Integrating APIs with Bolt.new Projects: A Practical Guide

Modern web applications rely heavily on API integrations to provide rich functionality. Whether you're connecting to payment processors, authentication services, or data providers, bolt.new makes API integration straightforward. This guide covers everything you need to know about integrating APIs into your bolt.new projects.

Understanding API Integration in Bolt.new

Bolt.new generates Next.js applications, which provide excellent support for API integration through API routes, server actions, and client-side fetching. You can request bolt.new to implement any of these patterns based on your specific needs.

Setting Up Environment Variables

API keys and secrets should never be hardcoded. Request bolt.new to use environment variables for sensitive data. In Next.js, prefix client-side variables with NEXT_PUBLIC_ and keep server-side keys without the prefix for security.

Common API Integration Patterns

REST APIs

Most APIs use REST architecture. Request bolt.new to implement fetch calls with proper error handling, request headers, and response parsing. Use API routes for server-side calls to protect API keys and handle CORS issues.

GraphQL APIs

For GraphQL APIs, request bolt.new to set up a GraphQL client with proper query and mutation handling. Implement caching strategies and error boundaries for robust GraphQL integration.

Webhooks

Webhooks allow services to push data to your application. Request bolt.new to create API routes that receive webhook payloads, verify signatures for security, and process events asynchronously.

Popular API Integrations

Stripe for Payments

Stripe is the standard for payment processing. Request bolt.new to implement Stripe Checkout, webhook handling for payment events, and subscription management. Always use Stripe's test mode during development.

Supabase for Authentication and Database

Supabase provides authentication, database, and storage APIs. Request bolt.new to set up Supabase client, implement authentication flows, and create database queries with proper error handling and type safety.

OpenAI for AI Features

Integrate OpenAI's API for AI-powered features. Request bolt.new to implement API calls with streaming responses, proper rate limiting, and error handling. Always use server-side routes to protect your API key.

SendGrid or Resend for Emails

Email services are essential for transactional emails. Request bolt.new to integrate email APIs for sending welcome emails, password resets, and notifications with proper templating and error handling.

Error Handling Best Practices

Robust error handling is crucial for API integrations. Request bolt.new to implement try-catch blocks, proper error messages for users, logging for debugging, retry logic for transient failures, and fallback behavior when APIs are unavailable.

Rate Limiting and Caching

Most APIs have rate limits. Implement caching to reduce API calls, respect rate limit headers, implement exponential backoff for retries, and consider using a queue for high-volume operations.

Testing API Integrations

Always test API integrations thoroughly. Use test/sandbox modes provided by services, implement mock responses for development, test error scenarios and edge cases, and verify webhook handling with test events.

Security Considerations

Security is paramount when integrating APIs. Never expose API keys in client-side code, validate and sanitize all input data, verify webhook signatures, implement CORS properly, and use HTTPS for all API communications.

Monitoring and Logging

Implement comprehensive logging for API calls to track usage, debug issues, and monitor performance. Log request/response details (excluding sensitive data), track error rates, monitor response times, and set up alerts for failures.

Conclusion

API integration is a fundamental skill for modern web development. With bolt.new, you can quickly implement robust API integrations by clearly specifying your requirements. Follow these best practices to ensure your integrations are secure, reliable, and maintainable.