Automation glossary

HTTP Header

An HTTP header is a named field sent with a request or response that carries extra information, such as the content type, authentication, or rate-limit status.

In plain language

Headers are the envelope details around the message, separate from the body’s data.

Example

A request sends Authorization: Bearer <token> and Content-Type: application/json headers along with its JSON body.

HTTP Request · Authentication · API Key · Rate Limit

Common misconception

Headers are not just technical noise; missing or wrong headers are a common reason API calls fail.

Implementation guidance

Set Content-Type and authentication headers explicitly, read response headers such as Retry-After, and never log authorization headers.

Primary references

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