Let’s face it—getting started with API integrations is often the worst part of any project.

You want to build something fast, maybe mock a CRM flow or test a data sync idea. But instead, you’re stuck:

• Scavenging for decent sandbox APIs
• Fighting inconsistent docs
• Writing glue code just to test a POST request
• Wasting time debugging things that should just work

I got sick of that. So we built apiexplorer.io: a free playground of production-grade, fully documented, immediately-usable demo APIs. And when you pair it with Martini, our low-code API automation platform, you can go from “idea” to “working API client” in… well, lunch break territory.

Here’s how I use both in my workflow.

✅ Step 1: Realistic Demo APIs Without the Headaches

The problem with most mock APIs is that they’re either toy-level (/todos) or they gate everything behind auth walls and endless config.

apiexplorer.io fixes that. Once you sign up (free, no card), you get an API key and access to:

• REST APIs for CRM, Billing, Orders, HCM, Inventory, and more
• Live API Explorer with cURL + fetch snippets
• Postman collections + OpenAPI schemas
• A frontend app for previewing the data

Want to mock a customer profile system? Build a sales dashboard? Prototype lead assignment automation? You’re covered. You don’t even need to use Lonti tools for this—it works great with Postman or your own stack.

⚙️ Step 2: Consume the API in Martini

I use Martini to build integrations, workflows, and services visually (but with full code access when I want it).

Once I’ve grabbed my API key, here’s what I do:

1. In Martini, open the HTTP Client
2. Paste an endpoint like this: GET https://demo-api.apiexplorer.io/api/lonti_demo_api_crm/1.0/contact?limit=20
3. Add headers:
   • Accept: application/json
   • X-Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY
4. Click “Test”

Boom—live data.

From here, I can transform the payload, map fields, or embed this call into a workflow, webhook, or even an exposed API.

🔁 Step 3: Reuse, Reuse, Reuse

What’s cool about Martini is that any HTTP request I build can be turned into a reusable service.

Let’s say I build a “Get Contacts” call. I can:

• Reuse it across 5+ workflows
• Call it from an API published in Martini
• Trigger it via automation or webhook
• Or even wire it into a Bellini UI if I’m building frontend stuff

No duplicated logic. No boilerplate. Just a clean pipeline of services I can plug anywhere.

🎯 Real Example: From Demo API to Live Integration

I recently built a quick proof-of-concept that:

• Pulled new leads from the CRM API (via apiexplorer.io)
• Enriched them with external data
• Routed them to an internal support queue
• Notified users via Slack and updated our internal DB

Time to build: ~1.5 hours

Time spent on mocking/debugging the API layer: 0

That’s the whole point. This stack gets out of your way so you can build what matters.

TL;DR: A Better Stack for Prototyping with APIs

Here’s why I think apiexplorer.io + Martini is worth a try:

• You get realistic APIs with clean structure and live data
• No setup, no fluff—just test and go
• Martini lets you orchestrate APIs visually, with full-code flexibility if needed
• You can reuse everything across services, workflows, and frontend apps

I’m not saying it’s magic. But it’s a lot closer than what most of us deal with on a daily basis.

Original source: Building API Clients Faster with apiexplorer.io and Martini