What is API Access?
API (Application Programming Interface) Access in Transfer-PCM allows you to programmatically interact with the platform. You can create transfers, manage files, retrieve analytics, and automate your file sharing workflows using code instead of the web interface.
How to Access API Features
- Account Settings: Go to "Account" → "API" in your account menu
- API Documentation: Access detailed API documentation
- Direct URL: Navigate to /account/api in your browser
- Developer Portal: Visit the developer documentation site
How to Use API Access
Getting Your API Key
To start using the API:
- Go to your account API settings
- Click "Generate API Key" or "Create New Key"
- Copy your API key (keep it secure)
- Use the key in your API requests
API Key Management
Manage your API keys securely:
Key Actions
- View Key: See your current API key
- Regenerate Key: Create a new API key (invalidates old one)
- Key Permissions: Set what the API key can access
- Key Expiration: Set when the key expires (optional)
Security Best Practices
- Keep Secret: Never share your API key publicly
- Environment Variables: Store keys in environment variables
- Regular Rotation: Regenerate keys periodically
- Limited Permissions: Only grant necessary permissions
Making API Requests
Basic structure for API requests:
Authentication
- Header Method: Include API key in request headers
- Format: Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY
- Content Type: application/json for most requests
Request Examples
- GET Requests: Retrieve data (transfers, analytics, etc.)
- POST Requests: Create new resources (transfers, files)
- PUT Requests: Update existing resources
- DELETE Requests: Remove resources
API Features
Transfer Management
Manage transfers programmatically:
Create Transfers
- Upload Files: Upload files and create transfers
- Transfer Settings: Set name, description, expiration
- Custom URLs: Generate custom transfer URLs
- Password Protection: Add passwords to transfers
Manage Transfers
- List Transfers: Get all your transfers
- Update Transfers: Modify transfer settings
- Delete Transfers: Remove transfers
- Transfer Details: Get detailed transfer information
File Management
File Operations
- Upload Files: Upload files to transfers
- Download Files: Download files from transfers
- File Information: Get file metadata
- File Deletion: Remove files from transfers
File Analytics
- Download Stats: Track file download statistics
- File Performance: Monitor file performance
- Usage Analytics: Get detailed usage reports
Analytics and Reporting
Data Retrieval
- Transfer Analytics: Get transfer performance data
- Download Statistics: Track download patterns
- User Analytics: Monitor user behavior
- Geographic Data: Get location-based analytics
Report Generation
- Custom Reports: Generate custom analytics reports
- Data Export: Export data in various formats
- Scheduled Reports: Automate report generation
What to Expect
API Response Format
- All responses are in JSON format
- Consistent error handling across all endpoints
- Rate limiting to prevent abuse
- Real-time data updates
Performance
- Fast response times for most requests
- Asynchronous processing for large uploads
- Webhook support for real-time notifications
- Reliable uptime and availability
Rate Limits
- Rate limits based on your plan
- Clear rate limit headers in responses
- Graceful handling of rate limit exceeded
- Different limits for different endpoints
API Endpoints
Transfer Endpoints
Manage your file transfers:
Create Transfer
- Endpoint: POST /api/transfers
- Purpose: Create a new file transfer
- Parameters: Name, description, files, settings
- Response: Transfer details and URL
List Transfers
- Endpoint: GET /api/transfers
- Purpose: Get all your transfers
- Parameters: Pagination, filtering, sorting
- Response: List of transfers with metadata
Get Transfer
- Endpoint: GET /api/transfers/{id}
- Purpose: Get specific transfer details
- Parameters: Transfer ID
- Response: Complete transfer information
Update Transfer
- Endpoint: PUT /api/transfers/{id}
- Purpose: Update transfer settings
- Parameters: Transfer ID, updated fields
- Response: Updated transfer details
Delete Transfer
- Endpoint: DELETE /api/transfers/{id}
- Purpose: Remove a transfer
- Parameters: Transfer ID
- Response: Success confirmation
File Endpoints
Manage files within transfers:
Upload File
- Endpoint: POST /api/transfers/{id}/files
- Purpose: Upload file to transfer
- Parameters: Transfer ID, file data
- Response: File details and download URL
List Files
- Endpoint: GET /api/transfers/{id}/files
- Purpose: Get all files in transfer
- Parameters: Transfer ID
- Response: List of files with metadata
Download File
- Endpoint: GET /api/files/{id}/download
- Purpose: Download specific file
- Parameters: File ID
- Response: File content or download URL
Analytics Endpoints
Retrieve analytics data:
Transfer Analytics
- Endpoint: GET /api/transfers/{id}/analytics
- Purpose: Get transfer performance data
- Parameters: Transfer ID, date range
- Response: Analytics data and metrics
User Analytics
- Endpoint: GET /api/analytics/user
- Purpose: Get user-level analytics
- Parameters: Date range, metrics
- Response: User performance data
API Authentication
Authentication Methods
Secure your API access:
API Key Authentication
- Header Method: Include API key in Authorization header
- Format: Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY
- Security: Keys are encrypted and secure
- Rotation: Regular key rotation recommended
OAuth 2.0 (if available)
- Token-based: Use OAuth tokens for authentication
- Scopes: Define specific permissions
- Refresh Tokens: Automatic token refresh
- Security: Industry-standard security
Error Handling
HTTP Status Codes
- 200 OK: Request successful
- 201 Created: Resource created successfully
- 400 Bad Request: Invalid request parameters
- 401 Unauthorized: Invalid or missing API key
- 403 Forbidden: Insufficient permissions
- 404 Not Found: Resource not found
- 429 Too Many Requests: Rate limit exceeded
- 500 Internal Server Error: Server error
Error Response Format
- JSON Format: All errors return JSON
- Error Code: Specific error identifier
- Error Message: Human-readable error description
- Error Details: Additional error information
Common Issues and Tips
API Setup Issues
- Invalid API Key: Check key format and validity
- Authentication Errors: Verify API key in headers
- Rate Limiting: Implement exponential backoff
- Network Issues: Handle connection timeouts
API Usage Tips
- Always include proper error handling
- Implement retry logic for failed requests
- Cache responses when appropriate
- Monitor API usage and rate limits
- Keep API keys secure and rotate regularly
Best Practices
- Use HTTPS for all API requests
- Implement proper logging for debugging
- Handle pagination for large datasets
- Validate input data before sending
- Test API calls in development environment
API Documentation
Interactive Documentation
- Swagger/OpenAPI: Interactive API documentation
- Code Examples: Examples in multiple languages
- SDK Libraries: Official SDKs for popular languages
- Postman Collection: Pre-configured API requests
Code Examples
Examples in popular programming languages:
JavaScript/Node.js
- Fetch API: Modern JavaScript requests
- Axios: Popular HTTP client library
- Node.js SDK: Official Node.js library
Python
- Requests Library: Simple HTTP requests
- Python SDK: Official Python library
- Async Support: Asynchronous API calls
PHP
- cURL: Native PHP HTTP requests
- Guzzle: Popular PHP HTTP client
- PHP SDK: Official PHP library
Webhooks
Webhook Setup
Receive real-time notifications:
Webhook Configuration
- Webhook URL: Your endpoint to receive notifications
- Events: Choose which events to receive
- Security: Webhook signature verification
- Retry Logic: Automatic retry for failed deliveries
Webhook Events
- transfer.created: New transfer created
- transfer.updated: Transfer modified
- transfer.deleted: Transfer removed
- file.uploaded: New file uploaded
- file.downloaded: File downloaded
Webhook Security
- Signature Verification: Verify webhook authenticity
- HTTPS Required: All webhook endpoints must use HTTPS
- Secret Key: Use secret key for signature verification
- Rate Limiting: Webhook delivery rate limits
API Limits and Plans
Plan Features
- Free Plans: Limited API access
- Premium Plans: Enhanced API features
- Enterprise Plans: Unlimited API access
API Limits
- Rate Limits: Requests per minute/hour
- File Size Limits: Maximum file size for uploads
- Transfer Limits: Number of transfers per day
- Webhook Limits: Webhook delivery limits
API Support
Getting Help
- API Documentation: Comprehensive API guides
- Code Examples: Sample code in multiple languages
- Developer Support: Technical support for developers
- Community Forum: Developer community discussions
Development Resources
- SDK Libraries: Official SDKs for popular languages
- Postman Collection: Pre-configured API requests
- GitHub Examples: Open-source code examples
- Video Tutorials: Step-by-step API tutorials