Connect Custom API
to NIVA

• Inside your connection, click Add Endpoint. An endpoint is one specific action your system can perform, for example, _Create Appointment_, _Check Stock_, or _Look Up Customer_
• Give the endpoint a clear name that describes what it does in plain English
• Enter the path, the specific address for this action inside your system. This usually looks like /api/bookings or /customers/search. Your software provider's API documentation will list all available paths
• Choose the method, for fetching data, this is usually GET. For creating or submitting something, it's usually POST
• Add parameters, these are the pieces of information this action needs. For a booking, that might be: name, date, and email. For each one, mark whether it is required and whether it goes in the URL or the request body (your documentation will specify)
• Optionally, list the response fields your system sends back, like a booking confirmation ID or availability count. NIVA can save these and use them in the bot's reply

Test it right here. Once you've saved an endpoint, switch to the _Test_ tab inside that same endpoint window. Fill in example values and click Run Test, you'll see the real response from your system instantly. Every test is logged so you can review what was sent and what came back.

• Option A, Guided Flow (recommended for structured processes like bookings or registrations): Go to Flows in the sidebar and open your flow or create a new one. Add an API Call block at the point where you want the action to happen. Select your connection and endpoint, then map each collected answer to the right field. The bot will walk every visitor through the same steps in order.
• Option B, Smart AI (recommended for free-form questions and lookups): Go to your bot's Settings → Tools, find your connection, and switch it on. Write a short plain-English description of when the AI should use it, for example: _"Use this to check live availability when a visitor asks about open slots or dates."_ The AI will read every message and call your system automatically when it's relevant.

How it feels to your visitor Hi! I can book you in. What's your name? Sarah Johnson Which date works for you? Next Thursday ✓ Done! Your appointment is booked for Thursday. You'll receive a confirmation shortly. How it feels to your visitor Do you have anything free next Saturday for two people? Let me check that for you… _(checking availability)_ Yes! We have 3 options open on Saturday. A morning slot at 10am, afternoon at 2pm, and evening at 6pm. Which works best for you? You can use both options at the same time. For example, a Flow handles new bookings step-by-step while the Smart AI handles free-text questions like "what's my booking status?" or "is the 5pm slot still available?"

• Test the connection, In your API Connection settings, click Test Connection. NIVA will ping your system and confirm it can reach it successfully. A green tick means you're connected
• Test each endpoint, Open any endpoint, switch to the Test tab, fill in realistic values, and click Run Test. You'll see the exact response your system returns, confirm the right fields come back
• Preview the full conversation, Use the bot preview in your dashboard to go through the journey as a real visitor. Check the bot collects all the right information and your system receives it correctly
• Check the execution log, Click the View Logs button on any endpoint to see a full history of every call: what was sent, what came back, whether it succeeded, and how long it took. This is your best tool for catching anything unexpected before going live

When everything looks right in the preview, click Publish on your bot. From that point on, every submission, lookup, and action your chatbot handles goes directly into your system, automatically, 24 hours a day.