> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://manual.bubble.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://manual.bubble.io/~/changes/oSsRRFoN6bhUP7nqCRaz/core-resources/api.md).

# API

Bubble's API features allow you to set up incoming and outgoing requests to communicate with other applications and services

<figure><img src="https://34394582-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M5sbzwG7CljeZdkntrL%2Fuploads%2FJzorEUG9KLQ82JSkKrph%2Fbubble-api.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=47fda6c0-ff65-4d0b-abbb-ec5f52319079" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
This is the short-form **technical reference** entry of Bubble's API features. If you are looking for more in-depth and long-form articles on how the Bubble API works, you may be interested in checking the [Bubble API manual](#manual-references).\
\
Throughout reading the reference and manual, you may also find our [API Glossary](/~/changes/oSsRRFoN6bhUP7nqCRaz/help-guides/integrations/api/api-glossary.md) helpful.
{% endhint %}

## The Bubble API

### The Data API

The Data API allows other systems to search for, read, create, modify and delete data in your application’s database via a RESTful interface.

{% content-ref url="/pages/kU5he9ow8m53J7P1ws74" %}
[The Data API](/~/changes/oSsRRFoN6bhUP7nqCRaz/core-resources/api/the-bubble-api/the-data-api.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

### The Workflow API

The Workflow API allows external applications to execute workflows in your Bubble app via a RESTful interface.

{% content-ref url="/pages/QT2BQ2gOa929o0uTqX6U" %}
[The Workflow API](/~/changes/oSsRRFoN6bhUP7nqCRaz/core-resources/api/the-bubble-api/the-workflow-api.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## The API Connector

The API Connector is used to make **outgoing** connections to external applications and use it as a data source or trigger actions.

{% content-ref url="/pages/NCTNtjEil6n2e93MwWf6" %}
[The API Connector](/~/changes/oSsRRFoN6bhUP7nqCRaz/core-resources/api/the-api-connector.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

##

## Manual references

The Bubble manual gives extended information about Bubble's features and how to use them.

<details>

<summary>Introduction to APIs</summary>

This article series takes an in-depth look at what exactly an API is and how you can both set up an API in Bubble and connect to external APIs in different ways.

Article: [Introduction to APIs](/~/changes/oSsRRFoN6bhUP7nqCRaz/help-guides/integrations/api/introduction-to-apis.md)\
Video: [Introduction to APIs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO8PSqeJaWk\&t=745s)\
Article: [What is a RESTful API?](/~/changes/oSsRRFoN6bhUP7nqCRaz/help-guides/integrations/api/introduction-to-apis/what-is-a-restful-api.md)

</details>

<details>

<summary>Authenticating with the Bubble API</summary>

Authentication is the process of identifying **who** the client is in order to determine what they have access to.\
\
Article series: [The Bubble API and authentication](/~/changes/oSsRRFoN6bhUP7nqCRaz/help-guides/integrations/api/the-bubble-api/authentication.md)\
\
\
**Authentication types**\
The Bubble API lets clients authenticate in different ways:\
\
Article: [Accessing the Bubble API without authentication](/~/changes/oSsRRFoN6bhUP7nqCRaz/help-guides/integrations/api/the-bubble-api/authentication/no-authentication.md)\
Article: [Accessing the Bubble API authenticated as a User](/~/changes/oSsRRFoN6bhUP7nqCRaz/help-guides/integrations/api/the-bubble-api/authentication/as-a-user.md)\
Article: [Accessing the Bubble API authenticated as an admin](/~/changes/oSsRRFoN6bhUP7nqCRaz/help-guides/integrations/api/the-bubble-api/authentication/as-an-admin.md)<br>

**How to set up authentication in the external system**\
The Bubble uses the bearer token method to authenticate clients.

Article: [How to set up authentication in an external app](/~/changes/oSsRRFoN6bhUP7nqCRaz/help-guides/integrations/api/the-bubble-api/authentication/how-to-authenticate.md)

</details>

<details>

<summary>The Data API</summary>

The Data API lets you set up an API in your Bubble application that accepts **incoming** **requests** to search for, read, create, edit and delete entries in your database.\
\
Article series: [The Data API](/~/changes/oSsRRFoN6bhUP7nqCRaz/help-guides/integrations/api/the-bubble-api/the-data-api.md)

</details>

<details>

<summary>The Workflow API</summary>

The Data API lets you set up an API in your Bubble application that accepts **incoming** **requests** to trigger workflows.\
\
Article series: [The Workflow API](/~/changes/oSsRRFoN6bhUP7nqCRaz/help-guides/integrations/api/the-bubble-api/the-workflow-api.md)

</details>

<details>

<summary>The API Connector</summary>

The API Connector lets you connect to external RESTful APIs to trigger workflows or to use as a data source.\
\
Article series: [The API Connector](/~/changes/oSsRRFoN6bhUP7nqCRaz/help-guides/integrations/api/the-api-connector.md)

</details>