Synapse API: Bringing Go Power to Prompt Management

Synapse API is a Go-based RESTful backend that extends the capabilities of Synapse, my native macOS prompt management application. This API provides programmatic access to all Synapse data with powerful template filling functionality.

🚀 Why I Built This

After creating Synapse for macOS, I wanted to explore how the same data could be accessed and manipulated programmatically. This became one of my first serious Go projects, and I really enjoyed the experience of building with Go’s simplicity and performance.

🔧 Core Features

RESTful Architecture

• Complete CRUD operations for all data types
• Clean, intuitive endpoint design
• JSON-based request/response format
• Lightweight and fast performance

Data Management

• Prompts: Manage reusable templates with placeholders
• Contexts: Handle reference materials and background info
• Knowledge: Organize facts, summaries, and knowledge items
• Template Libraries: Maintain collections of template snippets

Template Processing 🎯

• Dynamic variable filling in templates
• Support for {variable_name} placeholder syntax
• Fill templates by content or by ID
• Real-time template rendering

📡 API Endpoints

General Operations

GET  /api/data          # Retrieve all data
PUT  /api/data          # Update entire dataset

Resource-Specific Endpoints

GET  /api/prompts       # Get all prompts
PUT  /api/prompts       # Update prompts

GET  /api/contexts      # Get all contexts  
PUT  /api/contexts      # Update contexts

GET  /api/knowledge     # Get all knowledge items
PUT  /api/knowledge     # Update knowledge

GET  /api/templates     # Get template libraries
PUT  /api/templates     # Update templates

Template Filling

POST /api/fill-template       # Fill template with variables
POST /api/fill-template-by-id # Fill template by ID

💡 Template Examples

Fill by content:

{
  "template": "Hello {name}, welcome to {place}!",
  "variables": {
    "name": "John",
    "place": "our platform"
  }
}

Fill by ID:

{
  "template_id": "94BD3B8E-93C4-4ED8-B2A1-9765016C9521",
  "variables": {
    "meeting_topic": "project planning",
    "recipient_name": "John Doe"
  }
}

🛠️ Technical Stack

Built with:

• Go - Clean, efficient backend language
• Gorilla Mux - Powerful HTTP router and URL matcher
• JSON - Native data persistence and exchange
• RESTful Design - Standard HTTP methods and status codes

🎯 Perfect Integration

The API seamlessly works with data exported from the Synapse macOS app:

• Data Source: ~/Documents/synapse_data.json
• Direct Import: Use exported Synapse data immediately
• Bidirectional Sync: Changes can flow back to the desktop app

🚀 Getting Started

# Clone and setup
git clone [repository-url]
cd synapse-api
go mod tidy

# Run the server
go run main.go

# Server starts on port 8081

🧪 Testing

Includes a comprehensive test script:

./test-api.sh

Requires curl and jq for testing

🎓 Learning Go

This project marked one of my first serious explorations into Go, and I was impressed by:

• Simplicity: Clean syntax and straightforward concepts
• Performance: Fast compilation and efficient runtime
• Standard Library: Rich built-in HTTP and JSON support
• Tooling: Excellent development experience with go mod and testing

The experience convinced me that Go is an excellent choice for API development and backend services.

Extend your Synapse workflow with programmatic access and dynamic template processing.

🌐 GitHub: View API Repository
💻 Language: Go with Gorilla Mux
🔗 Companion: Works with Synapse macOS App