Flask is a very light weight micro-framework for Python. Compared to other bulky frameworks, Flask is easier to get started and is often more open/modular, allowing developers to use their preferred packages and dependencies. For many teams, this flexible modularity comes at a cost, developers implement suboptimal patterns that prevent their apps/apis from fully scaling and creating tech-debt that lowers productivity. In this talk I'll cover an intro to the Flask framework, why it's a great option for some teams, and how it works. I'll share some real-world examples of best practices, common pitfalls (and how to avoid them), and design patterns that make APIs integrators love using and developers love building. Some specific topics I'll cover: Flask architecture, request lifecycles, security & auth packages, REST + CRUD API patterns, ORMs, separation of concerns, information hiding.