API Introduction

The Laboperator server offers an extensive HTTP based Application Programming Interface (API). This API is the recommended way of integrating third-party applications with the Laboperator ecosystem.

1. Who should use the API?
2. Standards
3. Data Exchange Format
4. Documentation
5. Authentication

Who should use the API?

The API is the designated point of integration, for any data exchange with the Laboperator ecosystem. Creating, updating, deleting and querying records can - as far as the application allows - all be done using this REST API. All of the endpoints, however, are passive, so any information needs to be actively requested (pull behavior). To be proactively notified about changes or incoming data (push behavior) please refer to the Webhook feature.

Standards

The API uses a set of standards (referenced below) and best practices to make the interaction as easy as possible. Not only are standards a great way of benefitting from the collective experience of a large community that develops these standards, but also for users to rely on a vivid ecosystem of documentation and resources.

Data Exchange Format

The data exchange format is JSON. Some endpoints serve files, such as attachments, in other formats. The response format will always be specified in the response headers.

Starting with version two (v2.x) the API will be fully compliant to the JSON API standard. JSON API is an opinionated standard that specifies how to build JSON based APIs. It defines how message bodies should be formatted for RESTful requests. Head over to their website to find out more. Don't miss out on the large collection of client libraries that the community has produced. They'll help you to get started in the programming language of your choice in no time.

Documentation

All API endpoints are automatically documented following the Open API specification. 

API v2

The latest API v2 documentation is available at https://app.laboperator.com/api/v2/documentation. Note that you need to be logged in to your user account to view the API. 

For private installations of Laboperator, the API v2 documentation for the installed version is available on your server at <host>/api/v2/documentation.

Interactive Playground

If you have an account at https://app.laboperator.com or if your installation is available from your local network you can use the Swagger UI Demo to play around with the API too. 

Just replace the URL in the header (defaults to https://petstore.swagger.io/v2/swagger.json) with the URL to your documentation and add .json to the end of the URL:

API v1

API v1 is deprecated. For more information please check the article on the next major release.

We strongly discourage using API v1 for new projects. If you do need documentation for API v1 please send us a request and provide the Laboperator version for which you need the documentation.

Authentication

All requests against the API need to be authenticated. We use OAuth 2.0 to implement various authentication strategies. All OAuth strategies lead to an Access Token being issued that need to be included in the headers of API requests. Alternatively, requests will be excepted with valid session cookies. This means that while you are logged in to the web application requests to the API from another browser tab will automatically be authenticated.

To learn more about authenticating against the API click here.