diff --git a/packages/core/src/api/apis/definitions/errors.ts b/packages/core/src/api/apis/definitions/errors.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..eb195898d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core/src/api/apis/definitions/errors.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2020 Spotify AB
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+import ApiRef from '../ApiRef';
+
+/**
+ * Mirrors the javascript Error class, for the purpose of
+ * providing documentation and optional fields.
+ */
+export type Error = {
+  name: string;
+  message: string;
+  stack?: string;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Provides additional information about an error that was posted to the application.
+ */
+export type ErrorContext = {
+  // If set to true, this error should not be displayed to the user. Defaults to false.
+  hidden?: boolean;
+};
+
+/**
+ * The error API is used to report errors to the app, and display them to the user.
+ *
+ * Plugins can use this API as a method of displaying errors to the user, but also
+ * to report errors for collection by error reporting services.
+ *
+ * If an error can be displayed inline, e.g. as feedback in a form, that should be
+ * preferred over relying on this API to display the error. The main use of this api
+ * for displaying errors should be for asynchronous errors, such as a failing background process.
+ *
+ * Even if an error is displayed inline, it should still be reported through this api
+ * if it would be useful to collect or log it for debugging purposes, but with
+ * the hidden flag set. For example, an error arising from form field validation
+ * should probably not be reported, while a failed REST call would be useful to report.
+ */
+export type ErrorApi = {
+  /**
+   * Post an error for handling by the application.
+   */
+  post(error: Error, context?: ErrorContext);
+};
+
+export const errorApiRef = new ApiRef<ErrorApi>({
+  id: 'core.error',
+  description: 'Used to report errors and forward them to the app',
+});
diff --git a/packages/core/src/api/apis/definitions/index.ts b/packages/core/src/api/apis/definitions/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..02d2b893a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core/src/api/apis/definitions/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2020 Spotify AB
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+// This folder contains definitions for all core APIs.
+//
+// Plugins should rely on these APIs for functionality as much as possible.
+//
+// If you think some API definition is missing, please open an Issue or send a PR!
+
+export * from './errors';
diff --git a/packages/core/src/api/apis/index.ts b/packages/core/src/api/apis/index.ts
index a49a622858..650948edc0 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/api/apis/index.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/api/apis/index.ts
@@ -18,3 +18,4 @@ export { default as ApiProvider, useApi } from './ApiProvider';
 export { default as ApiRegistry } from './ApiRegistry';
 export { default as ApiTestRegistry } from './ApiTestRegistry';
 export * from './types';
+export * from './definitions';