componentsAPI

componentsAPI is a standardized interface that exposes a catalog of reusable software components used in design systems and component-based applications. It provides discovery, versioning, rendering guidance, and metadata to enable automated tooling and dynamic composition.

Core concepts include components (the units themselves), metadata (id, name, author, license), versioning (semantic versions and changelogs), props and slots (input points), rendering instructions, dependencies, and accessibility notes.

Implementation typically relies on REST or GraphQL. Common endpoints include GET /components, GET /components/{id}, and GET /components/{id}/versions. Authentication is usually via API keys or OAuth. Data is commonly JSON.

Usage scenarios cover design tools syncing with the component catalog, frontend apps dynamically assembling UIs, and CI pipelines validating compatibility and licensing.

Governance covers versioning policies, deprecation timelines, breaking-change rules, and security checks. Proper documentation and typings help prevent misuse and ensure stable integrations.

See also: design system, component-driven development, design tokens, micro-frontend.