WooCommerce The REST API is a powerful and flexible interface system for users and developers who want to connect their store to third-party services. This article will help you understand REST API The basic usage, key generation process, and troubleshooting of common problems.
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What is the WooCommerce REST API?
it is WooCommerce An interface provided to interact with external systems (e.g. ERP, APP, applets, inventory systems, etc.) for goods, orders, customers, and other data. In most cases, the connection can be established simply by generating an API key and entering it into a third-party system.
Getting Started: Fixed Link Setup
The REST API relies on the WordPress fixed link structure to function. Before you start, check that the site's fixed link format is set to something other than "plain text".
Path:
WordPress Backend > Settings > Fixed Links
Recommended option: "day and name" format, or other structured format
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Step 1: Generate WooCommerce API Key
WooCommerce uses a key mechanism to manage access rights. Each set of keys is tied to a WordPress user.
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The procedure is as follows:
- Login to WordPress Backend
- Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Advanced > REST API
If you are using a version of WooCommerce prior to 3.4, the path is: Settings > API > Key/Apps - Click "Add Key".
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- Fill in the information below:
- Description: Name the key for easy identification
- User: Select a WordPress user
- Permissions:
- Read (read-only)
- Write
- Read/Write
- Click "Generate API Key".
The system will provide the following:
- Consumer Key
- Consumer Secret
- two-dimensional barcode
- Undo button
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The connection is established after the key and site address are entered into the external system.
Step 2: Test the API
The following links can be tested in a browser or using Postman tools:
https://yourdomain.com/wp-json/wc/v3/orders?consumer_key=ck_xxx&consumer_secret=cs_xxx
If you get a 401 error or the message "woocommerce_rest_cannot_view", please check the following items:
- Is the key correct?
- Whether or not the permission is set to "read/write".
- Whether the server passed the authentication information correctly
To confirm that the server supports the Auth header, you can also temporarily add a new Auth header to the .htaccess
Add the following to the
SetEnvIf Authorization . + HTTP_AUTHORIZATION=$0
RewriteRule ^wp-json/. * - [E=HTTP_AUTHORIZATION:%{HTTP:Authorization},L]
Legacy REST API (legacy interface)
WooCommerce used Legacy REST. API system, after WooCommerce 9.0 this functionality will be migrated to a standalone plugin.
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If there is still a current dependency on the old system, you can enable it as follows:
Backstage Access:WooCommerce > Settings > Advanced > Legacy API
Check the "Enable Legacy REST API" box.
The new version of the REST API with WordPress Native system integration and is enabled by default, it is recommended to migrate to the new version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: 401 error or "woocommerce_rest_cannot_view" when requesting?
Please check the following:
- Is the API key correct
- Whether permissions are set to read and write
- Authentication information is passed in the correct way, try testing by appending the key to the URL parameters
summarize
WooCommerce REST API provides powerful data interaction capabilities, applicable to inventory synchronization, order push, APP docking and other scenarios. You only need to complete the key generation, permission configuration and basic testing, and then you can start the process of connecting to external systems smoothly.
If you're looking for an automated, scalable way to interface with store data, the REST API is an important tool in WooCommerce that can't be ignored.
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