---
title: Create a Java API
description: Create a Java API with Spring Boot, Spring Security, Spring Data JPA, Flyway, Gradle, JUnit 5, and Testcontainers.
updated: 2026-05-21
category: Packs
tags:
  - java
  - spring-boot
  - spring-security
  - jpa
  - testcontainers
keywords:
  - create java api
  - spring boot api starter
  - java rest api starter
  - spring security api
  - spring boot jpa starter
---

Use the Java API pack when you want a Spring service with security, persistence, migrations, and tests included from the start.

<StarterPackCta id="java-api" />

## Generate the Java API starter

Open the [Java API pack in the Stack Builder](/new?preset=java-secure&view=command), or run:

```bash
bun create better-fullstack@latest my-java-api \
  --ecosystem java \
  --java-web-framework spring-boot \
  --java-build-tool gradle \
  --java-orm spring-data-jpa \
  --java-auth spring-security \
  --java-libraries spring-actuator flyway \
  --java-testing-libraries junit5 testcontainers
```

## What the pack includes

- Spring Boot for the API application.
- Spring Security for protected routes.
- Spring Data JPA for persistence.
- Flyway for database migrations.
- Gradle for builds.
- JUnit 5 and Testcontainers for tests.

## First things to customize

1. Replace sample entities with your aggregate roots and repositories.
2. Configure Spring Security around your real authentication model.
3. Add Flyway migrations before relying on generated schema behavior.
4. Keep Testcontainers close to the API contract tests.

## When this is the right pack

Choose this for enterprise APIs, team-owned backend services, secure admin systems, and projects where the Java/Spring ecosystem is the expected production foundation.

For the stack-level walkthrough, read [Secure Spring Boot API](/guides/java/spring-security-api/).