MCP ❤️ APIs
AI is dead, MCP takes over the world? Also, some non-hyperbolic API tech news, including: Building APIs with Next.js, New URLPattern APIs on Cloudflare, File Uploads, and breaking free from vendor lock-in
Scrolling through the feeds and newsletters this week, I have seen far too many posts saying OpenAPI is dead and MCP is the future.
If you are unaware, MCP (Model Context Protocol) is a standardised way for AI to interact with tools. I don't know what it is about AI that has chunks of the industry claiming something is dead every few weeks. My favourite one recently was about not needing any doctors. Yep, that's right, we don't need to learn and explore any more, the computer tells us all.
...anyway, the interesting part is that MCP needs a well-written API to work. Mike Amundsen shared a great article on this, so I made it the first link to clear up this nonsense.
-- Alexander
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API News, links, and tools from around the web
MCP: The Ultimate API Consumer (Not the API Killer)
This excellent article walks you through what MCP is, why it's not the API an API killer, and why OpenAPI is more critical than ever. I love articles like this, cutting through the middle of the hype vs fear of disruption.
New URLPattern API Available in Node.js and Cloudflare Workers
Some fantastic work has been happening in NodeJS and Cloudflare. Support for standardised URL pattern matching is now available in NodeJS. This is huge progress. Cloudflare has supported this for a few years but has worked with the NodeJS team to bring this latest update.
Building APIs with Next.js
Most people think of NextJS for building websites or full-stack web apps. However, you get a flexible, modern way to build APIs using its App Router and Handlers. Check this in-depth article for a step-by-step guide.
APIful Extensible, Typed API Tooling
I came across a new tool this week, APIful. It allows you to manage all your API interactions in one place, with full-type safety support and more. Load your OpenAPI spec, and off you go.
APIs You Won't Hate
The latest from the team at API's You Won't Hate.
Enforcing API consistency with a large team
Phil has been writing more API goodness from his canal boat. In his latest post, he walks us through maintaining consistency across APIs in large organizations. Focusing on consistency helps speed up integrations, improve code reuse, and avoid wasting time and money.
API Basics: File Uploads
For this one, we go back to basics: How does a REST API handle uploading images or spreadsheets when it normally only handles JSON or XML?
From our Community
Articles written and shared in our free Slack community.
The OpenAPI Advantage: Breaking Free from Vendor Lock-in
Another article from Kevin Swiber was shared directly by the man himself on our Slack channels this month. Kevin talks us through the journey to OpenAPI and how this has broken us free from vendor lock-in.
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Until next time,
Alexander, Phil & Mike
