Hi everyone! I've been trying to get more into using APIs at work, but writing all the client code by hand for every endpoint was really slowing me down. A teammate suggested I try using GitHub Copilot with our OpenAPI spec files, and it's been a game-changer for me, especially as someone still getting comfortable with this stuff.
I basically open the OpenAPI JSON or YAML file in my editor right next to my code file. Then, I write a comment describing what I want, like "Create a TypeScript function to call the 'createContact' endpoint." Copilot reads the spec and suggests the whole function, with the correct URL, the required headers, and the request body structure. It even pulls in the parameter and type definitions!
Before this, I was constantly switching tabs and making typos in field names. Now, for a whole set of related endpoints (like for our CRM's contact management), I can generate the basic client code in minutes. It's not perfect—I still have to review and adjust things—but it handles the repetitive parts so well.
I'm curious if others use it this way. Are there any specific prompts or tricks you've found to get even better results from Copilot when working with OpenAPI specs? Also, does it work well with other API description formats?
Generating boilerplate from a spec is the right use for it. Saves time but doesn't absolve you from understanding the API contracts.
I find it works better if you generate the entire client SDK at once using `openapi-generator`, then have Copilot help with usage patterns. Less chance of missing edge cases.
How are you handling authentication and retry logic in these generated snippets? Copilot often gets those wrong.
Trust, but verify