docs: add ADR for modulestore crud api with custom serializers

Author: Taimoor Ahmed

docs/decisions/ADR-039-modulestore-crud-apis-with-custom-serializers.rst

@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+ADR-016: Provide Modulestore CRUD APIs via Custom DRF Layers
+============================================================
+
+:Status: Proposed
+:Date: 2026-04-08
+:Deciders: API Working Group
+
+Context
+=======
+
+Open edX currently lacks comprehensive REST APIs to create, view, update, and delete modulestore
+entities (courses, blocks). Modulestore is not backed by standard Django models, so DRF cannot be
+applied with model serializers directly.
+
+Decision
+========
+
+Implement modulestore APIs using DRF **with custom serializers and service methods**:
+
+1. Create DRF ViewSets for modulestore resources (course, block).
+2. Use explicit, non-model serializers for validation and representation.
+3. Enforce permissions and visibility rules appropriate for authoring roles.
+4. Provide OpenAPI schemas and examples for all operations.
+
+Relevance in edx-platform
+=========================
+
+* **Modulestore is not ORM-backed**: Courses and blocks live in modulestore
+  (MongoDB/split); ``xmodule.modulestore`` exposes ``get_course()``, ``get_item()``,
+  ``update_item()``, etc. DRF model serializers do not apply directly.
+* **Existing read-only APIs**: ``openedx/core/djangoapps/olx_rest_api/views.py``
+  uses ``@api_view(['GET'])`` and ``view_auth_classes()``, calls
+  ``modulestore().get_item()`` and ``serialize_modulestore_block_for_learning_core()``,
+  and returns a custom JSON shape (no ModelSerializer). Contentstore course API
+  (``cms/djangoapps/contentstore/api/views/utils.py``) uses ``BaseCourseView`` and
+  ``modulestore().get_course()`` with custom depth handling.
+* **Studio/course authoring**: Contentstore views (e.g. ``contentstore/views/block.py``,
+  ``course.py``) perform create/update/delete via Python APIs, not REST; this ADR
+  proposes exposing CRUD via DRF with custom serializers and service-layer methods.
+
+Code examples
+=============
+
+**Custom serializer (no model):**
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+   from rest_framework import serializers
+
+   class ModulestoreBlockSerializer(serializers.Serializer):
+       id = serializers.CharField(read_only=True)
+       block_type = serializers.CharField()
+       display_name = serializers.CharField(required=False)
+       parent = serializers.CharField(required=False)
+
+       def create(self, validated_data):
+           return modulestore_service.create_block(
+               self.context["course_key"], validated_data
+           )
+
+       def update(self, instance, validated_data):
+           return modulestore_service.update_block(instance, validated_data)
+
+**ViewSet with custom get_queryset / get_object:**
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+   from rest_framework import viewsets
+   from openedx.core.lib.api.view_utils import view_auth_classes
+
+   @view_auth_classes()
+   class ModulestoreBlockViewSet(viewsets.ModelViewSet):
+       serializer_class = ModulestoreBlockSerializer
+       permission_classes = [IsAuthenticated, HasStudioWriteAccess]
+
+       def get_object(self):
+           usage_key = UsageKey.from_string(self.kwargs["usage_key"])
+           if not has_studio_read_access(self.request.user, usage_key.course_key):
+               raise PermissionDenied()
+           return modulestore().get_item(usage_key)
+
+       def get_queryset(self):
+           course_key = CourseKey.from_string(self.kwargs["course_id"])
+           return modulestore().get_items(course_key, ...)  # or service method
+
+   # Router: /api/modulestore/courses/<course_id>/blocks/ list, retrieve, create, update, destroy
+
+**Service layer (recommended):**
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+   # services.py
+   def get_block(usage_key, user):
+       if not has_studio_read_access(user, usage_key.course_key):
+           raise PermissionDenied()
+       return modulestore().get_item(usage_key)
+
+   def update_block(usage_key, user, data):
+       block = get_block(usage_key, user)
+       if not has_studio_write_access(user, usage_key.course_key):
+           raise PermissionDenied()
+       # Apply data to block, then modulestore().update_item(...)
+       return block
+
+Consequences
+============
+
+* Pros
+
+  * Enables cleaner authoring/integration flows for Studio/MFEs and external tools.
+  * Standardizes modulestore interactions behind documented REST APIs.
+
+* Cons / Costs
+
+  * Significant implementation effort; careful security/authorization required.
+  * Backing store migrations must be abstracted behind stable service interfaces.
+
+Implementation Notes
+====================
+
+* Start with read-only endpoints (GET) for course structure/blocks, then add write operations.
+* Ensure stable contracts independent of modulestore backend.
+
+References
+==========
+
+* “Modulestore APIs” recommendation in the Open edX REST API standardization notes.