Workflowy API Essential Guide

What type of API does Workflowy provide?

Key points about API types:

• REST (Representational State Transfer) APIs are widely used and focus on resources accessed via HTTP methods.
• GraphQL is a query language for APIs that allows clients to request exactly the data they need in a single call.
• SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) uses XML for exchanging structured data between systems.

Considerations for API types:

• REST APIs are relatively simple to implement but may require multiple calls for complex data.
• GraphQL provides more flexibility in data fetching but has a steeper learning curve.
• SOAP is more rigid and verbose but can be useful for enterprise environments requiring formal contracts.

Does the Workflowy API have webhooks?

Based on the search results provided, it does not appear that the official WorkFlowy API currently supports webhooks. The key points are:

1. WorkFlowy recently added integration with Zapier, which allows sending information to WorkFlowy from other apps, but not receiving information from WorkFlowy.

2. There is no mention of official webhook support in the WorkFlowy API in the search results.

3. Many users have been requesting a full API for WorkFlowy for years, with one comment mentioning it has been requested for 7 years.

4. The WorkFlowy team has indicated they are working on making their API more accessible to developers to build things with, but no specific timeline or details were provided.

5. Currently, the Zapier integration only allows sending information to WorkFlowy, not receiving it from WorkFlowy.

While webhooks are not currently supported, the Zapier integration does allow some automation capabilities for sending data into WorkFlowy. However, this is more limited than full webhook support would be.

For the most up-to-date information, it would be best to check WorkFlowy's official documentation or contact their support team directly, as the API capabilities may have changed since these search results were published.

Rate Limits and other limitations

Unfortunately, I do not have specific information about the API rate limits for the Workflowy API. The search results do not contain any details about Workflowy's API rate limits. Without official documentation from Workflowy, I cannot provide accurate information about their API rate limiting policies.

Here are some key points to consider regarding API rate limits in general:

• Many APIs implement rate limiting to prevent abuse and ensure fair usage across users.

• Common rate limit approaches include:

  • Limits per time period (e.g. 1000 requests per hour)
  • Concurrent request limits
  • Tiered limits based on authentication level or account type

• Rate limits are often communicated via HTTP headers in API responses.

• Best practices for working with rate limits include:

  • Checking limit headers and backing off when approaching limits
  • Implementing retries with exponential backoff for rate limit errors
  • Caching data where possible to reduce API calls
  • Optimizing requests to minimize API usage

• For mission-critical applications, you may need to contact the API provider about increased rate limits.

To get accurate information about Workflowy's specific API rate limits, I would recommend:

1. Checking Workflowy's official API documentation
2. Contacting Workflowy support directly
3. Experimenting with the API to observe any rate limiting behavior

Without official details, it's best to implement conservative rate limiting on your end to avoid potential issues. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!

Latest API Version

Based on the search results provided, there is no specific information about the most recent version of the WorkFlowy API. However, I can provide some relevant information about the WorkFlowy API and its usage:

Current API Functionality

The WorkFlowy API currently allows users to send content to WorkFlowy, but does not yet support sending content from WorkFlowy to other applications [1]. The API can be used through integrations like Zapier to connect third-party apps to WorkFlowy [1].

API Key Usage

To use the WorkFlowy API, you need to obtain an API key:

1. Visit https://workflowy.com/api-key
2. Generate the WorkFlowy API key and copy it
3. Use this API key when connecting to WorkFlowy through integrations like Zapier [1]

Node.js and Deno Client

There is a WorkFlowy client available for Node.js and Deno, which provides programmatic access to WorkFlowy lists. The current version of this client package is 2.1.0, published 8 months ago [2]. This client allows users to:

• Read and update WorkFlowy lists
• Export lists to JSON or formatted plain text
• Perform basic searches of items in lists
• Support live copies (mirrors) [2]

API Limitations

It's worth noting that the WorkFlowy API has some limitations:

• Authentication via one-time code or two-factor authentication is not supported due to technical limitations of the WorkFlowy API [2]
• There is a rate limit of 100 new bullets created per minute when using integrations like Zapier [1]

Best Practices

When using the WorkFlowy API, consider the following best practices:

1. Keep your API key secure and do not share it with others [1]
2. Be mindful of rate limits when creating integrations [1]
3. Use appropriate permissions when working with shared nodes [1]
4. Check for updates and new features regularly, as the API functionality may expand over time

While the search results don't provide information on the most recent version of the WorkFlowy API itself, they do offer insights into its current capabilities and usage. For the most up-to-date information, it's recommended to check the official WorkFlowy documentation or contact their support team.

How to get a Workflowy developer account and API Keys?

To get a developer account for WorkFlowy to create an API integration, you can follow these steps:

Get an API Key

1. Visit the WorkFlowy API key page: https://workflowy.com/api-key

2. Log in to your WorkFlowy account if you haven't already.

3. Generate a new API key by clicking the "Generate" button.

4. Copy the generated API key. This will be used to authenticate your integration.

Key Points to Consider

• The API key won't expire, but you should keep it secure and not share it with others to protect your account.

• Currently, the WorkFlowy API integration is primarily designed to send content to WorkFlowy, not retrieve data from it.

• The integration is set up through Zapier, which allows you to connect WorkFlowy with thousands of other applications.

Best Practices

• Store your API key securely and don't hardcode it directly in your application code.

• Be mindful of rate limits - Zapier can only send a maximum of 100 new bullets every minute to WorkFlowy.

• If you're building a custom integration outside of Zapier, you may need to reverse-engineer the API as WorkFlowy doesn't currently provide full public API documentation.

Additional Notes

• While this process gives you access to create integrations via Zapier, WorkFlowy does not currently offer a fully public API for developers. Many users have requested this feature, and WorkFlowy has mentioned they are working on making their API more accessible to other developers.

• For more advanced usage or custom integrations, you may need to explore unofficial libraries or methods to interact with WorkFlowy programmatically.

Remember that the API integration capabilities are currently limited, and full API access is a highly requested feature that WorkFlowy may expand in the future.

What can you do with the Workflowy API?

Based on the search results, here are the key data models you can interact with using the Workflowy API:

• Bullets

  • Create new bullets
  • Specify content for bullets and their notes
  • Choose save location for new bullets

• API Key

  • Generate and manage API keys for authentication

• Save Location URL

  • Get and use URLs to specify where new bullets should be saved

The API allows you to:

• Create new bullets/items in Workflowy
• Specify the content and notes for those bullets
• Choose where in your Workflowy structure to save new bullets
• Authenticate using API keys
• Interact with shared nodes (with proper permissions)

Some key points:

• The API is primarily for sending content to Workflowy, not retrieving data
• It has a rate limit of 100 new bullets per minute
• It can be integrated with services like Zapier to connect Workflowy to thousands of other apps
• Apple Shortcuts integration is also available for quick capture on iOS/macOS

The API seems focused on adding new content to Workflowy rather than manipulating or retrieving existing data. The main data model is the bullet/item, with the ability to specify its content, location, and metadata like notes.