private API docs with access control

If you want to publish private API docs with access control, here are the common patterns and what they usually involve:

1) Authentication

Require users to sign in before they can view docs.

• SSO / OAuth / SAML for internal teams
• Email + password for smaller setups
• API key / token if docs are for developers already using an authenticated portal

2) Authorization

After login, decide who can access which docs.

• Role-based access control (RBAC): e.g. admin, engineer, partner, customer
• Group-based access: docs visible to specific teams or organizations
• Per-document or per-section permissions: restrict sensitive endpoints separately

3) Common implementation options

Hosted documentation platforms

Many doc platforms support private docs and permissions:

• ReadMe
• GitBook
• Stoplight
• SwaggerHub
• Postman documentation portals

Custom portal

Build a docs portal behind your app’s auth system:

• Protect routes with session/JWT auth
• Fetch OpenAPI/Markdown docs only after authorization
• Filter endpoints based on the user’s permissions

Static docs behind a gateway

Host static docs and put them behind:

• VPN
• reverse proxy authentication
• cloud access policy
• basic auth (simple, but limited)

4) Security considerations

• Don’t rely on “hidden URLs” alone
• Make sure the docs backend and the API itself enforce the same permissions
• Separate public and private schemas if needed
• Log access for auditability
• Avoid exposing secrets or internal-only endpoints in generated examples

5) Recommended architecture

A solid setup is:

1. User logs into your portal
2. Portal checks their role/organization
3. Docs system serves only authorized sections
4. API endpoints also enforce authorization independently

If you want, I can also help with:

• a tool comparison
• a sample architecture
• or how to implement this with OpenAPI + auth