Most APIs expect clients to read the documentation, hardcode routes, and manage fragile logic when changes occur. But what if your API could guide the client through valid actions, just like a user interface guides a user?

In this session, we’ll explore how to enhance your ASP.NET 10 Web API using Hypermedia, the unsung hero of REST. You’ll learn what it means to design APIs that explain themselves, utilizing links and actions embedded in the response to dynamically describe what’s possible next.

We’ll unpack HATEOAS (Hypermedia as the Engine of Application State) from the ground up: what it truly signifies, why it’s powerful, and how to implement it in .NET through real-world examples. You’ll come away understanding how to build APIs that are more discoverable, adaptable, and client-friendly without bloating your codebase or breaking your users.

Who Should Attend:
• ASP.NET Web API developers looking to improve API usability and client flexibility
• Architects and tech leads aiming to evolve API designs without breaking consumers
• Backend engineers exploring REST maturity, HATEOAS, and client-driven workflows
• Anyone building APIs who’s tired of maintaining brittle, tightly coupled documentation

Key Takeaways:
• What Hypermedia is (and what it’s not), and why it matters in REST API design
• How to implement Hypermedia affordably in ASP.NET 10 Web API
• When and where to use HAL, Siren, or custom hypermedia formats
• Real-world examples of making APIs self-descriptive using links and actions
• Strategies to evolve APIs safely by guiding clients through discoverable actions
• Common myths and trade-offs: when Hypermedia helps and when it doesn’t