The Robin API is a RESTful interface that allows developers to programmatically manage meeting rooms, bookings, devices, and space utilization data. It supports integration with calendar platforms, workplace tools, and facility software to enable automated room scheduling, real-time availability, and space analytics. This guide explains core capabilities, authentication models, endpoint patterns, webhooks, error handling, and production best practices for the Robin API.
What the Robin API does and who benefits
Organizations use the Robin API to connect room scheduling systems with existing workplace tools. The API supports calendar integrations, automated check-ins, space utilization reporting, and real-time room status. Typical users include developers building internal workplace apps, IT operations teams automating room management, and facilities analysts optimizing space usage. Because endpoints follow REST conventions and responses are JSON, the Robin API works with modern application stacks and serverless functions alike.
Authentication models and access control
Robin API requests require authentication using either an OAuth 2.0 access token or an API key, depending on integration context. For user-delegated actions, such as creating bookings on behalf of individuals, OAuth 2.0 with scoped permissions is recommended. For server-to-server tasks like reading room status or syncing space data, an API key with carefully restricted scopes and IP allowlists provides controlled access. Tokens must be included in the Authorization header, and tokens with minimal scopes and short lifetimes reduce risk in production environments.
Comparing authentication options
| Method | Use case | Lifetime | Scoping |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAuth 2.0 access token | User actions, calendar sync | Hours to days | Per-endpoint scopes |
| API key | Server reads, integrations | Long-lived, rotate periodically | Organization-level scopes |
Core endpoints and typical workflows
The Robin API organizes resources around rooms, bookings, devices, and organizations. Common resources include endpoints for listing rooms, querying availability, creating and modifying bookings, and managing check-in devices. Standard HTTP methods define actions: GET for reads, POST for creates, PATCH or PUT for updates, and DELETE for cancellations. Webhooks can notify your system about booking changes, check-in events, and room status updates, reducing the need for frequent polling.
Resource examples
- /rooms: list rooms, filter by organization or custom attributes
- /bookings: create, update, delete reservations with conflict detection
- /devices: register and manage hardware endpoints for check-in
- /availability: time-slot queries respecting policies and maintenance
Key parameters, filters, and response fields
Most list endpoints support filters, pagination, and field selection to reduce payload size. Typical query parameters include organization_id, start_time, end_time, and include_inactive. Pagination uses cursor-based navigation with limit and optional next tokens. Successful responses return JSON with resource state and metadata, while error responses include codes and descriptions aligned with RFC 7807 problem details for consistent handling.
Rate limits, quotas, and resilience
The Robin API enforces rate limits per authenticated context to protect stability. Clients should respect Retry-After headers, implement exponential backoff, and use idempotent request patterns where possible. For high-availability, design integrations to handle transient errors, maintain idempotency keys for critical operations, and monitor quota usage. If your integration regularly approaches limits, contact the Robin platform team to discuss higher-tier allowances.
Webhooks and real-time updates
Webhooks provide near real-time notifications for events such as booking_created, booking_cancelled, device_checked_in, and room_updated. Configure webhook endpoints with a public URL and validate signatures to ensure authenticity. Design consumers to be idempotent, verify event types, and persist processed event identifiers to avoid duplicate handling. If webhook delivery fails, use the timeline and retry settings in the dashboard or the events endpoint to reprocess missed changes.
Data models and field references
Understanding resource schemas improves integration robustness. Common fields in room and booking objects include identifiers, display names, capacities, time zones, metadata for custom attributes, and timestamps in UTC. Always validate server time against timezone metadata when computing local start and end times. Versioned release notes and updated schema definitions help you anticipate changes as the platform evolves.
Operational best practices and versioning
Treat the Robin API as a stable but evolving platform: use semantic versioning paths in integration code, pin SDK versions where applicable, and monitor deprecation notices. Log request and response payloads for auditability, implement health checks for connected apps, and define clear ownership for API consumers within your organization. Sandbox environments and scoped test tokens enable safe development before production rollouts.