API archive entry · source-reported
API Reference - Ideal Postcodes
# Getting Started ## Overview ### Access All API methods are either a `GET`, `POST` or `OPTIONS` request. The API communicates over both HTTPS and plain HTTP using IPv4 and IPv6. We recommend using HTTPS only although HTTP is available. We use appropriate HTTP status codes where possible to indicate the request status. ### Rate Limiting Each IP address is rate limited at 30 requests per second. Tripping the rate limit will result in a 503 response. The autocomplete API also has an additional rate limit. If you expect to breach the limit please contact us and we can move you to an endpoint with a higher limit. ### JSONP JSONP requests are supported. Include a `callback=` in your request as a query parameter. Your results return wrapped in a function designated by your request. ## Authentication Most requests require an **API key** for authentication. Authenticate by passing an `api_key` as part of the query string. For example: ``` api.ideal-postcodes.co.uk/v1/autocomplete/addresses?api_key=iddqd&q=parkside ``` Alternatively, authentication can be transmitted via the `Authorization` header using the following scheme: ``` Authorization: api_key="iddqd" [other_key="foo"] ``` ## Versio
Plan the first integration safely
The access fields below come from the connected directory. Their likely implementation impact is explained without assuming provider-specific behavior.
Authentication
OAuth is reported. Confirm flows, scopes, consent, token lifetime, and refresh rules.
Transport
HTTPS is not confirmed. Do not send credentials or production data until secure transport is verified.
Browser access
CORS is unknown. Treat direct browser access as unconfirmed and test before choosing a client-only architecture.
First-request sequence
- Identify the current base URL, version, and endpoint for the use case.
- Confirm how credentials are issued and where they may be stored.
- Test success, invalid input, throttling, unavailable data, and timeouts.
- Record response fields, pagination, caching, and error shapes.
- Add monitoring, retries with backoff, and an appropriate fallback.
Questions to resolve before production
Pricing and quotas
Confirm current plans, free-tier limits, overages, and request ceilings.
Endpoint coverage
Check that the operations and response fields match the intended workload.
Reliability
Look for uptime history, a status page, support routes, and service commitments.
Data and privacy
Review retention, licensing, regional processing, and compliance requirements.
Versioning
Confirm the active version, change policy, deprecation window, and migration guidance.
Developer experience
Validate SDKs, examples, error formats, pagination, and test environments.
Source reference
This page separates source-reported facts from questions that need live provider verification.