Webhook
Definition
An automated HTTP callback that sends real-time data to a URL when an event occurs, letting systems notify each other without polling.In-Depth Explanation
A webhook reverses the usual request model: instead of an app repeatedly asking "has anything changed?", the source system pushes an HTTP POST to a pre-registered URL the moment an event fires. This event-driven pattern is efficient for real-time integrations such as payment confirmations, new messages, or completed jobs. AI tools use webhooks to signal when a long-running generation finishes or to trigger downstream automations. It complements APIs, which the client actively calls.
Real-World Example
A video-generation service fires a webhook to your server when a render completes, so your app can fetch the result.