Understand the direction
A webhook is an HTTP callback: one system sends a request to another when a configured event occurs. This is a general integration pattern; confirm whether the product offers webhooks and which events it exposes.
Validate incoming requests
Use the provider’s documented signature verification or authentication method. Protect secrets, use HTTPS, validate the payload, and reject requests that fail verification. Respond within the documented timeout and move slow processing to a suitable background workflow.
Expect retries
Networks fail and providers may retry delivery. Design handlers to tolerate duplicates using an event identifier where available. Record enough operational metadata to troubleshoot without placing tokens or sensitive message bodies in logs.
A reliable event-handling pattern
A receiver can validate the provider’s signature, acknowledge the event within the documented deadline, and place the work in a queue for processing. Store a stable event ID where the provider supplies one so a retry does not perform the same action twice. Treat the payload as untrusted input and log an operational ID rather than sensitive message contents. The exact implementation must follow the provider’s specification.
Choose the next step
| Situation | What to check |
|---|---|
| Signature verification fails | Reject the request and investigate the configuration. |
| An event is delivered twice | Use an idempotent handler and documented event identifier. |
| Processing is slow | Acknowledge according to the contract and process asynchronously where appropriate. |
A practical checklist
- Confirm supported events and the delivery contract.
- Authenticate incoming requests using documented methods.
- Process retries and duplicate events safely.
- Monitor failures and rotate signing secrets.