Norn - REST Client

A powerful REST client extension for VS Code with sequences, variables, script execution, and CLI support for CI/CD pipelines.

Features

• HTTP Requests: Send GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, PATCH, HEAD, OPTIONS requests from .norn files
• Variables: Define and reference variables with var name = value and {{name}}
• Sequences: Chain multiple requests with response capture using $N.path
• Script Execution: Run bash, PowerShell, or JavaScript scripts within sequences
• Print Statements: Debug and log messages during sequence execution
• Cookie Support: Automatic cookie jar with persistence across requests
• Syntax Highlighting: Full syntax highlighting for requests, headers, JSON bodies
• IntelliSense: Autocomplete for HTTP methods, headers, variables, and keywords
• Diagnostics: Error highlighting for undefined variables
• CLI: Run requests from terminal for CI/CD automation

Quick Start

1. Create a file with .norn extension
2. Write your HTTP request
3. Click "Send Request" above the request line

Usage

Basic Request

GET https://api.example.com/users
Authorization: Bearer my-token

Variables

var baseUrl = https://api.example.com
var token = my-secret-token

GET {{baseUrl}}/users
Authorization: Bearer {{token}}

Request with Body

POST https://api.example.com/users
Content-Type: application/json
{
    "name": "John Doe",
    "email": "john@example.com"
}

Sequences (Chained Requests)

Chain multiple requests and capture response data:

sequence AuthFlow
    POST https://api.example.com/login
    Content-Type: application/json

    {"username": "admin", "password": "secret"}

    var token = $1.accessToken

    GET https://api.example.com/profile
    Authorization: Bearer {{token}}
end sequence

Click "▶ Run Sequence" above the sequence line to execute all requests in order.

Script Execution

Run scripts within sequences for setup, data generation, or validation:

sequence TestWithScripts
    # Run a setup script
    run bash ./scripts/seed-db.sh

    # Generate a signature and capture output
    var signature = run js ./scripts/sign.js {{payload}}

    # Use the signature in a request
    POST https://api.example.com/verify
    X-Signature: {{signature}}
end sequence

Scripts receive variables as environment variables with NORN_ prefix (e.g., NORN_TOKEN).

Print Statements

Add debug output to your sequences:

sequence DebugFlow
    print Starting authentication...
    
    POST https://api.example.com/login
    Content-Type: application/json
    {"user": "admin"}
    
    var token = $1.token
    print Token received | Value: {{token}}
end sequence

Use print Title | Body content for expandable messages in the result view.

CLI Usage

Run requests from the command line for CI/CD pipelines:

# Run a specific sequence
npx norn api-tests.norn --sequence AuthFlow

# JSON output for CI/CD
npx norn api-tests.norn --sequence AuthFlow --json

# Verbose output
npx norn api-tests.norn -v

# Show help
npx norn --help

CLI Options

CI/CD Example (GitHub Actions)

jobs:
  api-tests:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      
      - name: Setup Node.js
        uses: actions/setup-node@v4
        with:
          node-version: '20'
      
      - name: Run API Tests
        run: npx norn ./tests/api.norn --sequence SmokeTest --json

Syntax Reference

Keyboard Shortcuts

Extension Commands

• Norn: Send Request - Send the HTTP request at cursor
• Norn: Run Sequence - Run the sequence at cursor
• Norn: Clear Cookies - Clear all stored cookies
• Norn: Show Stored Cookies - Display cookies in output

Requirements

• VS Code 1.108.1 or higher
• Node.js 22+ (for CLI and script execution)

Release Notes

1.0.0

• HTTP request support (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, PATCH, HEAD, OPTIONS)
• Variables with var and {{}}
• Sequences with response capture ($N.path)
• Script execution (run bash/powershell/js)
• Print statements with title and body
• Cookie jar with automatic persistence
• Full syntax highlighting
• IntelliSense for methods, headers, variables, keywords
• Diagnostic errors for undefined variables
• CLI for CI/CD pipelines
• JSON output mode for automation

License

Free for Personal Use - You may use Norn for personal projects, learning, education, and non-commercial open-source projects at no cost.

30-Day Commercial Evaluation - Businesses may evaluate Norn free for 30 days before purchasing a license.

Commercial Use Requires a License - After the evaluation period, use within a business, by employees during work, or in CI/CD pipelines for commercial projects requires a license. Contact us for commercial licensing options.

See the LICENSE file for full terms.

Enjoy using Norn!