Building My First Backend API: A Dynamic Profile Endpoint HNG 13

Avatar photoByAdil

I just completed the Backend Wizards Stage 0 task by building a RESTful API that serves profile data with dynamic cat facts! 🚀

What I Built

· GET /api/me endpoint returning JSON profile data
· Real-time cat facts from CatFact.Ninja API
· Rate limiting (10 requests/30 seconds)
· Dynamic UTC timestamps
· Error handling with fallback facts

Tech Stack

· C# / ASP.NET Core Web API
· Microsoft Rate Limiting
· HttpClient for external API calls
· Railway for deployment

Key Learnings

· ASP.NET Core controller design and routing
· External API integration with proper error handling
· Implementing rate limiting policies
· C# async/await patterns for HTTP requests
· Structured JSON responses with anonymous types

Example Response: 

{
  "status": "success",
  "user": {
    "email": "ikechukwugodwin22@gmail.com",
    "name": "Ikechukwu F. Godwin",
    "stack": "C#/ASP.NET Web API"
  },
  "timeStamp": "2025-10-15T14:30:45.123Z",
  "fact": "Cats have whiskers on their front legs too!"
}

This project solidified my backend fundamentals with ASP.NET Core – from API design to production deployment! 💻

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