Altair GraphQL Client — Feature-Rich GraphQL IDE for All Platforms

Introduction

Altair GraphQL Client is an open-source, feature-rich GraphQL IDE that runs as a desktop app, browser extension, or web app. It goes beyond basic query execution to offer file uploads, environment management, pre-request scripts, and plugin support.

What Altair GraphQL Client Does

• Sends GraphQL queries, mutations, and subscriptions with full autocompletion
• Manages environment variables and headers across multiple workspaces
• Supports file uploads via the GraphQL multipart request specification
• Runs pre-request and post-request scripts in JavaScript for dynamic workflows
• Generates query documentation from the introspection schema automatically

Architecture Overview

Altair is built with Angular and runs as an Electron desktop app, a browser extension (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), and a Progressive Web App. The core editor uses CodeMirror with a custom GraphQL language mode. Plugin support allows third-party extensions to add themes, importers, and custom actions.

Self-Hosting & Configuration

• Download desktop builds for macOS, Windows, and Linux from the official site
• Install browser extensions from Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, or Edge Add-ons
• Access the web version at altairgraphql.dev without installation
• Configure multiple environments (dev, staging, prod) with variable switching
• Add plugins from the built-in plugin manager for themes and custom functionality

Key Features

• Multi-window and multi-tab interface for managing queries across endpoints
• File upload support that most GraphQL IDEs lack
• Pre-request scripts enable dynamic header injection (e.g., JWT token refresh)
• Collection management for organizing and sharing saved queries
• Response stats showing query timing, size, and status codes

Comparison with Similar Tools

• GraphiQL — official GraphQL Foundation IDE; Altair adds file uploads and pre-request scripts
• GraphQL Playground — archived project; Altair is actively maintained with more features
• Insomnia — general API client with GraphQL mode; Altair is GraphQL-specialized
• Postman — broad API platform; Altair provides deeper GraphQL-specific tooling
• Apollo Studio — cloud-based with team features; Altair is local-first and open source

FAQ

Q: Does Altair support GraphQL subscriptions? A: Yes. It supports subscriptions over WebSocket, SSE (Server-Sent Events), and other transport protocols.

Q: Can I upload files through Altair? A: Yes. Altair supports the GraphQL multipart request spec for file uploads, a feature most competitors lack.

Q: Is it free for commercial use? A: Yes. Altair is licensed under MIT and free for all use cases.

Q: How do pre-request scripts work? A: Write JavaScript in the pre-request script panel to dynamically set headers, variables, or environment values before each query executes.

Sources

• https://github.com/altair-graphql/altair
• https://altairgraphql.dev/