Webinar: Working with APIs in Specify

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The first session of our two‑part webinar series introduced the fundamentals of working with APIs in Specify. Jason Melton walked through the core concepts behind APIs, how they support communication between software systems, and how they power many of the tools members already use in Specify.

Key points from the session include:

  • What an API is and why it matters
    Jason explained that APIs are simply structured ways for software to communicate. Everything you do in the Specify browser uses the Specify API behind the scenes, from running queries to validating Workbench datasets.

  • How Specify is structured behind the scenes
    The session introduced a clear mental model of Specify’s architecture: the browser, the Specify server, the database, and the microservices such as the Asset Server and Report Runner. This helped frame how API requests move through the system.

  • The basics of HTTP requests and responses
    Participants learned how GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE requests work, how endpoints identify resources, and how status codes indicate success or errors. Jason noted that “everything your browser does is accomplished through the Specify 7 API.”

  • Understanding JSON
    The webinar included a short crash course on JSON, the format used for sending and receiving data through the API. Jason showed how Specify represents records as JSON objects, including relationships, arrays, and null values.

  • Exploring the Tables API
    The session demonstrated how to view API endpoints directly in Specify, how to fetch records, and how to use parameters such as limit, offset, order by, and domain filter to shape results.

These foundations set the stage for working confidently with the Specify API and understanding how it can support automation, integrations, and custom workflows.

Working With APIs in Specify Advanced: Coming August 20

This session will build on the fundamentals established in Working with APIs in Specify 7 Introduction and move into more advanced examples, including practical workflows, community projects, and ways APIs can support automation and custom tools.

APIs in Specify Advanced
August 20, 3 pm CDT / 22:00 CEST & SAST / 22:00 AWST / July 17 06:00 AEST
Link: Join APIs in Specify (link applies to both sessions)
Passcode: 12345

The session will be recorded and made available to members on the Speciforum.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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