---
title: "Programmable API Management"
description:
  "Developer portals, auth, rate limiting, and full programmability on one platform — the same gateway that governs your AI and MCP traffic. Configured out of the box, customizable in TypeScript, deployed globally via GitOps."
canonicalUrl: "https://zuplo.com/api-management"
sourceUrl: "https://zuplo.com/api-management"
pageType: "product"
generatedAt: "2026-10-21"
---

# Programmable API Management

> Stop stitching together a gateway, a portal, auth, and analytics. Everything it takes to run an API in production on one platform — programmable in TypeScript when the defaults don't fit, and now running your AI and MCP traffic too.

## Everything you need to manage APIs at scale.

Authentication, rate limiting, developer portals, MCP servers, and full programmability — in one platform.

### Programmable: Never limited by your gateway's config.

Configure the standard policies without code. When defaults don't fit, TypeScript is the escape hatch — not the starting point. [Learn more](/features/programmable)

### Dev Portal: Developer portals that don't suck.

Customers subscribe, manage keys, and see usage — always in sync with your API. [Learn more](/features/developer-portal)

### MCP Server: Turn your API into an MCP server.

Your OpenAPI spec becomes MCP tools that agents can discover and call safely. Related: [AI Gateway](/ai-gateway), [MCP Gateway](/mcp-gateway). [Learn more](/features/mcp-servers)

### Rate Limit: Rate limiting, your way.

Throttle by endpoint, key, user, or any condition — simple limits now, programmable logic when you need it. [Learn more](/features/rate-limiting)

### Authentication: Authentication, without the pain.

Every auth method, production-grade out of the box — and secret scanning catches leaks before they ship. [Learn more](/features/authentication)

### Open API: One standard through the lifecycle.

Built on OpenAPI, shipped via git commit — governance that doesn't slow teams down. [Learn more](/features/open-api)

## When presets aren't enough, drop into code.

Every policy is just a TypeScript function — customize it, ship it via git. Here's role-based access in practice.

```typescript
// custom-rbac-policy.ts
export default async function policy(
  request: ZuploRequest,
  context: ZuploContext,
  options: { role: string }
) {
  if (request.user.data.roles.includes(options.role)) {
    return request;
  }
  return new Response("User does not have the correct permissions", {
    status: 403,
  });
}
```

### Need a hand writing your first policy?

Spend 30 minutes with a Zuplo architect — we'll map your APIs and sketch the policy you need, in TypeScript. [Request a meeting](/schedule-call?utm_content=api-management-meeting)

## FAQ

### What is API management and why does it matter?

API management is the practice of designing, securing, deploying, and observing APIs at scale. It covers authentication, rate limiting, developer portals, monetization, analytics, and lifecycle governance. Zuplo handles all of this on a single programmable platform — so your APIs ship faster and stay reliable as they grow.

### How is Zuplo different from legacy API management platforms?

Legacy platforms like Apigee, Mulesoft, or Azure API Management rely on XML workflows, GUI-driven configuration, or proprietary DSLs. Zuplo lets you write real TypeScript for any policy or transformation, deploy via GitOps, and version everything with git. You get unlimited extensibility without locking yourself into a vendor's expression language.

### Can I use my existing OpenAPI specs?

Yes — OpenAPI is Zuplo's source of truth. Drop in your spec and Zuplo generates routes, validates requests, drives the developer portal, and powers your MCP server. Update the spec via a git commit and Zuplo's deployment pipeline takes care of the rest.

### How does authentication work in Zuplo?

Zuplo ships first-class policies for API keys, JWT, OAuth 2.0, Basic Auth, mTLS, and secure tunnels. API keys are managed through a self-serve portal with built-in rotation, scoping, and GitHub secret scanning that catches leaks before they reach production. You can also write a custom auth policy in TypeScript for any non-standard scheme.

### Where does Zuplo run?

Zuplo deploys to 300+ edge locations globally. You can also run Zuplo as Managed Dedicated on AWS, Azure, GCP, Akamai, or Equinix, or self-host in your own Kubernetes cluster. The same TypeScript policies, OpenAPI specs, and GitOps workflow apply across every deployment target.

### Can I monetize my APIs with Zuplo?

Yes. Zuplo includes built-in monetization that lets you offer tiered pricing, usage-based billing, and self-serve subscriptions directly from your developer portal — no separate billing system to maintain. Combine it with custom quotas for fine-grained per-tier metering.

## Next steps

Ship API management your way. Free to start. Production-ready on day one. Built for teams that don't want to write XML.

- [Start for Free](https://portal.zuplo.com/signup)
- [Talk to an API Expert](/schedule-call?utm_content=api-management)