developer-roadmap/roadmaps/nextjs/content/api-endpoints@4H8aOVYsZiPbTQUYcZjb_.md

API Endpoints

API Routes let you create an API endpoint inside a Next.js app. API endpoints work differently in Pages routers and App Routers:

• Pages Router: Historically, Next.js used pages/api/* for APIs. This approach relied on Node.js request/response objects and an Express-like API.
• App Router (Default): Introduced in Next.js 13, the App Router fully embraces web standard Request/Response APIs. Instead of pages/api/*, you can now place route.ts or route.js files anywhere inside the app/ directory.

Visit the following resources to learn more:

• @official@Route Handlers and Middleware
• @official@API Routes for Pages Router
• @official@Building APIs with Next.js
• @video@Next.js 15 Tutorial - Route Handlers