API Integration

API Integration

Help a developer go from "I want to integrate with X" to having everything they need to start writing code.

Workflow

1. Start tracking. Before any other work, call devtools_skill_invocation with action start and skill_name api-integration. Pass skill_name api-integration on every devtools_* tool call in the following steps.

2. Identify the integration. Ask the user what they want to build if not clear. Common integrations:

   • WhatsApp Business API (send/receive messages, templates, media)
   • Instagram Graph API (publish content, read insights, manage comments)
   • Messenger Platform (chatbots, send API, webhooks)
   • Pages API (post content, read insights, manage pages)
   • Marketing API (create campaigns, manage ads, read analytics)
   • Login with Facebook / Login with Instagram
   • Facebook Login for Business

3. Research the integration. Run multiple searches to build a complete picture. Do NOT stop at one search — layer queries to cover all aspects:

   Search 1 — Overview and getting started:

   • devtools_discovery → search_docs with the product name + "getting started" or "overview"
   • e.g., "WhatsApp Business API getting started"

   Search 2 — Authentication and access tokens:

   • devtools_discovery → search_docs for authentication requirements
   • e.g., "WhatsApp Business API access token authentication"

   Search 3 — Required permissions and app review:

   • devtools_discovery → search_docs for permissions
   • e.g., "WhatsApp Business API permissions"
   • Also check the app if an app_id is provided: devtools_app_review → requirements and privileges

   Search 4 — Core API endpoints:

   • devtools_discovery → search_docs for the specific operations the user needs
   • e.g., "WhatsApp send message API" or "Instagram publish media API"

   Search 5 — Webhooks (if applicable):

   • devtools_discovery → search_docs for webhook setup
   • e.g., "WhatsApp webhooks setup"

   Search 6 — Rate limits and quotas:

   • devtools_discovery → search_docs for product-specific rate limits and throughput tiers
   • e.g., "WhatsApp Business API rate limits messaging tiers" or "Instagram API rate limits"

   Search 7 — Code examples and SDKs:

   • devtools_discovery → search_docs for SDK, client library, or code samples
   • Try product-specific queries first: "WhatsApp Business Platform Node.js" or "Instagram Graph API Python"
   • If no SDK results, search for "Graph API client library" or the product's quickstart guide
   • Fall back to constructing examples from the endpoint documentation in Search 4

   Run searches 1-5 in parallel for speed. Run 6-7 after if needed. Use max_results of 10 and pagination via offset to get comprehensive results. Refine queries if initial results are too broad or miss key topics.

4. Check app readiness (if the user has an app):

   • If they referred to the app by name (or aren't sure of the ID), resolve it to an app_id first via devtools_app_list (action list); if ambiguous, show the candidates (name, ID, viewer role) and ask them to pick
   • devtools_app → basic_settings to confirm app type and status
   • devtools_app_review → privileges to see what's already approved
   • devtools_app_review → requirements to see what's needed

5. Synthesize an integration guide. Extract the key information from search results — do NOT dump raw results. Organize findings into an actionable document:

   Guide Format

   Overview

   • What the API does and what the user can build with it
   • Link to the official product documentation

   Prerequisites

   • Meta Developer account
   • App type required (Business, Consumer, etc.)
   • Any product-specific prerequisites (e.g., WhatsApp Business Account, Facebook Page)

   Authentication

   • Token type needed (User, Page, System User, etc.)
   • How to generate tokens
   • Token permissions/scopes required
   • Token expiration and refresh flow

   Required Permissions

   • List each permission needed and what it grants
   • Which permissions need App Review vs. are auto-approved
   • If app_id provided: which are already granted vs. still needed

   Setup Steps

   • Step-by-step from zero to first API call
   • Include webhook setup if the integration requires it

   Key API Endpoints

   • Each endpoint with: method, URL pattern, key parameters, example response
   • Focused on what the user asked for, not an exhaustive list

   Code Example

   • A working starter example in the user's preferred language
   • Include authentication, a basic API call, and error handling
   • Use the official SDK if one exists, raw HTTP (curl/fetch) if not
   • Include webhook handler code if the integration is webhook-based

   Rate Limits and Quotas

   • Product-specific rate limits and throughput tiers (e.g., WhatsApp messaging tiers: 1K/10K/100K/unlimited)
   • Per-endpoint rate limits if applicable
   • Suggest /api-health for ongoing monitoring

   Common Pitfalls

   • Product-specific gotchas the docs call out
   • Permission mistakes, token type confusion, webhook verification issues

6. Offer next steps:

   • /app-review-prep if permissions need App Review
   • /webhook-setup if the integration uses webhooks
   • /api-health to monitor usage once live

7. End tracking. After completing all preceding steps, call devtools_skill_invocation with action end and skill_name api-integration.

Tips

• Always search multiple times with different queries. A single search rarely covers authentication + permissions + endpoints + examples.
• Prefer the user's stated language/framework for code examples. Default to Node.js/JavaScript if not specified.
• If the user has an app_id, cross-reference their current permissions against what the integration requires — this saves them time.
• Some integrations (WhatsApp, Instagram) require a Business-type app. Call this out early if the user's app is the wrong type.
• Webhook-based integrations (Messenger, WhatsApp) won't work without a callback URL. Suggest /webhook-setup proactively.