ApiFort Api Recorder
Modern web applications are no longer limited to a single backend service. Microservice architectures, third-party integrations, and increasingly complex client-side business logic cause applications to communicate with a large number of API endpoints simultaneously. Within this structure, gaining clear visibility into which APIs a system actually uses, which parameters are sent, and how data flows during real execution is not always straightforward. Many teams attempt to address this need through Swagger documentation, backend definitions, or static analysis; however, these approaches often fail to accurately reflect an application’s real runtime behavior.
At first glance, this question may seem justified. Authentication systems control users’ access to the system, while Access Control Lists (ACLs) limit who can access certain resources. However, Broken Function Level Authorization (BFLA) is not just about “who”, but “what operations can they perform”. Incomplete or incorrect implementation of role, group and hierarchy-based authorization policies can lead to attackers accessing API functions that are not authorized. This is a serious security risk inherent to the API architecture and hidden in the business logic.
In modern web applications, a significant portion of API calls is triggered dynamically. Endpoints invoked as a result of specific user roles, particular actions, or conditional flows are frequently missing from documentation or become outdated over time. This creates serious blind spots in API discovery and testing processes. When a discrepancy emerges between the documented API inventory and the actual traffic flowing through the browser, test coverage becomes incomplete and security analyses are built on incorrect assumptions.
At this point, observing API traffic directly at the browser level becomes a critical requirement. Frontend applications are no longer merely presentation layers; they are active components where payloads are shaped, user roles diverge, and a substantial part of business logic is executed. Being able to monitor real API calls within the application’s natural flow makes it possible to see exactly which endpoint is called, when it is triggered, and with which data. Without this level of visibility, API testing efforts often remain largely theoretical.
A Browser-Based Approach to API Discovery
ApiFort API Recorder is positioned as a browser-based tool that directly addresses this need. Operating as a Chrome extension, it captures all fetch- and XHR-based API calls occurring in the active tab in real time. Its primary advantage lies in the fact that it requires no proxy configuration, certificate installation, or complex setup. While the user interacts with the application as usual, all API communication happening in the background becomes transparently visible.
Observing APIs through real traffic provides a significant advantage in closing the gap between documentation and actual usage. As users navigate through the application, it becomes clear which endpoints are actively used, which parameters are sent, and which headers are required. This enables teams to build an API inventory based not on what is documented, but on what is actually used. In growing systems, this approach makes it much easier to identify forgotten, undocumented, or overlooked services.
The ability to export captured requests as Postman collections or OpenAPI definitions further accelerates testing workflows. Instead of manually reconstructing API calls based on assumptions, teams can prepare test scenarios using requests captured directly from real user behavior. This provides value not only for functional testing but also for security testing. Tests performed with real payloads, rather than synthetic examples, tend to produce more accurate and reliable results.
From an API security perspective, it is well known that many critical vulnerabilities arise not from individual requests, but from the context in which requests are made. Authorization flaws, excessive data exposure, and role-based access control issues are often exploited through API calls that appear entirely legitimate. Because these requests frequently result in HTTP 200 responses, they can easily bypass signature-based or superficial security controls. Analyzing real browser traffic makes it possible to identify such issues at a much earlier stage.
With the use of API Recorder, it becomes possible to clearly observe which user roles access which endpoints, which fields are sent from the client side, and how the backend responds to these requests. This level of visibility creates a shared reference point for both development and security teams. Analyses grounded in concrete runtime data replace evaluations based on assumptions or incomplete documentation.
The use of ApiFort API Recorder is intentionally designed to be simple and configuration-free. Once the Chrome extension is enabled, users continue interacting with the application in its normal flow while all fetch- and XHR-based API calls triggered in the active tab are automatically captured. Captured requests can be viewed on a host basis, and frequently monitored services can be marked as favorites to focus only on relevant requests and endpoints. When needed, these requests can be exported as Postman collections or OpenAPI definitions, enabling testing and analysis based on real user behavior rather than reconstructed API traffic.
Ultimately, one of the greatest risks in the API ecosystem is the existence of APIs that are poorly understood or not understood at all. Making real browser traffic visible is one of the most effective ways to eliminate this uncertainty. Despite being a small and lightweight tool, ApiFort API Recorder delivers strategic value across API discovery, testing, and security processes through the visibility it provides. For teams aiming to base their analyses on real data, this approach is no longer optional but has become a natural part of the modern API lifecycle.
