Practical API Design First in Action

APIs are everywhere! Yet, designing APIs that are intuitive, evolvable, and developerfriendly remains a challenge. This workshop introduces the API Design First approach, which emphasizes collaboration, consistency, and exceptional developer experience by focusing on crafting your API contract before implementation. We’ll explore why API Design First matters, how it compares to the traditional Code First method, and how adopting this approach can transform the way teams build APIs.

Through interactive exercises, you’ll gain handson experience with OpenAPI, learning to craft “good” API contracts grounded in RESTful principles. You'll also dive into API Design Reviews, participating in mock sessions to understand how collaboration can elevate the quality and consistency of your designs. By experiencing proven API Design First practices, you’ll leave with a clear roadmap to enhance your own APIs and elevate your organization’s API program. Whether you’re a developer, architect, or product manager, this workshop equips you with the skills, tools, and mindset to create APIs that deliver lasting value and exceptional developer satisfaction.

About Travis Gosselin

Travis is a Principal Software Engineer at GitHub focused on Developer Experience, where he works to improve how developers build, collaborate, and deliver software at scale. He is passionate about simplifying complex systems, shaping effective engineering practices, and creating environments where developers can move faster with greater clarity and confidence. A seasoned speaker, architect, and writer, Travis enjoys sharing insights, exploring emerging technologies, and helping teams turn better developer workflows into meaningful business impact.

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