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Pterodactyl provides two distinct APIs for interacting with the Panel: the Application API and the Client API. Each serves different purposes and has different authentication requirements.

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API Types

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Application API

The Application API is designed for administrative tasks and full system management. It provides complete control over the Panel, including:
  • Managing users, nodes, and locations
  • Creating and modifying servers
  • Managing nests and eggs
  • Allocating resources
  • Database administration
Base URL: /api/application Authentication: Requires an Application API key with specific resource permissions. Use Cases:
  • Billing system integration
  • Automated server provisioning
  • Administrative automation
  • External control panels

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Client API

The Client API allows users to manage their own servers and account settings. It provides:
  • Server power management
  • File management operations
  • Database management for assigned servers
  • Schedule and backup management
  • Account settings and API key management
Base URL: /api/client Authentication: Requires a Client API key or session authentication. Use Cases:
  • Custom control panels
  • Mobile applications
  • Server management tools
  • Automated server tasks

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API Resources

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Application API Resources

The Application API exposes the following main resources:
  • Users (/api/application/users) - User management
  • Nodes (/api/application/nodes) - Node management and configuration
  • Locations (/api/application/locations) - Location management
  • Servers (/api/application/servers) - Server administration
  • Nests (/api/application/nests) - Nest and egg management

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Client API Resources

The Client API provides access to:
  • Account (/api/client/account) - Account settings and API keys
  • Servers (/api/client/servers/{server}) - Individual server management
  • Files - File manager operations
  • Databases - Database management
  • Schedules - Task scheduling
  • Backups - Backup management
  • Network - Allocation management

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Request Format

All API requests must:
  1. Include proper authentication headers
  2. Use JSON for request bodies (where applicable)
  3. Set Content-Type: application/json header
  4. Set Accept: application/json header

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Response Format

All API responses are returned in JSON format with the following structure: 
{
  "object": "list",
  "data": [
    {
      "object": "server",
      "attributes": {
        // Resource attributes
      }
    }
  ],
  "meta": {
    "pagination": {
      "total": 100,
      "count": 50,
      "per_page": 50,
      "current_page": 1,
      "total_pages": 2
    }
  }
}

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Pagination

List endpoints support pagination with the following query parameters:
  • page - The page number to retrieve
  • per_page - Number of items per page (max varies by endpoint)

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Filtering and Includes

Many endpoints support:
  • Filtering: ?filter[field]=value
  • Includes: ?include=subusers,allocations

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Error Handling

See the Errors page for detailed information on error responses.

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Next Steps

Authentication

Learn how to authenticate API requests

Rate Limiting

Understand API rate limits

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