monday.com API and Automations

Why it matters: When built-in automations can't do the job, the API lets you read and update boards from your own systems. GraphQL is different from simple REST, and getting authentication and versioning right avoids outages.

By the end you can:

• Read and write a basic GraphQL query and mutation
• Plan authentication and least-privilege access
• Separate UI automations from API capabilities
• Test safely against a development board

Learn (15 min)

1. GraphQL in one page (5 min)

All requests go to one endpoint, and you specify exactly the fields you want. For monday.com the endpoint is https://api.monday.com/v2.

query {
  boards(ids: [1234567890]) {
    name
    items_page(limit: 10) {
      cursor
      items {
        id
        name
        column_values { id text }
      }
    }
  }
}

Use the official API playground to inspect the schema before using production data. Results are paginated; continue with the returned cursor.

2. Authentication, versions, and scope (5 min)

Send the token in the Authorization header and pin the API version in the API-Version header.

POST https://api.monday.com/v2
Authorization: <token>
API-Version: <version you've tested>
Content-Type: application/json

Store tokens in protected credential storage, never in a board cell, browser bundle, or shared prompt. Request only the access needed. Review version deprecation notices before upgrading.

3. Writes and automations (5 min)

A mutation changes data:

mutation {
  change_simple_column_value(
    board_id: 1234567890, item_id: 987654321,
    column_id: "status", value: "Booked"
  ) { id }
}

UI automations and API operations are different things: don't assume every automation recipe has a public mutation. Check the current API reference for each capability. Test on a development board and read the item back to confirm the final state.

Apply (15 min)

Worked example (3 min). Integration plan: (1) inspect schema in the playground; (2) token stored in the platform vault; (3) query only id, name, status text, and owner; (4) test on a dev board; (5) update one status column; (6) read back and compare; (7) record the API version; (8) on a rate limit or error, wait/retry with bounds and alert on repeated failures.

Lab (7 min): Write the requests.

1. Write a query that returns item names and status for one board.
2. Write a mutation that sets one column.
3. List the three checks you'd run after the mutation.
4. Note one UI automation you use, and check the API reference for whether an equivalent exists.

Deliverable: Two requests (text) and a verification checklist. You're done when: Your query asks only for the fields you need.

Check yourself (5 min)

1. Which query language does the API use?
2. Why request only needed fields?
3. Where should an API token be stored?
4. Scenario: Your script works today but breaks months later with no code changes. What do you check?
5. Does every UI automation have a public API equivalent?

Reference

Common mistakes

Cheat sheet: Inspect schema → authenticate securely → minimal fields → test → read back → track version.

Key terms: GraphQL, schema, query, mutation, cursor, API version.

Interview prompts: How is GraphQL different from REST? How do you test a mutation safely?

Go deeper: monday.com API reference · Intro to GraphQL · API basics

Next: Lesson 23 — Notion.