# api-client-generator

> Use when creating REST API clients, SDK wrappers, or HTTP service integrations. Generates type-safe client code with retry logic, error handling, rate limiting, and comprehensive tests. Triggered by requests to integrate external APIs, build SDK clients, or create service wrappers.

- Author: Michael Coletta
- Repository: blurphanatic/claude-skills
- Version: 20251114234319
- Stars: 0
- Forks: 0
- Last Updated: 2026-02-06
- Source: https://github.com/blurphanatic/claude-skills
- Web: https://mule.run/skillshub/@@blurphanatic/claude-skills~api-client-generator:20251114234319

---

---
name: api-client-generator
description: Use when creating REST API clients, SDK wrappers, or HTTP service integrations. Generates type-safe client code with retry logic, error handling, rate limiting, and comprehensive tests. Triggered by requests to integrate external APIs, build SDK clients, or create service wrappers.
maturity: stable
version: 2.0.0
---

# API Client Generator

## Overview

Generates production-ready API clients with type safety, error handling, and testing.

**When to use:**
- User asks to integrate with an external API
- Building SDK wrapper for a service
- Creating typed HTTP client
- Implementing service-to-service communication

**Announce:** "I'm using the api-client-generator skill to create a type-safe API client"

## Process

### Step 1: Analyze API Specification

Check for API documentation:
```bash
# Look for OpenAPI/Swagger spec
find . -name "*.yaml" -o -name "*.yml" | grep -E "(openapi|swagger)"

# Check for API docs
ls -la docs/api/ 2>/dev/null
```

If OpenAPI spec exists, use `scripts/parse-openapi.sh` to generate types.

### Step 2: Generate Client Structure

Use the template generator:
```bash
scripts/generate-client.sh <service-name> <language>
```

This creates:
- Client class with configuration
- Request/response types
- Error handling
- Retry logic
- Rate limiting

### Step 3: Implement Methods

For each API endpoint:
1. Define request/response types
2. Add method to client class
3. Include error handling
4. Add retry logic if idempotent
5. Write unit test

Example from template:
```typescript
async getUser(id: string): Promise<User> {
  return this.request<User>({
    method: 'GET',
    path: `/users/${id}`,
    retryable: true,
    timeout: 5000
  });
}
```

### Step 4: Add Integration Tests

Use `templates/integration-test.tpl` to create tests:
```bash
templates/apply-template.sh integration-test.tpl > tests/integration.test.ts
```

### Step 5: Generate Documentation

```bash
scripts/generate-docs.sh > API_CLIENT.md
```

## Validation

- [ ] All endpoints have type-safe methods
- [ ] Error responses are properly typed
- [ ] Retry logic only on idempotent operations
- [ ] Rate limiting is configurable
- [ ] Authentication is properly handled
- [ ] Tests achieve >80% coverage
- [ ] Documentation includes all examples

## Common Issues

**Issue:** Rate limit errors
- **Solution:** Implement exponential backoff with jitter

**Issue:** Type mismatches
- **Solution:** Regenerate from latest API spec

**Issue:** Network timeouts
- **Solution:** Make timeout configurable per endpoint

## Resources

- `scripts/parse-openapi.sh` - Parse OpenAPI spec to TypeScript/Python types
- `scripts/generate-client.sh` - Generate client boilerplate
- `scripts/generate-docs.sh` - Create markdown documentation
- `templates/client-class.tpl` - Base client class template
- `templates/integration-test.tpl` - Integration test template
- `reference/best-practices.md` - API client best practices