Second-degree user experience is the most overlooked aspect of API design

When designing an API, most teams focus exclusively on the Developer Experience (DX). But there is a deeper, more critical layer: the second-degree user experience. This is the experience of the end-users who interact with the applications built on top of your API.

I always advocate for looking beyond the developer and understanding the end-user’s journey. An API isn’t just a bridge for code; it’s the foundation for the final user’s experience.

—Pedro, B. (2024), Building an API Product (p. 30), Packt Publishing