REST Lab

A modern REST API client for Visual Studio Code. Test, debug, and manage your APIs with a beautiful, intuitive interface.

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✨ Features

🚀 Full HTTP Method Support

Test your APIs with all standard HTTP methods including GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, and OPTIONS.

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📁 Organize with Collections & Folders

Create folders to organize your API requests. Keep your workspace clean and structured with unlimited collections.

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⚙️ Folder-Level Configuration

Set base URLs and default headers at the folder level. All requests within a folder automatically inherit these settings, reducing repetitive configuration.

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🌍 Environment Support

Create multiple environments per collection (for example: Local, Staging, Production), mark one as active, and use variables across requests.

• Collection-scoped environments with fast switching
• Enable/disable individual variables
• Variable autocomplete when typing {{ in supported fields
• Real-time interpolation preview in the request URL

Use variable syntax:

• {{baseUrl}}
• {{token}}
• {{userId}}

Variables are applied in:

• Request URL and query params
• Request headers
• Request body
• Folder settings such as base URL, header values, and query params

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📝 Modern Request Editor

Clean, intuitive interface for crafting requests with editable names, organized tabs, and easy-to-use editors.

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🎯 Multiple Content Types

Support for all common content types:

• JSON (with syntax highlighting)
• XML
• Form URL Encoded
• Multipart Form Data
• Plain Text
• HTML

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📤 File Upload Support

Easily upload files using multipart form data with built-in file picker.

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💡 Smart Header Autocomplete

Intelligent autocomplete for common HTTP headers makes request configuration faster and error-free.

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📊 Beautiful Response Viewer

View formatted responses with:

• Syntax-highlighted JSON/XML
• Response headers display
• Status code indicators
• Response time tracking
• Response size metrics

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📥 Export/Import Collections

Export/Import your existing collections from:

• REST Lab native format
• Postman (v2.1 format)
• Thunder Client

Share your API collections with team members or backup your work.

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🔧 Copy as cURL

Generate cURL commands from any request with a single click. Perfect for sharing API calls or debugging in terminal.

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🎨 Drag & Drop Organization

Reorder your requests and folders with intuitive drag-and-drop functionality.

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💾 Persistent Storage

All your requests, folders, and configurations are automatically saved and persist across VS Code sessions.

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📋 Response Actions

• Copy response data to clipboard
• Download response as file
• Beautify JSON/XML responses
• View raw response data

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🚀 Getting Started

Installation

1. Open VS Code
2. Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X / Cmd+Shift+X)
3. Search for "REST Lab"
4. Click Install

Quick Start

1. Open REST Lab: Click the REST Lab icon in the Activity Bar (left sidebar)
2. Create a Folder: Click the folder icon (📁) to create your first collection
3. Configure Folder (Optional): Click the ⚙️ icon to set base URL and default headers
4. Add Environment (Optional): In collection settings, open the Environments tab and add env variables
5. Add Request: Click the ➕ icon to create a new request
6. Send Request: Configure your request and click the Send button!

Environment Quick Start

1. Open a collection and go to the Environments tab
2. Create environments like Local, Staging, and Production
3. Add variables such as baseUrl, token, userId
4. Mark one environment as active
5. Use variables in requests with {{variableName}}
6. Switch the active environment from the request editor dropdown when needed

Environment Behavior

• Environments are stored at the root collection level
• Nested folders and requests use the active environment from their root collection
• Only enabled variables are applied
• If a variable does not exist, the placeholder is left unchanged
• In folder settings, local active-environment variables override inherited environment variables with the same key

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💡 Usage Tips

• Organize by Project: Create separate folders for different APIs or projects
• Use Base URLs: Set base URLs at the folder level to avoid repetition
• Default Headers: Configure common headers (like Authorization) at folder level
• Use Environments: Keep separate values for local, staging, and production
• Use Variables Everywhere: Reuse {{variables}} in URLs, headers, params, and body
• Quick Testing: Press Send button or use keyboard shortcuts for faster testing
• Import Existing: Migrate from Postman or Thunder Client using the import feature

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📋 Requirements

• Visual Studio Code 1.85.0 or later

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🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Feel free to submit issues and pull requests.

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📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE.md file for details.

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Enjoy testing your APIs with REST Lab! 🧪

Made with ❤️ for the VS Code community