Golden Retriever
REST API client in VS Code - Postman meets local Git
FreeIDE290 impressions#1603 of its week
Golden Retriever is a VS Code extension for testing REST and GraphQL APIs with Git-synced collections.
- for
- Developers who want an API client inside VS Code with version-controlled collections.
- pricing
- free
- license
- open source
Key features
- Git-Synced Collections — Store API collections as JSON files in a /collections folder and version them with Git.
- REST & GraphQL Support — Create, edit and send requests for both REST and GraphQL endpoints with dedicated editors.
- Environment Variables — Use .env files and {{VARIABLE}} syntax for URLs, headers and GraphQL variables.
- Collection Runner — Run whole collections or groups with real-time progress, iteration stats and test reporting.
- Test Scripts — Write and execute test scripts, chain requests and access response data via pm.environment.
- cURL Generation — Export any request as a cURL command for external use.
Use cases
- Version-control API test suites alongside source code
- Share Postman-compatible collections with teammates via Git
- Run automated API tests directly from VS Code
- Experiment with local-only collections without committing them
Golden Retriever vs alternatives
 Golden Retriever |  Hoppscotch |  Altair GraphQL Client |  Neovim | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Local-first API testing with Git sync | Web-based API testing | GraphQL-only desktop client | Terminal-based code editing |
| Pricing | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| DevHunt upvotes | 0 | 4 | 5 | 0 |
| Launched | Jan 2026 | Jan 2023 | Dec 2024 | — |
- Golden Retriever vs Hoppscotch: Hoppscotch is a web-based open-source API client, not a VS Code extension with Git sync.
- Golden Retriever vs Altair GraphQL Client: Altair is a standalone GraphQL client focused on schema exploration, whereas Golden Retriever handles both REST and GraphQL inside VS Code.
- Golden Retriever vs Neovim: Neovim is a terminal editor; it lacks built-in API testing features that Golden Retriever provides as a VS Code extension.
Golden Retriever FAQ
Where are my collections stored?+
Collections are saved as JSON files in the collections folder of your workspace, so they are version-controlled with your code.
Can I import Postman collections?+
Yes, Golden Retriever uses the Postman/Newman compatible format; just copy the JSON file into the collections folder.
Does it support both REST and GraphQL APIs?+
Yes, the extension provides dedicated editors and features for both REST and GraphQL requests.
How are environment variables handled?+
Variables are defined in a local .env file and referenced with {{VARIABLE_NAME}}; the file should be added to .gitignore for security.
Can I run multiple requests at once?+
Yes, you can run an entire collection or a group using the Collection Runner, which shows progress and stats.
Summarized by DevHunt from marketplace.visualstudio.com · Oct 8, 2026. Details may change; check the official site.
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