Launchpad web services API

The Launchpad website lets you learn about and manage bugs, projects, questions, and other artifacts of software development. These same objects are gradually being exposed through a web service, so that you can access them from scripts, applications, or other websites, in addition to accessing them through the Launchpad website. The service is designed around the principles of REST with the goals of simplicity and transparency.

The Launchpad web service is currently in a limited beta, open to Launchpad's beta testers.

• When will the limited beta become an open beta? When will the open beta become a full release? The roadmap has the answers.

• Most users will be happy with launchpadlib, the official Python client library for Launchpad's web service.

   >>> me = launchpad.people['my-username']
   >>> me.display_name = 'My new display name'
   >>> me.lp_save()

• Users who aren't Python programmers, or who are interested in the inner workings of the web service, should read the hacking document.

   PATCH /beta/+me HTTP/1.1
   Host: api.edge.launchpad.net
   Content-type: application/json

   { "display_name" : "My new display name" }

• If you're writing your own interface to Launchpad, instead of using launchpadlib, you'll need to know how OAuth works. Signing Requests explains how to walk your end-users through the process of getting a set of OAuth credentials that you can use to make Launchpad web service requests on their behalf.

• Everyone can appreciate the reference documentation.