Robin API is a RESTful interface that enables programmatic access to brokerage functionality, connecting applications to trading, accounts, and market data. Implemented over HTTPS, it supports authentication via OAuth2 and API keys and returns JSON responses with predictable resource paths. Common use cases include automated order execution, portfolio management dashboards, and price alerts built on secure, idempotent requests. This guide explains endpoints, rate limits, error formats, webhook payloads, and practical integration steps so you can plan, test, and maintain reliable integrations. With a focus on clarity and compatibility, the details below remain broadly relevant as provider capabilities evolve and teams standardize integrations.
Core Concepts and Architecture
The Robin API is designed as a resource-oriented API over HTTPS, using standard HTTP methods to create, read, update, and delete entities such as orders, accounts, and instruments. Endpoints typically follow nouns representing domain objects, while query parameters control filtering, sorting, and pagination. Versioning is handled through a URI prefix or an API-version header, enabling backward compatibility and controlled rollouts. Responses include HTTP status codes and a JSON body with either the requested data or structured error details. Clients should treat version changes as backward-incompatible and plan for schema evolution through robust parsing and testing.
Key Architectural Ideas
- Resource-oriented design with predictable paths (e.g., /v1/orders, /v1/accounts)
- Standard HTTP verbs (GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE) aligned with CRUD actions
- JSON payloads with consistent field naming and typed values
- Versioning via URI or headers to manage change management
Authentication and Security
Authentication is typically handled through OAuth 2.0, with client credentials or authorization code flows depending on whether the integration is confidential or public. Applications must register to obtain client IDs and secrets, store them securely, and rotate credentials according to policy. Access tokens are short-lived and should be refreshed automatically; some setups also support API keys for server-to-server calls with stricter IP controls. All traffic must use TLS, and scopes should be limited to the minimum required permissions to reduce risk.
Security Checklist
- Use HTTPS for all requests and store secrets in a secure vault
- Implement token refresh and handle expiry gracefully
- Apply principle of least privilege when requesting scopes
- Log securely without exposing tokens or sensitive payloads
Core Endpoints and Typical Workflows
Core endpoints enable accounts, orders, instruments, and user profile operations. An order workflow generally involves retrieving an instrument, checking account permissions, placing an order with idempotency keys, and polling or listening for status updates. Accounts endpoints provide balance, buying power, and position details, while instruments endpoints deliver symbols, quotes, and fundamentals. Webhooks can push real-time events such as order fills, status changes, and corporate actions, reducing reliance on polling and improving responsiveness.
Common Endpoints at a Glance
| Endpoint | Method | Purpose | Idempotency |
|---|---|---|---|
| /v1/orders | POST | Submit a new order | Supported via key header |
| /v1/orders/{id} | GET | Retrieve order details | Not applicable |
| /v1/accounts | GET | Read account profile and balances | Not applicable |
| /v1/instruments | GET | Search and retrieve instrument metadataNot applicable | |
| /v1/webhooks | POST | Register or manage webhook endpoints | Recommended |
Rate Limits and Quotas
The API enforces rate limits to protect stability, typically expressed as requests per minute or per rolling window. Limits vary by endpoint class, with read operations often allowed more frequently than write operations. When limits are exceeded, the service returns HTTP 429 with guidance on retry timing. Clients should implement exponential backoff, respect Retry-After headers, and use caching or aggregation to reduce redundant calls. Monitoring usage metrics helps teams anticipate thresholds and plan capacity or request increases when justified.
Rate Limit Patterns
- Tier-based limits: free vs paid tiers with different ceilings
- Window sizes: per-minute, per-hour, and per-day caps
- Burst allowances and sustained rate limits
Webhooks and Real-Time Events
Webhooks deliver event notifications to a user-defined endpoint, enabling near real-time reactions to account and order changes. A typical setup includes verifying webhook signatures, acknowledging receipt promptly with a 2xx response, and processing idempotently to handle duplicate deliveries. Events commonly include order created, order filled, order cancelled, and account updated. Teams should secure endpoints with TLS, validate payloads, and maintain retry logic to handle temporary failures.
Webhook Event Types
| Event Type | When It Occurs | Suggested Action |
|---|---|---|
| order.created | Order successfully placed | Persist order ID, monitor status |
| order.filled | Trade executed fully or partially | Update portfolio positions |
| order.cancelled | Order cancelled by user or system | Clean up local state and user notifications |
| account.updated | Profile or balance change | Refresh UI and reconcile positions |
Error Handling and Debugging
Errors are returned with appropriate HTTP status codes and a JSON body containing code, message, and optional details. Common categories include client errors (400 series), authentication failures (401), permissions issues (403), resource not found (404), and server errors (500 series). Clients should differentiate between transient and permanent errors, retry only when safe and idempotent, and log context for debugging. Structured error codes make it easier to route alerts and build monitoring dashboards that surface meaningful patterns.
Error Response Shape
- code: machine-readable error identifier
- message: human-readable description
- details: field-specific or context information
Implementation Best Practices
Design integrations with resiliency by using retries with backoff, circuit breakers, and timeouts. Store access tokens and refresh tokens securely, and rotate keys periodically. Log key identifiers such as request IDs and order IDs to simplify troubleshooting. Idempotency keys on write operations prevent duplicate actions on retries. Instrument your clients with metrics for latency, error rates, and throughput, and set up alerts to detect issues early. These practices reduce downtime and improve maintainability as APIs evolve.
Use Cases and Extensibility
Typical implementations include automated trading bots, portfolio trackers, and risk dashboards that aggregate data across accounts. The API supports granular scopes, enabling delegation of specific permissions rather than full account access. As needs grow, teams can introduce caching layers, queue-based processing, and schema validation to keep integrations robust. Because the API is intended for long-term use, planning for backward compatibility and graceful degradation helps maintain stability through provider updates.