---
name: add-api-route
description: >-
  Add a new authenticated API route under pages/api/. Use when you need to
  expose a new server endpoint to the client, scaffold an admin-only route, or
  add a CRUD method to an existing resource. Walks through file placement,
  auth, validation, DB access, and error handling for the tcg-vault stack.
---

# Add an API route

`pages/api/<path>.js` becomes `/api/<path>`. Dynamic segments use `[name]` folder/file naming.

## Step 1: Decide the path

| Pattern | Example | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Resource collection | `pages/api/decks.js` → `/api/decks` | GET list, POST create |
| Single resource | `pages/api/decks/[id].js` → `/api/decks/:id` | GET, PUT, DELETE |
| Sub-resource | `pages/api/decks/[id]/cards.js` | GET, POST |
| Action | `pages/api/cards/find-or-create.js` | POST, RPC-style |

## Step 2: Pick the auth pattern

| Use case | Wrapper |
| --- | --- |
| Generic logged-in user | `getUserFromRequest(req)` inline |
| Collection-scoped op | `withCollectionPermission('viewer'\|'editor'\|'owner')` |
| Admin-only | inline `if (user.role !== 'admin') return res.status(403)` |

## Step 3: Skeleton

```js
import { sql } from '@vercel/postgres';
import { getUserFromRequest } from '../../lib/permission-middleware';

export default async function handler(req, res) {
  // 1. Method gate
  if (!['GET', 'POST'].includes(req.method)) {
    return res.status(405).json({ error: 'Method not allowed' });
  }

  try {
    // 2. Auth
    const user = await getUserFromRequest(req);
    if (!user || !req.headers.authorization) {
      // Guard against the known dev-fallback bug; require real Bearer token.
      return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Authentication required' });
    }

    if (req.method === 'GET') {
      const { rows } = await sql`
        SELECT id, name FROM example_table WHERE user_id = ${user.userId}
      `;
      return res.status(200).json({ items: rows });
    }

    // 3. Validate body
    const { name } = req.body || {};
    if (!name || typeof name !== 'string' || name.trim().length === 0) {
      return res.status(400).json({ error: 'name is required' });
    }

    // 4. Mutation
    const { rows } = await sql`
      INSERT INTO example_table (user_id, name)
      VALUES (${user.userId}, ${name.trim()})
      RETURNING id, name
    `;

    return res.status(201).json({ item: rows[0] });
  } catch (err) {
    console.error('[example handler]', err);
    return res.status(500).json({ error: 'Internal server error' });
  }
}
```

## Step 4: Wire the client

Use `fetch` with the auth header pattern from existing pages:

```js
const token = localStorage.getItem('auth_token');
const res = await fetch('/api/example', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {
    'Content-Type': 'application/json',
    Authorization: `Bearer ${token}`,
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({ name }),
});
```

## Step 5: Check

- [ ] Method gate is the first thing in the handler.
- [ ] Auth check requires both `getUserFromRequest` AND `req.headers.authorization` (until the middleware bug is fixed).
- [ ] All inputs validated.
- [ ] Tagged-template SQL only (no `db.query(...)`).
- [ ] try/catch wraps the whole body.
- [ ] If the route mutates a collection: call `logCollectionActivity`.
- [ ] Add a Convoy entry if the route is new functionality (vs. a bug fix).

## Anti-patterns

| Don't | Do |
| --- | --- |
| `db.query(\`SELECT … \${userInput}\`)` | `await sql\`SELECT … \${userInput}\`` |
| Forget the method gate | Always declare which methods are allowed |
| Return `res.json(err.message)` in catch | Generic message; log details server-side |
| `SELECT *` from `cards` | Project narrow columns |
| Add another `/api/test-*` endpoint | Use a real test runner once one's adopted |
