---
description: Use Cloudflare as your API gateway for security, management, and routing.
title: API Gateway
image: https://developers.cloudflare.com/og-docs.png
---

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# API Gateway

Last updated Aug 24, 2026|Copy as Markdown|[View as Markdown](https://9a51ac8b.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/api-shield/api-gateway/index.md)|[Agent setup](https://9a51ac8b.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/agent-setup/)

Cloudflare API Shield provides API security, management tools, and integration with the Cloudflare Developer Platform for building new APIs.

* **Security**: Protect APIs with JWT validation, mutual TLS (mTLS) authentication, schema validation, and defenses against the [OWASP Top 10 API Security risks ↗](https://owasp.org/www-project-api-security/).
* **Management and monitoring**: Use endpoint management, analytics, and routing tools to streamline API operations. Monitor risks with Posture Management and gain visibility through Security Analytics.
* **Development**: Build and deploy APIs using the Cloudflare Developer Platform with its serverless infrastructure and developer tools.

## Cloudflare as your API Gateway

### API security features

* **Protection Against OWASP Top 10 API Security risks**: Mitigate common API vulnerabilities, including injection attacks and improper asset management.

### Management and Monitoring tools

* **[Endpoint management](https://9a51ac8b.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/api-shield/management-and-monitoring/endpoint-management/)**: Gain visibility into your API endpoints, including discovery of shadow APIs and monitoring of active endpoints.
* **[Analytics and logging](https://9a51ac8b.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/api-shield/security/sequence-analytics/)**: Access detailed analytics and logs to monitor API usage, performance, and security events.
* **[API Routing](https://9a51ac8b.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/api-shield/management-and-monitoring/api-routing/)**: Optimize API performance and reliability with secure routing.
* **[Posture Management](https://9a51ac8b.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/api-shield/security/authentication-posture/)**: Monitor API Authentication status and receive alerts for common API risks.

### Build APIs with Cloudflare’s Developer Platform

The [Cloudflare Developer Platform ↗](https://www.cloudflare.com/developer-platform/) offers a serverless execution environment, allowing you to build and deploy new APIs without the need to manage infrastructure. Its benefits include:

* **Global scalability**: Deploy APIs across Cloudflare's global network for low latency and high availability.
* **Integrated services**: Use storage, databases, and AI tools alongside your APIs.
* **Developer tools**: Build with frameworks and tools that support the API development workflow.

## Get started

To begin using Cloudflare API Shield, refer to our [Get started](https://9a51ac8b.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/api-shield/get-started/) guide.

For detailed instructions and additional resources, refer to the [API Shield documentation](https://9a51ac8b.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/api-shield/).

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