ApiTab

Local-First API Testing Tool — Browser Extension & Desktop App

Ongoing solo project | Chrome & Firefox extension + Windows/Mac/Linux desktop app

Overview

ApiTab is a fast, minimal alternative to Postman for testing and organizing HTTP APIs. It's local-first by design: collections, environments, and history live entirely on your device, with no account required to use it. Everything runs as a browser extension (Chrome, Edge, Brave, Firefox) and as a native Electron desktop app, sharing the same React/TypeScript codebase and Zustand-backed storage layer.

For teams, an optional Laravel + Sanctum backend adds account login and team workspaces — collections are shared per person: an owner/admin assigns a collection to specific teammates, who get a live preview (item count, request list, who shared it) and can Accept or Decline before it lands in their workspace. Sync runs on a fast near-real-time poll while the app is focused, so a freshly-shared collection shows up without a re-login. Owners/admins can also remove a member, which immediately revokes their access to that team's collections. Individual environment variables can additionally be flagged to sync to a per-team shared pool, all while environments themselves stay device-local by default.

Key Features

  • Full request builder — methods, params, headers, auth (bearer/basic/API key), JSON/form/urlencoded bodies, and response viewer with headers, cURL, and code snippet generation.
  • Environments with {{variable}} interpolation and inline autocomplete — type {{ in any URL, param, or header field to get instant matching suggestions — plus a pre-request/post-response JavaScript sandbox exposing a pm.*-compatible scripting API, so pasted Postman scripts run unmodified.
  • Import Postman Collection (v2/v2.1) and Environment exports directly, alongside ApiTab's own cURL and JSON import/export formats.
  • Team workspaces with per-person collection assignment: owners/admins pick exactly who a shared collection goes to, recipients get an Accept/Decline popover with a live preview, and removing a member automatically revokes their access — synced on a fast near-real-time poll, with a per-team shared-variable pool for opted-in environment variables and a sidebar that visually separates your personal workspace from each team's shared space.
  • Cross-platform desktop installers (Windows, macOS, Linux) built and published automatically via GitHub Actions on every tagged release.

Skills Utilized

TypeScript React WXT (Browser Extensions) Electron Zustand Tailwind CSS PHP Laravel Sanctum SQLite GitHub Actions CI/CD
ApiTab request builder with a live response
ApiTab Postman collection import
ApiTab team workspace sharing

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