snapshot of https://github.com/mattermost/mattermost.git (master, 2026-09-16; blobs > 131072B omitted)

server/channels/api4/doc.go

@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2015-present Mattermost, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
+// See LICENSE.txt for license information.
+
+/*
+Package api4 implements the HTTP REST API layer for Mattermost server.
+
+This package provides the primary interface between client applications
+(web, mobile, desktop) and the Mattermost server backend. It exposes
+HTTP endpoints that follow REST conventions for managing users, teams,
+channels, posts, and other Mattermost resources.
+
+# Architecture
+
+The API is structured around resource-based endpoints under the /api/v4/ path.
+Each endpoint is handled by specific handler functions that provide different
+levels of authentication and authorization:
+
+  - APIHandler: Public endpoints requiring no authentication
+  - APISessionRequired: Endpoints requiring authenticated user sessions
+  - APISessionRequiredTrustRequester: Authenticated endpoints for trusted requests
+  - CloudAPIKeyRequired: Cloud installation webhook endpoints
+  - RemoteClusterTokenRequired: Remote cluster communication endpoints
+  - APILocal: Local mode access via UNIX socket
+
+# Key Responsibilities
+
+  - Input validation: Validate request parameters and body content
+  - Permission checks: Verify user has required permissions for the operation
+  - HTTP handling: Parse requests, format responses, set appropriate status codes
+  - Error formatting: Convert app layer errors to appropriate HTTP responses
+  - Audit logging: Log security-relevant operations
+
+# Error Handling
+
+The API uses consistent error responses with appropriate HTTP status codes.
+All handlers use the Context object for standardized error reporting and
+audit logging. Errors are returned in a structured JSON format with
+error codes, messages, and additional context when available.
+
+# Security
+
+Security is implemented through multiple layers:
+
+  - Authentication via sessions, tokens, or API keys
+  - Role-based access control and permission checking
+  - CSRF protection through request validation
+  - Rate limiting to prevent abuse
+  - Multi-factor authentication support
+  - Secure session management
+
+The api4 package serves as the HTTP interface layer in Mattermost's
+layered architecture, providing a stable, versioned API for client
+applications while maintaining clear separation from business logic
+and data persistence concerns.
+*/
+package api4