How to Test API Endpoints Using an HTTP Client on macOS

For developers, a reliable HTTP client is an essential tool. Whether you’re building a REST API, testing a GraphQL endpoint, or debugging a webhook, you need a capable API client to send and inspect HTTP requests. While there are many great tools out there, they often come with trade-offs—some are command-line based, others are heavy desktop apps, and some require an internet connection.

Common HTTP, API, and REST Clients

cURL

The go-to command-line tool for making HTTP requests. It’s incredibly powerful and flexible, but it can be cumbersome to write and rewrite complex requests in the terminal, making it a less-than-ideal REST client for complex jobs.

Postman & Insomnia

These are popular, feature-rich desktop applications for API testing. They are fantastic as dedicated API clients, managing large collections of requests and collaborating with a team. However, they can be overkill for a quick, one-off request and their performance can sometimes feel sluggish.

Online HTTP Clients

Web-based HTTP clients are convenient for simple requests, but they come with a major drawback: you have to send your request data—including sensitive information like API keys or auth tokens—to a third-party server.

A Lightweight, Native Alternative: Devknife’s HTTP Client

Devknife includes a simple, yet powerful HTTP client designed for developers who need to make requests quickly and securely. It’s built right into the app, so you don’t need to install another tool or switch between different applications. Devknife’s HTTP client also functions as a highly capable API and REST client, ideal for various testing and debugging scenarios.

How it Works: The Power of .http Files

Devknife’s HTTP client is built around the versatile .http file format, providing a streamlined and powerful way to interact with APIs. Instead of a cumbersome graphical interface for building requests, you define your requests directly in a plain-text .http file, which Devknife then executes.

This approach offers significant advantages:

• Version Control Friendly: Store your API requests alongside your codebase. Since .http files are plain text, they are ideal for Git and other version control systems.
• Shareable and Collaborative: Easily share API definitions with your team. Everyone can use the same .http files, ensuring consistency in testing and development.
• Supports Advanced Features: Devknife’s .http file runner supports most standard .http file features. Devknife’s HTTP client fully supports the .http file specification, allowing for a powerful and standardized way to define your API interactions. This feature allows you to:
  • Define Multiple Requests: Group related requests within a single file.
  • Manage Variables, Environments, and Secrets: Parameterize your requests by defining variables for different environments (e.g., development, staging, production). Devknife supports reading variables from .env files, making it easy to manage dynamic data and secrets. This is ideal for handling authentication, as you can define sensitive credentials like tokens (e.g., Authorization: Bearer {{token}}) in your .env file and reference them in your .http file without hardcoding them.
  • Chain Requests: Execute requests sequentially, using outputs from one request as inputs for the next.
• Rapid Iteration: Quickly modify request parameters, headers, or bodies in your editor and run them instantly in Devknife.
• Clear and Readable: The .http file format is designed to be human-readable, making it easy to understand and maintain your API calls.

To get started, simply open or create an .http file directly within Devknife’s integrated editor, define your requests, and run them instantly. The results, including status codes, headers, and formatted response bodies, will be displayed clearly within the application.

Why use Devknife’s HTTP Client?

• Privacy-focused: All requests are made directly from your Mac. Nothing is sent to our servers, so you can safely test APIs and RESTful services that require secret keys or tokens.
• Lightweight and Fast: No need to open a heavy application for a simple task. Devknife is a native macOS app that is always ready when you need it.
• Integrated into your workflow: If you’re already using Devknife for its other tools, the HTTP client is just a click away. No need to switch contexts to use a separate API client.

If you’re looking for a fast, private, and easy-to-use HTTP, API, and REST client for your Mac, give Devknife a try. It’s the perfect companion for any developer who values speed and simplicity.