---
title: Create a REST API
description: Create a REST API with FastAPI, PostgreSQL, SQLAlchemy, Pydantic, and Ruff using the Better Fullstack REST API pack.
updated: 2026-05-21
category: Packs
tags:
  - rest-api
  - fastapi
  - python
  - sqlalchemy
  - pydantic
keywords:
  - create rest api
  - build rest api
  - fastapi rest api starter
  - python api starter
  - fastapi postgres sqlalchemy
---

Use the REST API pack when you need a focused backend service: routes, validation, persistence, and linting without a frontend.

<StarterPackCta id="rest-api" />

## Generate the REST API starter

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

```bash
bun create better-fullstack@latest my-rest-api \
  --ecosystem python \
  --python-web-framework fastapi \
  --python-orm sqlalchemy \
  --python-validation pydantic \
  --python-quality ruff
```

## What the pack includes

- FastAPI for REST endpoints and OpenAPI docs.
- SQLAlchemy for database models and queries.
- Pydantic for request and response validation.
- Ruff for Python linting and formatting.
- A small project layout that is easy to deploy as an API service.

## First things to customize

1. Replace sample resources with your domain models.
2. Add authentication if the API is not public.
3. Decide which routes are read-only and which mutate data.
4. Add integration tests for the routes that define your contract.

## When this is the right pack

Choose this for public APIs, service backends, internal platform APIs, webhook receivers, and products where a frontend will be built separately.

For a stack-level walkthrough, read [FastAPI with PostgreSQL and SQLAlchemy](/guides/python/fastapi-postgres-sqlalchemy/).