API Improvements

This chapter documents the improvements and best practices implemented in the API layer of SensayHacks.

Environment Variables

Security Improvements

• Moved sensitive configuration from hardcoded values to environment variables

• SENSAY_REPLICA_ID is now a required environment variable

• SENSAY_ORGANIZATION_SECRET is securely stored in environment variables

• Added signing key for webhooks in 1Password for GitHub request verification

Runtime vs Build-time Configuration

We improved the handling of environment variables by moving checks to runtime:

// Before (build-time error)
const SENSAY_REPLICA_ID = process.env.SENSAY_REPLICA_ID;
if (!SENSAY_REPLICA_ID) {
    throw new Error('SENSAY_REPLICA_ID is required');
}

// After (runtime check)
export async function POST(req: Request) {
    const SENSAY_REPLICA_ID = process.env.SENSAY_REPLICA_ID;
    if (!SENSAY_REPLICA_ID) {
        return new Response('SENSAY_REPLICA_ID is required', { status: 500 });
    }
    // ... rest of the handler
}

This change prevents build failures while maintaining the requirement for the environment variable.

API Routes

Sensay Test Route

• Location: /api/sensay-test/route.ts

• Purpose: Test endpoint for verifying Sensay API connectivity

• Improvements:

  • Added runtime environment variable validation

  • Enhanced error handling

  • Added request validation

Chat Route

• Location: /api/sensay/chat/route.ts

• Purpose: Production endpoint for the Task Memory prototype

• Improvements:

  • Moved TARGET_REPLICA_UUID check to runtime

  • Enhanced error messages

  • Added request validation

  • Improved response handling

Error Handling

Standardized Error Responses

All API routes now follow a consistent error response format:

interface ErrorResponse {
    error: {
        message: string;
        code: string;
        details?: any;
    }
}

HTTP Status Codes

• 400: Bad Request (invalid input)

• 401: Unauthorized (missing authentication)

• 403: Forbidden (insufficient permissions)

• 500: Internal Server Error (missing configuration)

• 503: Service Unavailable (Sensay API unreachable)

Future Improvements

Planned Enhancements

1. Add request rate limiting

2. Implement API versioning

3. Add comprehensive request logging

4. Implement caching for appropriate endpoints

5. Add API documentation using OpenAPI/Swagger

Security Roadmap

1. Add API key rotation mechanism

2. Implement request signing for all endpoints

3. Add IP whitelisting capability

4. Enhance monitoring and alerting