A private API is an interface intended for internal use, such as by your own front end, admin tools, or trusted services. Unlike a public API, a private API can evolve faster because it is not a long-term contract with external developers. Even so, private APIs still require discipline because they often power critical production flows.
Why Teams Use Private APIs
Private APIs help you keep system boundaries clean. They allow services to communicate and they give internal tools programmatic access to templates, tenant configuration, or operational actions. A private API is often paired with an email API surface, but with additional internal endpoints for debugging, migration, or bulk operations.
Security and Authorization Still Matter
“Private” does not mean “safe by default.” Your private API must enforce authorization consistently, especially in multi-tenant environments. Internal tools often have elevated privileges, which increases risk if tokens leak or permissions are misconfigured. Use narrow scopes, rotate credentials, and require explicit tenant context for write operations.
Auditing, Limits, and Operational Control
Treat internal bulk jobs like external clients: queue work, cap concurrency, and make operations resumable. If a migration fails halfway through, you should be able to continue without duplicating actions or corrupting tenant data.
Because private APIs can perform powerful actions, traceability is essential. Maintain audit logs so you can investigate incidents and answer compliance questions. Private endpoints should also respect API rate limits and capacity planning, even if limits are higher than public ones. A runaway internal job can take down a system just as easily as external abuse.
Private API and Topol
Topol supports developer-centric workflows where internal services and tools can safely manage templates and editor output, making it easier to run reliable operations at scale. Learn more at Topol or create an account at Topol signup.