# Response Format Principles
> Consistency is key - choose a format and stick to it.
## Common Patterns
```
Choose one:
├── Envelope pattern ({ success, data, error })
├── Direct data (just return the resource)
└── HAL/JSON:API (hypermedia)
```
## Error Response
```
Include:
├── Error code (for programmatic handling)
├── User message (for display)
├── Details (for debugging, field-level errors)
├── Request ID (for support)
└── NOT internal details (security!)
```
## Pagination Types
| Type | Best For | Trade-offs |
|------|----------|------------|
| **Offset** | Simple, jumpable | Performance on large datasets |
| **Cursor** | Large datasets | Can't jump to page |
| **Keyset** | Performance critical | Requires sortable key |
### Selection Questions
1. How large is the dataset?
2. Do users need to jump to specific pages?
3. Is data frequently changing?
