Methods and systems for implementing an Action application programming interface (API) framework are described herein. A method of implementing an API framework starts by generating input work items from an external source for a first action included in a workflow. The external source includes a list of client devices to be backed up. The output work items for the first action are then populated when the first action is complete. The input work items for a second action included in the workflow are retrieved using the output work items for the first action. The input work items for the second action are filtered using a filter and the output work items for the second action are populated when the second action is complete.