Behind the GUI: Is Nerdio Actually an API Company in Disguise?

You’d be forgiven for thinking of Nerdio primarily as a graphical interface layered over, or on top of Azure. After all, the intuitive UI, time-saving wizards, and rich policy management are often the first things that stand out. But beneath the dashboards lies something much more fundamental, and, arguably even more impactful, a robust and fully featured REST API surface.

The more I’ve worked with Nerdio Manager (both Enterprise and MSP), the more it’s become clear—Nerdio isn’t just a “UI company”. It’s a platform company. And at the core of that platform is an API-first design that (quietly) empowers developers, automation/  Devops engineers, and IT architects to go beyond what’s possible in the UI alone.

Nerdio’s REST API

Nerdio Manager’s REST API opens up full control over nearly every feature exposed in the platform. Whether you're building VMs, scaling host pools, integrating with other third party tooling, assigning policies, or automating scripted actions, the API allows for deeper integration into broader workflows. It’s not just a copy of the UI—it’s the engine behind it.

The API is robust, well-documented (Swagger, Postman), and actively evolving on an almost monthly basis. Authentication follows secure OAuth2 flows using Azure AD app registrations. Role-based access control (RBAC) applies to API permissions just like it does in the UI. All requests and responses use familiar JSON structures. It’s exactly what you’d expect from an enterprise-grade, cloud-native platform.

You’ll find the official API documentation right in the Nerdio Manager interface: Settings > Integrations > REST API > Postman collection / Documentation

This includes: Endpoints for host pool creation, scaling, and deletion Session host management VM lifecycle controls Scripted Action execution Intune policy group assignments (MSP only) Cost optimization settings User and role administration And much more...

Why That GUI Perception Is a Good Thing

It’s actually a good thing that Nerdio appears, at first glance, to be “just” a GUI based solution.

More and more IT teams are shifting toward modern cloud-native platforms—but that doesn’t mean they want to give up the simplicity they’re used to. Nerdio bridges that gap, more specifically for W365, Intune, and Azure Virtual Desktop. It offers a familiar experience. As such, most teams find themselves up and running within days—not weeks.

But once the environment is live, policies are in place, and the day-to-day workflows have settled in, something interesting starts to happen: teams begin to explore what else is possible. That’s when the real fun starts, digging into APIs, experimenting with automation, and building custom workflows tailored to their business. The GUI makes Nerdio accessible; the API makes it extensible.

Where the API Shines

Here are just a few ways teams are using the Nerdio API today—far beyond what the average UI user might realize:

• Self-service portals: Build custom front ends for specific teams (e.g., dev teams spinning up test environments) with limited, scoped access via API.

• When a new employee comes on board, you have an automated process to create various artifacts for the new employee such as an email account, assign a Microsoft 365 license, and grant access to corporate assets. You would like to extend this automated process to assign an AVD desktop to the user as well.

• Similarly, when an employee leaves the organization, you would like to remove the departing employee's access to their AVD desktop as part of an ITSM flow.

• You would like to apply the latest Windows updates to Desktop Images in Nerdio Manager based on triggering actions in your ITSM workflow.

• Your corporate governance requires you to export Nerdio Manager logs and archive the logs in a data store.

• Time-bound resources: Automatically deploy and remove temporary development or training VMs with countdown timers tied to API triggers.

• CI/CD for IT: Include Nerdio configuration steps directly in build pipelines using Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions to prepare environments on-the-fly.

I’ve worked on several of these scenarios—including building an (self-service) interface that provisions an x number of VMs using Nerdio’s REST API and deletes them automatically after a set period. It's efficient, clean, and scalable.

Coming Soon: Advanced API Training

The best part? This deeper, API-driven use of Nerdio is no longer reserved for the adventurous few. We are currently developing a Level 300–400 advanced module for Nerdio’s Learning Management System (LMS) that focuses on leveraging the REST API. Some of what we’ll cover:

• Swagger and Postman documentation

• How to authenticate securely against the Nerdio API

• Real-world automation patterns using Python and PowerShell

• Triggering and chaining scripted actions from external systems

• GitHub integration strategies

• API-first environment provisioning

While we still have work to do, this has been a super fun experience so far. Digging into the API has not only expanded what’s possible with Nerdio—it’s given me a renewed appreciation for the platform’s engineering team as well. The aim is to have this module go live before year’s end, and when it does I won’t hesitate to share.

Beyond the Dashboard

So yes—Nerdio looks like a GUI company, and that’s the whole point. It lowers the barrier to entry, accelerates adoption, and most importantly gives people an experience they already understand. But under the hood, it’s something else entirely.

It’s a flexible, API-driven platform that gives users the freedom to build, automate, and scale their own way. Whether you're a trainer, an engineer, a developer, or an MSP architect, the Nerdio API deserves a place in your toolkit. Because in this case, the most powerful part of the platform might just be the part you never see.