The discussion revolves around whether a plugin or theme component is best for handling external API calls related to a certification program. noahl outlines a process where users input a certification ID via a button in a plugin outlet, which then validates the ID through an API and adds the user to a certified group. merefield suggests that if the certification involves verifiable credentials, a plugin might be necessary. However, since the certification is an internal system, noahl considers using a user field visible only to the user and admins, with a webhook triggering a middle service to check the certification API and update the user’s group via the Discourse API. This approach is seen as simpler than developing a full plugin noahl.
We have a certification program and want to allow users to join the certified group after confirming their certification ID.
The current idea:
I want to understand if this is best suited as a Plugin or a Theme component since it’s dealing with API calls
This is the full monty:
But depends if your certification programme grants verifiable credentials …
I think this might be a little different 
Our certification is “someone finished a course and where given a certification with an ID”.
It’s an in house system, rather than an exisiting platform if that makes any difference. Currently, it takes 2 pieces of info (the users email, and the ID) and will return the certifications they have completed
You might get away with a User Field which are exposed on the API.
If not, you’ll need a plugin.
But you’ll need to work out who can see what.
If this is confidential to the User or it’s ok for others to see it etc.
See:
Amazing!
So thinking out aloud here:
Sounds like the most straight forward approach, rather than a plugin