommended handling.

Rate Limits

Document rate limit policies, headers, and retry strategies.

SDKs & Examples

Link to SDKs and provide quick-start code examples.

Use Markdown with code blocks for all examples. Be precise and complete.

Example Filled Template

Acme Payments API v2

Overview

The Acme Payments API provides a RESTful interface for processing payments, managing customers, and handling subscriptions. All requests and responses use JSON format.

Authentication

All API requests require a Bearer token in the Authorization header:

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_live_abc123..." \
https://api.acmepay.com/v2/charges
Method Header Description
API Key Authorization: Bearer sk_live_... For server-side requests
OAuth 2.0 Authorization: Bearer oauth_... For user-delegated access

Base URL & Versioning

  • Production: https://api.acmepay.com/v2
  • Sandbox: https://sandbox.acmepay.com/v2

Endpoints

Create a Charge

POST /v2/charges
Parameter Type Required Description
amount integer Yes Amount in cents
currency string Yes Three-letter ISO currency code
source string Yes Payment source token
description string No Charge description

Response (201 Created):

{
"id": "ch_1234567890",
"amount": 2000,
"currency": "usd",
"status": "succeeded"
}

Error Handling

Code Meaning Action
400 Bad Request Check request parameters
401 Unauthorized Verify API key
429 Rate Limited Retry after Retry-After header

Rate Limits

  • Standard: 100 requests/minute
  • Premium: 1,000 requests/minute

Rate limit headers are included in every response: X-RateLimit-Remaining, X-RateLimit-Reset.

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Template FAQ

API Reference Guide FAQ

Common questions about using and generating a aPI Reference Guide.

Using This Template

Q: What is a aPI Reference Guide?

A: A aPI Reference Guide is a structured document for complete reference for [api] endpoints and authentication.

Q: Can I download this aPI Reference Guide as Word or PDF?

A: Yes. This page includes free downloads in DOCX, PDF, and Markdown formats so you can edit, share, or import the template into your documentation system.

Q: Can Docsie generate this from a video?

A: Yes. Upload a process walkthrough, training recording, or screen capture to Docsie, then use this template structure to generate a first draft automatically.