Developers

Public API documentation

Use these JSON endpoints to list and fetch open-source alternatives from Alternova. The base URL is this site’s domain so the same script works on any host.

API status: enabled. API keys are optional for read endpoints (higher rate limits with a key).

Authentication

Create a key under your account (when allowed), then send it as:

Authorization: Bearer alt_your_key_here

# or
X-Api-Key: alt_your_key_here

# or query (less preferred)
?api_key=alt_your_key_here

Rate limits (per minute): anonymous 60, with API key 600. Responses include X-RateLimit-Limit and X-RateLimit-Remaining.

Endpoints

GET https://alterpocket.xyz/api/alternatives

List published open-source alternatives (paginated).

Auth: Optional key (required if admin enabled “Require API key”)

q — search name/description/language
license — filter by license_type
category — tag/category slug
sort — health | stars | votes | name | newest
per_page — 1–50 (default 20)
page — page number

GET https://alterpocket.xyz/api/alternatives/{slug}

Single alternative by slug, including metrics and linked proprietary tools.

Auth: Optional key

slug — URL slug of the alternative

GET https://alterpocket.xyz/api/alternatives/{slug}/pros-cons

List pros and cons for an alternative.

Auth: Optional key

slug — alternative slug

POST https://alterpocket.xyz/api/alternatives/{slug}/pros-cons

Submit a pro or con (subject to moderation rules on the site).

Auth: API key recommended; stricter throttle

JSON body: type (pro|con), body (text)

GET https://alterpocket.xyz/api/suggest

Typeahead suggestions for search UIs.

Auth: Optional key

q — partial query string

Example

curl -s "https://alterpocket.xyz/api/alternatives?sort=health&per_page=5" \
  -H "Accept: application/json"

Site operators control API availability under Admin → System → API access (global switch, require-key, rate limits, and per-user API permission).