Making APIs ready for agents

Bill Doerrfeld | June 25, 2025

My latest for The New Stack explores how to position APIs for AI agents

How do you make an API ready for AI agents to use? I posed this question to a handful of API experts and put together a comprehensive guide for The New Stack — published today.


The key takeaway: making RESTful APIs agent-ready takes way more than just wrapping them in MCP (although that's helpful). 


It'll require having a well-defined spec, setting new traffic controls, comprehensive error responses with next steps, documenting common workflows, and having monetization in place (when applicable), and more...


There are also some big security and ethical concerns to keep in mind.


This space is rapidly evolving, and the practices will likely change. But I think following this guide will be a really strong foundation for API providers in mid-2025.


Please give it a read and feel free to let me know what you think, especially if we missed any key areas.



Read: How To Prepare Your API for AI Agents
Abstract blue web-like structure, possibly fabric, with a shimmering effect.

Do you really need a vector-native database?

By Bill Doerrfeld • September 23, 2025
Explore whether vector native databases outperform traditional DBs with vector add-ons for AI. Learn use cases, tradeoffs, and expert insights.
Man presenting at the Nordic APIs conference, standing in front of a screen, with audience.

See you at Platform Summit 2025 in Stockholm

By Bill Doerrfeld • September 17, 2025
Join me in Stockholm for Platform Summit 2025 and the API Security UnConference, October 13–15. Exciting talks, networking, and more.
A grey articulated figure kneeling, arranging small white objects in a clear plastic container. White background.

When does MCP make sense?

By Bill Doerrfeld • September 11, 2025
MCP shines for indeterministic workflows, novel integrations, and giving AI coding agents context on the fly. But for more predictable automation it may be overengineeering.
Overhead view of construction site with workers in orange vests, metal beams, and dark concrete.

Finding business leverage with multiple agents

By Bill Doerrfeld • August 30, 2025
For my latest DirectorPlus column with LeadDev, I synced with JB Brown, VP of engineering at Smartsheet, to learn about their multi-agent AI development strategy.
Pink and purple sunset sky with dark, fluffy clouds.

Alternative clouds are having a moment

By Bill Doerrfeld • August 25, 2025
Alternative clouds are having a moment. Nearly 75% of orgs are using two or more alt clouds beyond the hyperscalers, according to a HostingAdvice.com report.
Digital global CIOs digital sovereignty

Digital sovereignty is now impossible to ignore

By Bill Doerrfeld • August 20, 2025
The cloud is no longer borderless. Rising regional data laws and sovereign cloud mandates are forcing CIOs to act.
A

Multi-agent AI workflows reshape the developer's day-to-day

By Bill Doerrfeld • August 11, 2025
In a multi-agent coding workflow, an engineer leads a "team" of specialist AI agents to perform various SDLC tasks: scaffolding, coding, testing, log analysis, deployment, and more.
Open source software churn end of life

When critical open source goes end of life...

By Bill Doerrfeld • August 8, 2025
Open-source software churn is accelerating. With more frequent version end-of-lives and even total project abandonments, it's harder than ever to keep up.
Hype drives most programming language igrationsigra

Most language migrations are driven by hype

By Bill Doerrfeld • July 30, 2025
I covered a report from HostingAdvice.com, which found that the majority of programming language migrations are driven by hype, instead of proven outcomes.
Cross-functional teams help Stack Overflow adapt LeadDev DirectorPlus 2025

Can Stack Overflow keep pace with AI disruption?

By Bill Doerrfeld • July 28, 2025
Facing an existential crisis, Stack Overflow has had to pivot quickly. I synced with a director to discover what team strategies are helping them adapt.