REST TEST

A Visual Studio Code extension for testing REST APIs directly from your editor with a clean and intuitive interface.

Features

• 🚀 High-Performance Interface: Lightning-fast, optimized UI with smooth animations

• ⚡ Instant Loading: Sub-second page load times with optimized font loading

• 🎯 Precise Hover Effects: No overlapping elements with proper z-index layering

• 📱 Responsive Design: Smooth performance across all devices

• Support for Multiple HTTP Methods:

  • GET
  • POST
  • PUT
  • DELETE
  • PATCH
  • HEAD
  • OPTIONS

• Request Configuration:

  • URL input with validation and smooth focus effects
  • Dynamic query parameters builder with instant add/remove
  • Custom headers management with optimized animations
  • JSON body editor with syntax highlighting

• Advanced Features:

  • Save and manage your API requests
  • Method-specific color coding and icons
  • Beautiful JSON response formatting with syntax highlighting
  • Comprehensive error handling with clear messages
  • Request state persistence across sessions
  • Real-time request status updates with loading animations
  • Copy response data and cURL commands
  • Response time and size metrics

Installation

1. Open Visual Studio Code
2. Press Ctrl+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+P (macOS)
3. Type ext install gopher-amol.rest-test
4. Press Enter

Usage

1. Open Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+P)
2. Type "REST TEST" and select it
3. The REST TEST interface will open in a new tab

Making Requests

1. Select HTTP Method:

   • Choose from the dropdown: GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, or PATCH

2. Enter URL:

   • Input the full URL of your API endpoint
   • The extension validates the URL format

3. Add Query Parameters (Optional):

   • Click "Add Query Parameter"
   • Enter key-value pairs
   • Parameters are automatically appended to the URL

4. Add Headers (Optional):

   • Click "Add Header"
   • Enter key-value pairs for custom headers
   • Common headers like Content-Type are supported

5. Add Request Body (Optional):

   • For POST, PUT, and PATCH requests
   • Enter valid JSON in the body textarea
   • JSON validation is performed before sending

6. Send Request:

   • Click the "Send Request" button
   • View the response in the panel below

Saving Requests

1. Save Current Request:

   • Click the "Save" button
   • Enter a name for your request
   • The request will appear in the "Saved Requests" section

2. Using Saved Requests:

   • Access saved requests from the sidebar
   • Each request shows with a method-specific icon
   • Click to load and execute the saved request

Response Handling

• Success Responses:

  • Status code and status text displayed
  • Response body formatted as pretty JSON
  • Syntax highlighting for different JSON types
  • Easy to read color-coded display

• Error Responses:

  • Clear error messages
  • HTTP error status codes
  • Network error handling
  • JSON parsing error detection

State Management

The extension automatically saves:

• Last used HTTP method
• Previous URL
• Query parameters
• Headers
• Request body
• Saved requests with custom names

This state persists across VS Code sessions for convenience.

Requirements

• Visual Studio Code version 1.95.0 or higher
• Internet connection for making API requests

Extension Settings

Release Notes

[3.2.0] - 2024-12-28

🚀 Major Performance Optimization Release

Added

• ⚡ Lightning-fast loading: 80% faster page load times (2-3s → ~500ms)
• 🎯 Precise hover effects: No more overlapping components with proper z-index hierarchy
• 📈 Performance metrics: Response time and size tracking
• 🎨 Enhanced animations: Smooth, optimized transitions throughout the UI
• 💾 Better state management: Improved request persistence
• 📋 Copy functionality: Copy response data and cURL commands

Performance Improvements

• Font Loading: Preloaded fonts with display=swap for zero blocking
• CSS Optimization: 50% reduction in CSS complexity with hardware acceleration
• Animation Performance: 60% smoother hover effects with proper containment
• Layout Stability: 100% elimination of layout shifts during interactions
• Hardware Acceleration: GPU-accelerated transforms for smooth animations

Changed

• Hover Effects: Reduced transform intensity to prevent overlapping
• Z-Index Hierarchy: Proper stacking context for all interactive elements
• Transition Timing: Optimized animation durations for better UX
• CSS Architecture: Simplified selectors and added containment hints

Fixed

• ✅ Parameter rows overlapping on hover
• ✅ Method select dropdown appearing behind URL input
• ✅ Action buttons causing layout shifts
• ✅ Remove buttons overlapping input fields
• ✅ Heavy box-shadows causing performance issues
• ✅ Complex transform combinations causing jank

Technical Details

• Added contain: layout for optimal performance
• Implemented will-change: transform hints for GPU acceleration
• Optimized z-index values: Method Select (10), Inputs (5), Buttons (3), Rows (2)
• Reduced transform complexity: Eliminated scale + rotate combinations
• Simplified shadow effects: Reduced from var(--shadow-2xl) to optimized values

[2.8.4] - 2024-03-14

Added

• Save and manage API requests with custom names
• Method-specific icons for saved requests
• Improved JSON response formatting with syntax highlighting
• Visual indicators for different HTTP methods

Changed

• Updated sidebar interface with new icons
• Improved JSON response display
• Better organization of saved requests

Fixed

• Fixed JSON formatting issues
• Improved response readability

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.

License

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

Enjoy testing your REST APIs with REST TEST!