From Lama2 to LiveAPI: Building Super-Convenient API Documentation (Part II)

In my previous post, I shared how a small team of students working part-time built Lama2—a tool that simplified API collection and execution.

It quickly became an essential part of our workflow, but as our API repositories grew, Lama2's manual process started showing its limits.

The Challenges of Scaling Lama2

When we started, our team consisted of five students juggling part-time work and studies.

We worked 3-4 hours daily, often pushing the boundaries of our limited capabilities. Lama2 was just one of three projects we were building at the time.

Despite our constraints, Lama2 received a good reception on Hacker News. We even gained some early advocates for the product. For a CLI tool and niche language, it was a solid response.

However, shipping features still took us longer than we hoped. By the time we were ready to compete, the market for API clients was already crowded.

Established teams working full-time on similar products gained traction through their hard work and outreach. While Lama2 solved real problems, it didn’t generate the widespread buzz we had envisioned.

We realized that for Lama2 to make a real impact, it needed more than just execution tools.

The Challenges of Scaling Lama2

When we started, our team consisted of five students juggling part-time work and studies.

We worked 3-4 hours daily, often pushing the boundaries of our limited capabilities. Lama2 was just one of three projects we were building at the time.

Despite our constraints, Lama2 received a good reception on Hacker News. We even gained some early advocates for the product. For a CLI tool and niche language, it was a solid response.

However, shipping features still took us longer than we hoped. By the time we were ready to compete, the market for API clients was already crowded.

Established teams working full-time on similar products gained traction through their hard work and outreach. While Lama2 solved real problems, it didn’t generate the widespread buzz we had envisioned.

We realized that for Lama2 to make a real impact, it needed more than just execution tools.

The Problem with Manual API Documentation

Even with Lama2, maintaining large API collections was daunting. Initially, collecting APIs in a single repository for all services felt manageable. But as we scaled to four backends and hundreds of APIs, the process became overwhelming.

We knew firsthand how frustrating it was to manually document and sync API changes. And we weren’t alone—every developer faces this challenge when dealing with large API collections.

A Vision for Automation

We knew we needed to automate the workflow, making API documentation effortless and execution seamless. Our goal was to eliminate manual steps and create a tool that could:

1. Automatically document APIs as code was merged, without need of setting up any kind of meta tags etc.
2. Keep documentation updated with every change
3. Allow anyone in the organization to execute APIs with ease

Our goal was simple: "Super-Convenient API Documentation."

Imagine a system where:

• Input: A repository link
• Output: Fully documented APIs that stay updated with every commit.

Building LiveAPI

To bring this vision to life, we started developing LiveAPI, a platform designed with the following key features:

1. One-Click Repository Connection: Developers could connect their GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket repository effortlessly.
2. Automated Documentation Generation: Documentation would be generated automatically for every commit, with auto-syncing to keep it up-to-date.
3. Automated Code Snippets: Generate code snippets for any language, enabling frontend developers to move faster.
4. Developer-Friendly Experience: Minimal setup, maximum convenience.
5. LiveAPI Runner with Privacy First:
   • We never store your repository’s code.
   • Using our logic, we extract only routes and API validators.
   • This entire process runs on your private server, ensuring your data never leaves your infrastructure.

Spreading the Word

After months of work, LiveAPI is ready. We built a tool that could take the pain out of managing and documenting APIs, enabling teams to focus on building features rather than wrangling documentation.

Now, it’s time to share what we’ve built with the world. If you’re looking for a Super-Convenient API Docs Generation tool that makes your workflow smoother and your documentation effortless, give LiveAPI a try.

Check it out and see how it can transform your team’s API management process.

Connect with Me

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Connect with me on X for early access and to see how LiveAPI can work for your organization. Let’s make API management easier, together!