API
A way for two apps to talk to each other.
What is API?
API stands for Application Programming Interface. When your app sends an email via Resend, checks a payment via Stripe, or saves data to Supabase — it's talking to their API. Think of it as a waiter: you tell the waiter what you want, they go to the kitchen (the service) and bring back what you asked for.
You don't need to build APIs to use vibe coding tools. But understanding that your app "calls APIs" helps when reading error messages and debugging.
In Vibe Coding
Every integration in vibe coding uses APIs. Lovable connecting to Supabase? API. Cursor calling OpenAI? API. Your app sending emails through Resend? API. You don't build APIs — you use them.
Example
For example: You want your app to show the weather. You sign up for a weather API, get an API key, and your app asks the API "what's the weather in New York?" The API responds with the data.