Overview
The Invoke Web API action allows your agents to make RESTful API calls to external systems and services. This enables access to third-party data sources, submission of information to web services, and integration with existing infrastructure.Use Cases
- External Data Retrieval: Connect to public or private APIs to fetch real-time data
- Data Querying: Search external databases or services using specific parameters
- Third-Party Integrations: Access services that expose information via REST APIs
- Enriching Workflows: Incorporate external data sources into your agent’s processing
How to Configure Web API Calls
Add the Action
- In the Actions drawer, click “Add action”
- Select the “Workflow and Logic” category
- Choose “Invoke Web API”
Configuration Fields
URL
- Description: Enter the web address of the API you want to connect to (this information should be provided in the API documentation)
- Example: https://api.nasa.gov/planetary/apod?api_key=DEMO_KEY
- Required: Yes
Method
- Description: Choose how you want to interact with the API
- Options:
- GET: Retrieve information (most common)
- POST: Send information to create something new
- PUT: Update existing information
- HEAD: Check if a resource exists without retrieving it
- Required: Yes
Headers (JSON)
- Description: Think of these as your “ID card” when talking to an API..
- Example: Many APIs need to know who you are before giving you information. For instance, for the X (Twitter) API, you’d need:
{"Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN"}
. The API’s documentation will usually tell you exactly what to put here. - Required: No
Body (JSON)
- Description: This is the information you want to send to the API.
- Only needed when you’re sending data (POST or PUT methods).
- Example: when posting a tweet with the X API, you’d include:
-
body:
- When using GET requests (just retrieving information), you typically leave this empty.
- The API’s documentation will specify exactly what format to use
-
body:
- Required: No
Output Variable Name
- Description: Assign a variable name to store the API response.
- Example: “api_response” or “rest_data.”
- Validation: Only letters, numbers, and underscores (_) are allowed.
- Required: Yes
Using API Responses
The API response will be stored in your specified output variable. You can access specific data points using dot notation:{{variable_name.property}}
{{variable_name.nested.property}}
Example: RESTful API Example Agent
See this simple Grant Search Agent that demonstrates API usage:- Step 1: Collects a research focus from the user
- Step 3: Makes a REST API call to a government grants database with these keywords
- Step 5: Presents the information to the user as a formatted output