> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://documentation.proto.cx/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://documentation.proto.cx/docs/modules/ai-agents/workflows-and-actions/send-api-request.md).

# Send API request

`Action` — Sends a request to an external endpoint and receives the response. Supports GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, and PATCH.

## What it does

Calls an external API mid-chat and stores the response in a variable for use by downstream actions. Useful for automations, external actions, database updates, and external reporting.

## When to use it

To bring live external data into a chat — looking up a complaint status, fetching account details, or pushing data out to another system.

## Settings

| Setting                | Description                                                                                             |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **HTTP method**        | The request type: GET (retrieve), POST (create), PUT (update), DELETE (delete), PATCH (partial update). |
| **URL endpoint**       | The endpoint to receive requests. Must start with `https://`.                                           |
| **Headers**            | Key / Value pairs for the request header. Optional.                                                     |
| **Resulting variable** | The [chat variable](/docs/developers/chat-variables.md) whose value will be set from the response.      |

Press **Save** to confirm edits.

To test an API request, use a [Webchat](/docs/modules/ai-agents/publishing/webchat.md) preview to interact with the AI agent and trigger the request.

## Related

{% content-ref url="/pages/dS84QlBWMPsz088Q7VcB" %}
[Send API](/docs/modules/ai-agents/workflows-and-actions/send-api.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/rTdnuIG08MgrRXkV3Alv" %}
[Set variable](/docs/modules/ai-agents/workflows-and-actions/set-variable.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}