Managing and discovering APIs within a growing organization can quickly become a mess if you don’t have the right tools.
At Treblle, we're continuously working towards making API workflows more efficient and collaborative. With the release of Treblle 3.0, we’ve introduced powerful new features like the API Catalog to enhance your team’s API experience further.
Treblle’s latest feature, the API Catalog, tackles these challenges directly. It makes your APIs more straightforward and provides an organized way for teams to find, manage, and interact with them.
API Catalog enhances collaboration across the board, ensuring that internal teams, developers, and non-technical stakeholders can access the APIs they need when needed.
We’ve introduced Workspaces to help your team stay organized and collaborate effectively across different projects. Additionally, features like SSO, MFA, and Social Sign-On make it simple and secure for your team to access and manage APIs, regardless of your organization’s size.
In this blog post, I’ll walk you through everything you need about the API Catalog, including its features and functionality and how it aligns with Treblle’s broader mission of simplifying API workflows. I'll also share best practices and real-world examples to help you get started.
What is the API Catalog in Treblle?
The API Catalog is a new feature in Treblle 3.0 that allows API owners to organize and curate their APIs in one centralized place. But this is more than just a directory or visibility setting.
The API Catalog offers a structured way to categorize, tag, and document your APIs, making it easier for internal teams and external developers to find what they need.
In Treblle, the API Catalog goes beyond just listing APIs. It enhances how technical and non-technical users discover and utilize these APIs.
Unlike essential API visibility tools, the API Catalog lets you share only the documentation and key resources while keeping sensitive operational details hidden.
You can control what others see, ensuring they only have access to the information they need to understand and integrate with your APIs.
How to Use the API Catalog in Treblle?
- Go to API Settings
From your dashboard, choose the API you want to publish. On the left side, you’ll see all the available options. Click on API Settings.
- Scroll Down to Find Publish Option
Scroll down to the API Settings section. Towards the end, you'll find a sub-section labeled API Options. Click the Publish button in this section to make your API live in the catalog.
- Fill in API Information
Once you click Publish, you'll need to fill in the details for your API.
Here’s what to include:
- API Category: Choose a relevant category for your API
(e.g., Payment APIs ,Authentication APIs).
- API Tags: Add tags that describe its functionality
(e.g., OAuth ,v2 ,REST).
- API Description: Write a short description so everyone can quickly understand the purpose and function of the API.
Example: The Payment API supports multiple payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, and digital wallets. Use this API to integrate payment processing into your web or mobile app, ensuring a smooth and secure user transaction experience.
- API Published
Once you've filled everything out, click Publish. Your API is now live in the catalog. You can always go back and Edit it by clicking the Edit button on the right side.
Exploring the Catalog
- Access the API Catalog
To see your API in the catalog, go to the far-left section of the page. There, you’ll find the API Catalog option. Click on it to see all the APIs you've published.
- View Your Published API
In the API Catalog section, you’ll now see your published API.
- Sort and Filter Options
You'll notice sorting and filtering options on the right side of the catalog.
- You can sort the APIs by:
- Popular
- Grade
- Name
- Most Recent
- You can also filter APIs based on their SDK or Environment.
Interacting with Your Published API
- Click on Your API
To view more details about your API, click on its catalog listing. It will open up more in-depth information.
In the middle of the page, you'll see key details like:
- API Score
- Followers (who are following your API)
- API Tags
- API Category
- API Description
These details help users quickly assess the API’s usage and relevance.
- More Information on the Left Side
On the left side of the page, you can access additional information about the API:
- API Authentication
- API Resources
- All API Endpoints
This section provides everything a developer might need to work with the API.
- Using Alfred, the AI Assistant
Authentication Section
Here’s an example of what the Authentication section looks like for your API.
Treblle’s Alfred is your AI assistant, which makes working with APIs easier. It helps with:
- Code Generation: Instantly creates integration code and data models in any language.
- Onboarding Support: Provides quick access to base URLs, authentication, and endpoints.
- API Key Discovery: Generates or shows your personal API Key.
- Quality Assessment: Assess your API's design, performance, and security.
- API Discoverability: Offers detailed explanations of API endpoints.
- Debugging: Provides real-time insights into your requests.
- Live Support: Guides you through API-related queries.
With Alfred, you can speed up API adoption, reduce integration time, and improve the developer experience, making your API workflows much more efficient.
Example of Alfred in Action
When you click on an API in the catalog, Alfred offers insights and guides you through getting started or integrating it into your project.
Here’s an example of how Alfred can guide you through complex documentation, smoothing the process.
Key Features of the API Catalog
a) Curated Listings
As an API owner, you can create curated listings for your APIs.
- Grouping APIs by categories like Finance, Analytics, or Authentication
- Tagging APIs with terms like Backend, Data, or Microservices
- Adding detailed descriptions helps team members understand what each API does.
It helps everyone find the APIs they need and keeps developers, product managers, and business analysts on the same page.
b) Documentation and Resource Hub
Each API in the catalog can feature its documentation, including:
- OpenAPI Specifications: Standardized, machine-readable API definitions
- PDFs: For detailed use cases or compliance documentation
- Visual Resources: Diagrams, flowcharts, or architecture overviews
The API Catalog becomes a one-stop shop for your team's resources.
c) Search and Discoverability
The API Catalog comes equipped with a powerful search and filtering system. You can:
- Search by keywords in descriptions
- Filter APIs by tags, categories, or SDK compatibility
- Sort APIs by popularity, grade, or the most recent updates
d) Notifications for Followers
One of the best features is the ability to follow APIs. It means you can subscribe to an API and get notified whenever:
- A new endpoint is added.
- Documentation is updated.
- Additional resources are made available.
This feature ensures you stay in the loop without getting bombarded with unnecessary emails.
Use Cases for the API Catalog
- For Developers: The API Catalog simplifies the discovery process for developers who need to integrate APIs into their applications. They can find all the necessary documentation and resources in one place, making the process more efficient and less time-consuming.
- For Product Teams: If you’re on a product team and need to understand how an API works, the API Catalog gives you easy access to the documentation and descriptions without needing a developer to walk you through it. It helps ensure everyone is on the same page about how teams use APIs within your product.
- For Large Enterprises: As the number of APIs grows, managing them can become a logistical challenge. The API Catalog’s categorization and tagging features help enterprises keep track of their growing API ecosystem, making it easier to manage and use many APIs effectively.
Best Practices for API Catalog Management
- Organizing with Meaningful Categories: When you categorize your APIs, think about the structure that will make the most sense to your team. Group APIs are based on their function (e.g., “Authentication” or “Data APIs”) or by the team responsible for them. The more logical your categories are, the easier people find what they need.
- Keep Documentation Up to Date: Keep your API descriptions and resources current. Outdated information can create confusion, but it’s also a good idea to revisit older APIs and check if the documentation still reflects how they work.
- Engaging Users with Notifications: The notification feature is a great way to keep your team engaged. Encourage users to follow the APIs they use, so they automatically get updates. It will keep everyone in the loop and reduce the need for manual updates.
Wrapping Up: Why the API Catalog Matters
The API Catalog in Treblle 3.0 brings everything together in one place, making it easier for your team to find, manage, and collaborate on APIs. With features like Workspaces, SSO, MFA, and Social Sign-On integrations, we ensure your API management experience is secure and efficient.
By providing a structured way to categorize, tag, and document APIs, the API Catalog fosters clarity and efficiency, making it easier to scale your API ecosystem as your organization grows. It’s not just a tool for developers—it’s a platform that aligns your entire team, promotes transparency, and accelerates your API workflows.
