Cluster C2: API Debugging
OpenAPI debugging workflow checklist
Many API bugs are contract alignment issues between spec, client, and service behavior. A repeatable debugging checklist helps teams isolate whether the mismatch is in path params, payload schema, auth config, or response assumptions.
Debug in this order
- Confirm the exact OpenAPI operation and expected request shape.
- Replay request with deterministic tooling and capture raw headers/body.
- Compare actual response code and schema against documented contract.
- Patch either spec or implementation, then re-run contract checks.
Practical input/output example
Input
spec: POST /orders -> 201 actual: POST /orders -> 200
Output
contract mismatch found action: align response status in service or spec