# Yaak — Open-Source Desktop API Client for REST, GraphQL & gRPC

> Yaak is a modern, open-source desktop API client built with Tauri and Rust that supports REST, GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket, and Server-Sent Events in a fast, intuitive interface.

## Install

Save as a script file and run:

# Yaak — Open-Source Desktop API Client

## Quick Use
```bash
# Download from GitHub releases or install via package managers
brew install --cask yaak      # macOS
# Or download .deb/.AppImage/.exe from github.com/mountain-loop/yaak/releases
```

## Introduction
Yaak is a free, open-source API client for developers who want a lightweight alternative to Postman or Insomnia. Built on Tauri and Rust, it delivers native performance with a small footprint while supporting all major API protocols in one tool.

## What Yaak Does
- Sends and inspects REST, GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket, and SSE requests
- Organizes requests into workspaces and folders with environment variables
- Generates code snippets for multiple languages from any request
- Imports collections from Postman, Insomnia, OpenAPI, and curl
- Supports cookie jars, client certificates, and proxy configuration

## Architecture Overview
Yaak is built with Tauri (Rust backend + web frontend), giving it a native feel with a fraction of Electron's memory usage. The Rust core handles networking, TLS, and protocol logic while the TypeScript/React frontend provides the interactive UI. Data is stored locally in SQLite.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Download binaries for macOS, Windows, and Linux from GitHub Releases
- All data stored locally on disk; no cloud account required
- Environments support variable interpolation with Nunjucks-style templates
- Plugin system allows extending request hooks and authentication flows
- Themes and keyboard shortcuts are fully customizable

## Key Features
- Supports REST, GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket, and SSE in one client
- Built on Tauri/Rust for native speed and low memory usage
- One-click import from Postman, Insomnia, OpenAPI, and curl
- Git-friendly file-based storage for team collaboration
- Completely free and open source under MIT license

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Postman** — feature-rich but proprietary, cloud-dependent, heavier resource usage
- **Insomnia** — open-core but moved features behind paywall; Yaak stays fully free
- **Bruno** — also open-source and file-based; Yaak adds gRPC and WebSocket support
- **Hoppscotch** — web-based; Yaak is a native desktop app with offline support
- **HTTPie Desktop** — clean UI but limited protocol support compared to Yaak

## FAQ
**Q: Is Yaak truly free?**
A: Yes. Yaak is MIT-licensed with no premium tiers or cloud lock-in.

**Q: Can I import my Postman collections?**
A: Yes. Yaak imports Postman v2.1 collections, Insomnia exports, OpenAPI specs, and raw curl commands.

**Q: Does Yaak support environment variables?**
A: Yes. Yaak supports multiple environments with variable interpolation, including chained requests and response references.

**Q: What platforms does Yaak run on?**
A: macOS, Windows, and Linux (AppImage and .deb).

## Sources
- https://github.com/mountain-loop/yaak
- https://yaak.app

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/asset-2aca22ec
Author: Script Depot