// reference

Glossary for API builders

Plain-language definitions for the terms behind APIs and workflow automation, from webhooks to rate limits.

Jump to letter A G M O R U W

// A

Access Token

An access token is a temporary credential an app uses to call an API on your behalf, issued after you approve access through an OAuth consent screen.

API

An API is a way for two programs to talk to each other: one sends a request over the web, the other answers in a structured format like JSON.

API Key

An API key is a secret token that identifies and authorizes an application or user when calling an API.

// G

Graph API

The Instagram Graph API is the part of Meta's Graph API that covers Instagram: the official way for software to publish posts and read insights on professional accounts.

// M

MCP

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard that lets AI assistants like Claude discover and use external tools, such as a social publishing API.

Media Container

A media container is Instagram's staging object for API publishing: you create a container from your media first, then publish it in a second call.

// O

OAuth

OAuth is the authorization standard behind 'Allow this app to access your account' screens: you grant access without ever sharing your password.

// R

Rate Limit

A rate limit caps how many requests you can send to an API in a given time window. Go over it and the API answers 429: too many requests.

// U

Unified API

A unified API puts one consistent interface in front of several providers' APIs, so you integrate once instead of once per platform.

// W

Webhook

A webhook is an HTTP callback: a URL a service calls automatically when an event happens, so your system reacts in real time.