Set default content_type for Sinatra

Sure, add content_type to the before callback:

class MyApp < Sinatra::Base

  before do
    content_type 'application/json'
  end

  ...

end

Sinatra 1.1 introduces pattern-matching before filters:

before '/admin/*' do
  check_logged_in
end

For a JSON API the most recommendable way to set a default Content-Type for all your responses is to add the following in your Sinatra class:

set :default_content_type, :json

It will include a Content-Type: application/json header in all your responses.