Webhook

A webhook is an automatic message one application sends to another the moment a particular event happens. It works as the reverse of a traditional API ✕ An API is a set of rules that lets two programs talk to each other. It works like a go-between that carries requests from one application to another and returns the response. More in the glossary → : instead of your system repeatedly asking "has anything happened yet?", the service notifies you on its own as soon as it does, sending the data to a web address (URL) you have set up to receive it. That is why it is sometimes called a "reverse API" or a server ✕ A server is a powerful computer that provides data or services to other devices — for example serving a website or storing your cloud files. More in the glossary → -to-server push notification. A typical example: when a customer completes a payment, the payment gateway fires a webhook that tells your shop to activate the order instantly. It is more efficient than constant polling, saves resources and enables immediate reactions. It is used a great deal to connect tools and automate workflows between different services.