The build phase of API management involves designing, configuring, and implementing APIs. It involves orchestrating backend logic, mapping data models, and exposing system interfaces as secure, consumable endpoints.

Full API lifecycle management includes four critical stages: build, secure, socialize, and monitor. Among them, the build phase establishes the foundation by defining how APIs are structured and how they interact with backend services.

However, building APIs that connect systems, apply business rules, and return clean, reliable responses is often fragmented, especially when development, transformation, and publishing require different tools and environments.

Celigo solves this challenge with a unified platform that lets teams build, test, and expose backend APIs from a single interface. By streamlining development and minimizing complexity, Celigo empowers organizations to scale integrations, improve security, and accelerate time-to-value.

In this walkthrough, we’ll explore how Celigo simplifies the build phase of API management, enabling your teams to create powerful APIs that securely and efficiently consolidate data and logic across systems.

This walkthrough focuses on the build phase, where you’ll see how to create and expose APIs that consolidate data and logic across systems using Celigo.

The build phase: API Management video overview

Using Celigo’s API Builder, we’ll demonstrate how to quickly design, configure, and expose a backend API that connects Microsoft Business Central and Shopify.

Step 1: Create the API

From the Celigo homepage, navigate to API Builder, add a name and version, and open the API canvas.

Step 2: Configure API request and response

In the API Request node, define the HTTP method, relative URI, and required request parameters (path, query, etc.).

In the API Response node, configure the expected response codes and output structure for success and error responses.

Step 3: Add business logic

Configure Request Inputs and Transformations

Use the mock API request to provide a sample input.

In the Transformation step, ensure the requested parameters are passed into downstream steps.

Add Lookup for Microsoft Business Central

• Add a lookup step to retrieve inventory from Business Central
• Configure the connection, path, and query parameters
• Map fields like item name, inventory count, and the Shopify product ID to the source record
• Optionally, add input filters to validate incoming requests
• Optionally, configure branching to retrieve data from a secondary system (e.g., NetSuite)

Add Lookup for Shopify

• Add another lookup to fetch pricing from Shopify using the product ID
• Map the pricing field to the source record, needed for the API response

Map the API Response

Use the Mapping in the Response Node to map source fields into the final response structure.

Step 4: Test the API

Click Test API to validate the response using the mock request.

Use an external tool like Postman to test the endpoint with authentication, parameters, and payload inspection.

Celigo logs all request/response activity automatically, including headers, payloads, and error data.

Step 5: Push to API Management

Click Push to APIM and configure the context path, HTTP method, and endpoint path. Celigo generates and pushes the

OpenAPI spec to the API Management console.

In the API Management console, you can:

• Edit metadata and categorize the API
• Access the gateway and backend URLs
• Apply policies in Policy Studio
• Set rate limits and access plans
• Review documentation
• Use Debug mode to inspect API behavior

Note: You can also expose invoke-endpoints from your exports and imports directly, or create a custom API using JavaScript to tailor the response from those endpoints. Once built, you can add the endpoint to an existing API, in the API management console.

Celigo’s API Management

Celigo simplifies the process of turning complex business logic into scalable, secure APIs. From internal workflows to partner-facing services, you can design, build, and manage APIs in one platform—quickly, reliably, and without writing code.

Visit Celigo API Management to learn more.