lc:api-docs

API Documentation Generator

Generate API documentation by analyzing route definitions, controller methods, form request validation rules, and response structures.

Subcommands

Subcommand	Description
(no argument)	Generate documentation for all API routes.
all	Same as no argument -- document all API routes.
[route-prefix]	Document only routes matching the given prefix (e.g., api/v1/properties).

This is a generator skill -- it produces documentation output.

Process

Step 1: Collect API Routes

1. Use Read to load routes/api.php and any included route files.

2. Use Bash to get the full route list from Laravel (if Docker is available):

   docker exec {container} php artisan route:list --json --path=api
   

3. If Docker is unavailable, parse route files manually to extract:

   • HTTP method (GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE)
   • URI pattern (e.g., /api/v1/properties/{property})
   • Route name
   • Controller and method
   • Middleware applied

4. If a [route-prefix] argument is provided, filter routes to only those matching the prefix.

Step 2: Analyze Each Endpoint

For each API route, use Read to load the controller and extract:

A. Request Details

1. URL parameters: Extract from route definition ({property}, {id})
2. Query parameters: Look for $request->query(), $request->input() in GET handlers
3. Request body: Look for:
   • Form Request class (in method signature) -> read its rules() method
   • $request->validate([...]) inline validation
   • $request->input('field') or $request->only([...]) for expected fields
4. Headers: Check for custom header requirements in middleware or controller

B. Validation Rules

For each validated field, extract:

• Field name
• Rules (required, string, max:255, etc.)
• Type derived from rules (string, integer, boolean, array, file)
• Whether the field is required or optional

C. Response Structure

Analyze the controller method's return statements:

• return response()->json($data) -> extract $data structure
• return new JsonResource($model) -> read the resource class's toArray() method
• return Model::collection($models) -> read the resource collection
• HTTP status codes used (200, 201, 204, 404, 422)

D. Authentication & Authorization

• Middleware: auth:sanctum, auth:api, or custom auth middleware
• Policy checks: $this->authorize(), Gate::allows()
• Scoped to specific user/organization

Step 3: Generate Documentation

Output structured markdown documentation:

# API Documentation

## Authentication

All API endpoints require authentication via Bearer token (Laravel Sanctum).

Include the token in the `Authorization` header:

Authorization: Bearer {your-api-token}

---

## Properties

### List Properties

`GET /api/v1/properties`

**Query Parameters:**

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|-----------|------|----------|-------------|
| page | integer | No | Page number for pagination |
| per_page | integer | No | Items per page (default: 15) |
| search | string | No | Search by name or reference |
| status | string | No | Filter by status (active, draft, archived) |

**Response (200):**

```json
{
    "data": [
        {
            "id": 1,
            "name": "Beach Villa",
            "reference": "AB0012",
            "status": "active",
            "price": 450000,
            "created_at": "2026-01-15T10:30:00Z"
        }
    ],
    "meta": {
        "current_page": 1,
        "last_page": 5,
        "per_page": 15,
        "total": 72
    }
}

---

Create Property

POST /api/v1/properties

Request Body:

Field	Type	Required	Rules
name	string	Yes	max:255
address	string	Yes	max:500
price	decimal	Yes	min:0
status	string	No	in:active,draft

Response (201):

{
    "data": {
        "id": 73,
        "name": "New Property",
        "reference": "AB0073",
        "status": "draft"
    }
}

Error Response (422):

{
    "message": "The given data was invalid.",
    "errors": {
        "name": ["The name field is required."],
        "price": ["The price must be at least 0."]
    }
}

### Step 4: Include Example Requests

For each endpoint, generate example curl commands:

```bash
# List properties
curl -X GET "https://api.example.com/api/v1/properties?page=1&status=active" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer {token}" \
  -H "Accept: application/json"

# Create property
curl -X POST "https://api.example.com/api/v1/properties" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer {token}" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"name": "Beach Villa", "address": "123 Coast Rd", "price": 450000}'

Step 5: Output

Present the full documentation as formatted markdown in the response. If the user wants to save it to a file, offer to write it to a specified location (e.g., docs/api.md), but do not create files unless asked.

Notes

• This generates documentation from code analysis, not runtime inspection.
• Response structures are inferred from the code. Actual responses may vary.
• If API Resources (JsonResource) are used, read the toArray() method for accurate response structures.
• For Eloquent API Resources, also check $hidden and $visible on the model.
• Polymorphic responses (different structures based on conditions) are noted but may not be fully documented.
• Webhook endpoints may have different authentication (e.g., signature verification instead of Bearer tokens).