> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tetherai.ca/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Architecture

> Understand API integration surfaces and request flow.

Tether provides multiple API integration surfaces for messaging and workflow automation.

## Core API surfaces

* Authentication endpoints (`/api/auth/*`) for token lifecycle.
* Resource endpoints (`/api/contacts`, `/api/conversation`, `/api/messages`, `/api/applications`) for core workflow operations.
* Organization and user endpoints (`/api/organizations`, `/api/user`) for account-level configuration.
* Automation endpoints (`/api/automations`, `/api/workflows`, `/api/pipelines`) for orchestration.

## Example inbound integration flow

1. Source system sends inbound event payload to `POST /api/webhook/outreach`.
2. API validates and normalizes payload fields.
3. Event is mapped to contact/application/conversation context.
4. Automation and assignment logic is applied.
5. Resulting state is available through resource endpoints.

## Realtime messaging flow

1. Client authenticates and obtains bearer token.
2. Client sends/receives message events through API and realtime channels.
3. Conversation state updates are persisted and queryable by API.
4. Feedback loops (for example CSAT) are exposed via conversation endpoints.

Use [Quickstart](/quickstart), [API guides](/api-guides/contacts), and [API reference](/api-reference/introduction) for implementation details.