In the past year or two, I’ve taken notice of a particular trend. That is, a lot of excitement surrounding the REST API being added to WordPress. When I attended WordCamp San Francisco last weekend, I talked to a few individuals who confirmed my suspicions. The WP API also known as the REST API will create an untold amount of opportunities for developers to interact with WordPress.

Everything from custom backend experiences to unique ways of interacting with WordPress data are possible with the REST API being added to the core of WordPress. While this isn’t slated to occur until WordPress 4.2 or later, there are projects already taking advantage of the API. FooCapture by FooBox is one example of a plugin tapping into what the API has to offer. FooCapture utilizes the Rest API in WordPress to capture, optimize, and upload screenshots directly to WordPress.

I follow the Drupal community and for several months, I’ve seen talk and examples of something called Headless Drupal. Basically, the backend of Drupal is nothing more than a series of API calls giving developers a chance to create a unique backend experience for clients.

While it doesn’t utilize the REST API, Jason Schuller’s Pickle Project is interesting. While it took him two days to complete, I can’t help but wonder what he would be able to create using the WP API when it becomes part of WordPress’ core.

I ended up speaking to a few individuals close to the WP API project and asked them several questions. Their answers solidified a suspicion I’ve had for a long time in that, the REST API is instrumental to WordPress’ future. We’re going to see custom backends, perhaps thousands of them.

We’re going to see the backend of WordPress used in ways we haven’t thought of or imagined just yet.  The next two years of WordPress news is going to be exciting. I have the opportunity to review a countless number of apps that will utilize the API in ways we don’t know of yet. The REST API being added to the core of WordPress is an exciting period of time. It’s a pivotal moment of the platform’s future.

If you disagree, I’m all ears.