# VS Code REST Client — Send HTTP Requests from Your Editor

> A VS Code extension for sending HTTP requests and viewing responses directly in the editor, replacing standalone API clients like Postman for many workflows.

## Install

Save in your project root:

# VS Code REST Client — Send HTTP Requests from Your Editor

## Quick Use
```bash
code --install-extension humao.rest-client
# Create a file named api.http and add:
# GET https://httpbin.org/get
# Then click "Send Request" above the line
```

## Introduction
REST Client lets you send HTTP requests and view responses directly inside Visual Studio Code. You write requests in plain `.http` or `.rest` files that are human-readable, version-controllable, and shareable with your team — no separate GUI tool needed.

## What VS Code REST Client Does
- Send GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, and other HTTP methods from `.http` files
- Display formatted response bodies with syntax highlighting
- Support environment variables for switching between dev, staging, and production
- Chain requests by referencing response values from previous calls
- Generate code snippets for cURL, Python, JavaScript, and other languages

## Architecture Overview
The extension parses `.http` and `.rest` files using a custom syntax that supports headers, body content, and variable interpolation. When you trigger a request, it executes the HTTP call using Node.js built-in modules, then renders the response in a side panel with syntax highlighting, timing information, and header inspection.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Install from the VS Code marketplace with no external dependencies
- Define environment variables in VS Code settings or a `.env` file
- Configure default request headers that apply to all requests
- Set response preview behavior (full body, headers only, or exchange view)
- Enable certificate verification settings for self-signed HTTPS endpoints

## Key Features
- Plain-text `.http` files are easy to read, diff, and commit to version control
- Multiple requests per file separated by `###` delimiters
- Variable support with `@variable = value` syntax and environment switching
- Request history with quick replay of previous calls
- GraphQL query support with syntax highlighting

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Postman** — full GUI application; REST Client keeps everything in your editor and version control
- **Insomnia** — standalone app with collections; REST Client uses plain text files
- **Bruno** — Git-friendly API client; REST Client requires no separate application
- **Hoppscotch** — web-based API testing; REST Client works offline inside VS Code
- **cURL** — command-line only; REST Client adds visual response formatting and variable management

## FAQ
**Q: Can I use environment variables for API keys?**
A: Yes. Define variables in VS Code settings per environment and switch between them with a status bar selector.

**Q: Does it support authentication?**
A: Yes. Basic auth, bearer tokens, and custom headers are supported. You can also use variables to keep secrets out of committed files.

**Q: Can I chain requests together?**
A: Yes. Name a request with `# @name myRequest`, then reference its response body in subsequent requests using `{{myRequest.response.body.token}}`.

**Q: What file extensions are supported?**
A: `.http` and `.rest` files both activate the extension.

## Sources
- https://github.com/Huachao/vscode-restclient
- https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=humao.rest-client

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/asset-1a992a19
Author: AI Open Source