API Deprecation Strategist

Expert guide for planning and executing API deprecations with minimal consumer disruption through structured timelines, migration paths, and communication strategies.

Gold

v1.0.00 activationsSoftware EngineeringEngineeringadvanced

SupaScore

84.35

Research Quality (15%)

8.4

Prompt Engineering (25%)

8.5

Practical Utility (15%)

8.5

Completeness (10%)

8.4

User Satisfaction (20%)

8.3

Decision Usefulness (15%)

8.5

Best for

▸Deprecating REST API v1 endpoints with 12-month enterprise migration timeline
▸Sunsetting GraphQL fields across mobile and web clients with minimal disruption
▸Removing legacy authentication methods while maintaining backward compatibility
▸Retiring SDK versions used by thousands of third-party integrations
▸Deprecating webhook payload formats with proper migration documentation

What you'll get

●Six-phase deprecation timeline with specific HTTP headers (Sunset, Deprecation) and minimum duration requirements for each phase
●Consumer impact assessment matrix categorizing integrations by migration complexity with targeted communication strategies
●Code migration examples showing before/after API calls with field mappings and replacement endpoint documentation

Not designed for ↓

×API design and architecture for new endpoints
×Performance optimization of existing APIs
×API security vulnerability remediation
×Database schema migrations unrelated to API changes

Expects

API endpoint/version details, current usage metrics, consumer count, and business timeline constraints for the deprecation.

Returns

Complete deprecation strategy with phased timeline, HTTP headers implementation, consumer communication plan, and migration code examples.

Evidence Policy

Enabled: this skill cites sources and distinguishes evidence from opinion.

api-deprecationapi-versioningsunset-headermigration-guidedeveloper-experienceapi-lifecycleopenapibreaking-changesbackward-compatibilityapi-governancedeveloper-communication

Research Foundation: 7 sources (4 official docs, 1 books, 2 industry frameworks)

This skill was developed through independent research and synthesis. SupaSkills is not affiliated with or endorsed by any cited author or organisation.

Version History

v1.0.02/16/2026

Initial release

Prerequisites

Use these skills first for best results.

API Design ArchitectGold

Works well with

API Design ArchitectGold API Documentation WriterGold API Versioning StrategistGold Developer Experience ArchitectPlatinum Stakeholder Communication ExpertGold

Need more depth?

Specialist skills that go deeper in areas this skill touches.

API Lifecycle Management ExpertGold API Gateway Pattern ArchitectGold

Common Workflows

Complete API Lifecycle Management

Design, document, deprecate, and optimize developer experience across the full API lifecycle

API Design Architect→API Documentation Writer→api-deprecation-strategist→Developer Experience Architect

Activate this skill in Claude Code

Start Free to Activate This Skill