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HTTP Request

The HTTP Request node is one of the most versatile nodes in Robbot Automation. It allows you to make HTTP requests to query data from any app or service with a REST API.

When using this node, you're creating a REST API call. You need some understanding of basic API terminology and concepts.

There are two ways to create an HTTP request: configure the node fields or import a curl command.

Node fields​

Method​

Select the method to be used for the request:

  • DELETE
  • GET
  • HEAD
  • OPTIONS
  • PATCH
  • POST
  • PUT

URL​

Enter the endpoint you want to use.

Authentication​

There are two options for authentication. Robbot Automation recommends using the Predefined credential type option when it's available. It offers an easier way to set up and manage credentials, compared to configuring generic credentials.

Predefined credentials​

Select Predefined Credential Type. This allows you to perform custom operations, without additional authentication setup. For example, Robbot Automation has an Asana node, and supports using your Asana credentials in the HTTP Request node. Refer to Custom API operations for more information.

Generic credentials​

Select Generic Credential Type to set up authentication using one of the following methods:

  • Basic Auth
  • Digest Auth
  • Header Auth
  • OAuth1
  • OAuth2
  • None

Refer to HTTP request credentials for more information setting up each credential type.

Parameters, headers, and body​

You can choose to send additional information with your request. The data you need to send depends on the API you're interacting with, and the type of request you're making. Refer to your service's API documentation for detailed guidance.

  • Send Query Parameters: include query parameters. Query parameters are usually used as filters or searches on your query.
  • Send Headers: include request headers. Headers contain metadata about your request.
  • Send Body: send additional information in the body of your request.

Options​

Select Add Option to view and select these options.

  • Batching: control how to batch large responses.
  • Ignore SSL Issues: download the response even if SSL validation isn't possible.
  • Redirects: choose whether to follow redirects. Enabled by default.
  • Response: provide settings about the expected API response.
  • Proxy: use this if you need to specify an HTTP proxy.
  • Timeout: set a timeout for the request.

Import curl command​

curl is a command line tool and library for transferring data with URLs.

You can use curl to call REST APIs. If the API documentation of the service you want to use provides curl examples, you can copy them out of the documentation and into Robbot Automation to configure the HTTP Request node.

Import a curl command:

  1. Select Import cURL command.
  2. Paste in your curl command.
  3. Select Import. Robbot Automation loads the request configuration into the node fields. This overwrites any existing configuration.

Basic example​

This example uses Reqres, a service for testing APIs with fake data. It provides a basic usage example.

Setup​

Create a new workflow and add the HTTP Request node.

Enter https://reqres.in/api/users in the URL field. All the examples call this endpoint.

Get a list of users​

Ensure the Method is set to GET.

Select Save. Robbot Automation calls the users endpoint of the Reqres API, and outputs the response.

Add a user​

  1. Select POST in the Method dropdown list.
  2. Enable Send Body.
  3. Enter name in the Name field.
  4. Enter Neo in the Value field.
  5. Select Add Parameter
  6. Enter job in the Name field.
  7. Enter Programmer in the Value field.
  8. Select Save to run the workflow. Robbot Automation calls the users endpoint of the Reqres API, and outputs the response.

More examples​

Fetch a binary file from a URL​

  1. Enter the URL of the file in the URL field. For example, you can enter https://robbot.com.tr/_images/Robbot_Automation-docs-icon.svg to fetch the Robbot Automation logo.
  2. Select Add Option > Response.
  3. Set Response Format to File.
  4. Select Save to run the node.

Send a binary file to an API endpoint​

  1. Connect the HTTP Request node with a node that has previously fetched the binary file. For example, this could be an HTTP Request node, [Read Binary File](/integrations/builtin/core-nodes/Robbot Automation-nodes-base.readbinaryfile/) node, [Google Drive](/integrations/builtin/app-nodes/Robbot Automation-nodes-base.googledrive/) node, and so on.
  2. Select POST in the Method dropdown. Check the API documentation of your API to make sure that you have selected the correct HTTP request method.
  3. Enter the URL you want to send the binary file to in the URL field.
  4. Enable Send Body.
  5. In Body Content Type, select Robbot Automation Binary Data.
  6. In Input Data Field Name, enter the name of the field containing the binary data.
  7. Select Save to run the node.

Get the HTTP status code after an execution​

  1. Select Add Option > Response.
  2. Enable Include Response Headers and Status.

When you execute the node, Robbot Automation includes the headers, status code, and status message in the output.

Send XML data​

  1. Enable Send Body.
  2. In Body Content Type, select Raw.
  3. In Content Type, enter application/xml.
  4. Enter the XML data in the Body field.