# Routebase Routebase is an API lifecycle management platform that unites design, mocking, testing, documentation, governance, and monitoring around a single living spec. Its built-in MCP server lets AI agents work with APIs under team permissions. - Findings24: - Website: - Pricing: Freemium - Categories: MCP Tools ## What is Routebase? Routebase is an API lifecycle management platform built around a single living spec. It brings API design, mocking, testing, documentation, governance, and monitoring into one workflow so changes to the contract can flow through the rest of the API lifecycle. The product is aimed at teams that want one source of truth for APIs and a way to keep frontend work, validation, docs, and agent access aligned with the same specification. The site emphasizes OpenAPI-based workflows, a stable per-project mock URL, test suites for environments and pipelines, and a built-in MCP server for AI agents. ## What can Routebase do? ### Visual OpenAPI design Create and edit OpenAPI specs in a visual editor that covers endpoints, parameters, responses, schemas, and versions. The source states the spec stays valid OpenAPI underneath, with tree, form, and live preview panels, plus undo/redo and auto-save. ### Spec-driven API mocking Generate realistic mock APIs from the spec on a stable project URL. Mock rules can use static bodies, status codes, and headers, or generate dynamic responses with request variables, state, latency, and failure simulation. ### API testing and security checks Run test suites against any environment with chained requests, assertion logic, test data setup, and scheduled runs. The page also mentions environment variables, CI-oriented triggers, and OWASP API security scanning. ### Living documentation portal Publish a docs portal that is generated from the living spec and updates when the contract changes. The source also notes access levels, custom domains, and examples in multiple languages. ### Agent-ready workflows Use the built-in MCP server so agents can discover APIs as tools and perform design, linting, and testing actions. Routebase says workspaces ship with 80+ lifecycle tools and team-scoped permissions. ### Governance and drift monitoring Track spec drift and control changes with governance features such as scheduled monitors, field-level diffs, spec branches, merge requests, and breaking-change detection before merge. ## Use Cases ### Designing a contract-first API Use Routebase to design endpoints, schemas, versions, and reusable components before implementation begins. The visual editor and branching workflow are meant to keep the contract organized while work is still in progress. ### Unblocking frontend development Create a stable mock URL from the spec so frontend teams can work before the backend is complete. The mock server can return realistic data, simulate state and errors, and proxy unmatched requests to a live API. ### Validating APIs across environments Run functional tests, environment-specific suites, or security scans against staging and production-like systems. Routebase supports chained requests, assertions, managed fixtures, and CI-oriented execution. ### Keeping API documentation current Publish documentation that stays aligned with the spec and can be served through a docs portal. This is useful when teams want consumer-facing API docs without maintaining separate manual documentation. ### Making APIs agent-ready Let AI agents discover APIs as tools and perform design, linting, and test actions within team permissions. This is aimed at workflows where engineers want agent assistance without giving the agent separate ad hoc access. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How does the 14-day Pro trial work? Every new account starts on a 14-day Pro trial with all features unlocked. No credit card or plan selection is required to begin, and the trial starts when you sign up. ### What happens when the trial ends? When the trial ends, the workspace automatically moves to the Free plan. Projects, specs, and history are retained, and you can upgrade later without losing data. ### Can I import my existing APIs? Yes. Routebase supports direct import of OpenAPI specs, and it can also bring in collections from Postman or Insomnia. ### How do AI agents connect to Routebase? Every workspace exposes a built-in MCP server. Agents such as Claude or Cursor can discover APIs as tools and design, lint, and test specs under the same permissions as the team. ### Is Enterprise self-service? Yes. Enterprise is self-service, starts at 25 seats, and includes SAML SSO, SCIM, and audit log export. The pricing page says there is no sales call required. ## Quick Facts - **Category**: API lifecycle management - **Primary standard**: OpenAPI 3.0 and 3.1 - **Import/export**: YAML or JSON; also Postman and Insomnia imports are mentioned - **Agent support**: Built-in MCP server - **Pricing model**: Per user, per month - **Trial**: 14-day Pro trial with no credit card required