Invoke Web API

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Overview

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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

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How to Configure Web API Calls

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Add the Action

1. In the Actions tab, click “Add action”
2. Select the “Advanced” category
3. Choose “Invoke Web API”

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Configuration Fields

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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

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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

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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

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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: {“text”: “Hello world!”}. 
  • When using GET requests (just retrieving information), you typically leave this empty.
  • The API’s documentation will specify exactly what format to use
• Required: No

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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

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Using API Responses

• {{variable_name.property}} 
• {{variable_name.nested.property}}

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Example: RESTful API Example Agent

1. Step 1: Collects a research focus from the user
2. Step 3: Makes a REST API call to a government grants database with these keywords
3. Step 5: Presents the information to the user as a formatted output