Overview
While the VerseDB API provides extensive access to comic data and user features, certain functionality is intentionally excluded from the public API. These decisions prioritize security, data integrity, spam prevention, and user safety.
Features NOT Available via API
User Registration & Account Management
Warning
**Not Available**
- Creating new user accounts
- Email verification
- Password reset/changes
- Account deletion
Why: Prevents automated bot signups. These operations require email verification, CAPTCHA, and other anti-abuse measures that need web UI safeguards.
Use instead: versedb.com/register
Content Edit Submissions
Warning
**Not Available**
- Submitting edits to series, issues, characters
- Contributing new data to the database
- Uploading cover images (non-admin)
- Suggesting corrections or additions
Why: Requires approval workflow and moderation. The XP/gamification system is tied to web-based submissions, and manual review prevents spam.
Use instead: "Edit Content" buttons on entity pages at versedb.com
Writing Reviews
Warning
**Not Available**
- Creating new reviews
- Editing existing reviews
- Deleting reviews
Why: Spam and abuse prevention. Reviews require rate limiting beyond standard API limits and need moderation.
Use instead: Review system on issue pages at versedb.com
Content Reporting & Moderation
Warning
**Not Available**
- Reporting incorrect data
- Flagging inappropriate content
- Reporting abuse or policy violations
- Disputing edit rejections
Why: Requires manual review and context. These features need moderation workflow and are sensitive to misuse.
Use instead: Report buttons on content pages
Admin & Moderator Operations
Warning
**Not Available**
- Approving/rejecting content edits
- Managing user permissions
- Bulk operations on database
- Reward configuration changes
- User moderation actions
Why: Security-critical operations that require special authentication and audit logging. Reserved for verified admin accounts.
Note
Admin functionality is available through the web-based admin panel at `/admin` for authorized administrators only.
Social Features
Warning
**Not Available**
- Direct messaging between users
- Following other users (different from following titles)
- Activity feed/timeline
- Commenting on content (outside reviews)
Why: Not yet implemented in the platform. Would require significant anti-spam measures and has privacy concerns.
Payment & Subscription Management
Warning
**Limited Availability**
- Cannot process payments via API
- Cannot upgrade/downgrade subscriptions via API
- Cannot manage billing information via API
Why: PCI compliance requirements. Payment processing requires secure payment gateway integration and is best handled through web UI.
Use instead: versedb.com/subscription
Bulk Import/Export
Warning
**Not Available**
- Mass importing collection from CSV
- Exporting entire database subsets
- Batch creating multiple issues/series
- Downloading large datasets
Why: Rate limiting concerns and server resource management. Data integrity requires proper validation.
Use instead: Import/export features on website (for personal data)
What IS Available via API
For clarity, here's what you CAN do:
Tip
**Reading Data (Authenticated)**
- Browse publishers, series, issues, characters
- Search creators and characters
- View story arcs and reading orders
- Access public user profiles and collections
- Find comic shops and inventory
Tip
**Managing Personal Data (Authenticated)**
- Add/remove items from collection
- Manage user lists and wishlist
- Update pull list
- Track reading progress
- Follow/unfollow titles
- Update profile settings
- Manage API tokens
Tip
**PRO Features**
- Relationship endpoints (series issues, creators, etc.)
- Market data access
- Higher rate limits
Why These Limits Exist
| Category | Reason |
|----------|--------|
| Security & Safety | Prevent automated abuse, protect user privacy, require human verification |
| Quality Control | Ensure manual review of contributions, prevent low-quality submissions |
| Performance | Prevent API abuse, manage server resources, ensure fair access |
| Legal & Compliance | Meet payment processing requirements, comply with data protection |
Alternative Solutions
If you need functionality not available in the API:
Option 1: Use the Web Interface Most unavailable features work perfectly through the website at versedb.com.
Option 2: Feature Requests Suggest new API features through VerseDB Discord or forums. Explain your use case and demonstrate need.
Quick Summary
- User registration/account management
- Direct payment processing
- Content reporting and moderation tools
- Some bulk operations (with limits)
- Social features (if/when implemented)
- Everything else