IDE Extensions

VS Code REST Client

IDE Extension

The originator of the .http file format (circa 2017). VS Code extension with ~6K GitHub stars. Supports HTTP requests, variables, environments, and response viewing with rich editor integration.

VS Code TypeScript

Docs Source

The originator of the .http file format (circa 2017). Install from the VS Code marketplace by searching for "REST Client" by Huachao Mao.

Key strengths: Code generation to 30+ languages, Azure AD token support, percent-encoding variables, cURL import/export.

Limitations: No scripting, no response handler scripts, no cross-file imports. Environments are configured in VS Code settings.json rather than standalone files.

JetBrains HTTP Client

IDE Extension

Built into all JetBrains IDEs. The most feature-rich IDE implementation, with the only semi-formal spec attempt. Also available as a standalone CLI (ijhttp).

IntelliJ IDEA, WebStorm, GoLand, PyCharm, Rider Kotlin/Java

Docs Source CLI

Built into all JetBrains IDEs — no extension to install. Available in IntelliJ IDEA, WebStorm, GoLand, PyCharm, Rider, PhpStorm, CLion, and others.

Key strengths: Most feature-rich IDE implementation. Pre-request scripts, response handlers, Crypto API, Faker-based random data, WebSocket, gRPC, GraphQL keyword, Postman import, response comparison (<>).

Also available as a standalone CLI (ijhttp) for CI/CD use.

httpyac

IDE Extension

The most interoperable implementation. CLI tool and VS Code extension that supports both JetBrains and REST Client syntax while adding its own extensions. Bridges the gap between ecosystems.

VS Code, CLI TypeScript/Node.js

Docs Source

Both a VS Code extension and a CLI tool. The most interoperable implementation — supports both JetBrains and REST Client syntax while adding its own extensions.

Key strengths: Broadest compatibility bridge, full Node.js scripting, ?? assertion syntax, OAuth2 with all grant types, protocol extensions (WebSocket, gRPC, SSE, MQTT, AMQP), cross-file imports, loop/sleep/ratelimit.

Visual Studio 2022

IDE Extension

Built-in since v17.6, significantly enhanced in v17.8+. Adopted JetBrains env format with Microsoft extensions including Azure Key Vault secrets providers.

Visual Studio 2022 C#

Docs

Built-in since v17.6, significantly enhanced in v17.8+. Uses the JetBrains http-client.env.json format with Microsoft extensions.

Key strengths: Azure Key Vault and ASP.NET User Secrets integration, Endpoints Explorer auto-generation, HTTP/3 support, debug link integration.

Limitations: No multi-line URLs, no file includes, no multipart form data, no scripting, no GraphQL, no WebSocket/gRPC.