Check my first posts about Postbear 👉 I Built the Postman alternative
For years, Postman and Insomnia have been the kings of API testing. They are feature-rich, polished, and powerful. But for many developers, they’ve also become bloated. What was once a simple tool now feels like an entire operating system just to send a GET request.
It’s time to get boring about your API client and in the world of development, "boring" is a compliment. It means a tool that stays out of your way, works where you already live, and doesn't require a login to function.
Here is a solution Postbear: a terminal-native powerhouse that combines the speed of a CLI with the intuitive navigation of a TUI.
The Problem with "The Modern GUI" 🥱
We’ve all been there: you open Postman, it needs an update. Then it asks you to sign in to sync your "Workspaces." By the time you’re ready to test your endpoint, you’ve context-switched away from your code and into a heavy, electron-based window that eats up your RAM.
Postbear: Speed Meets Interface
Postbear is built for the developer who lives in the terminal. It offers a dual-threat approach to API testing:
1. The TUI: Visual Power Without the Bloat
Unlike basic curl commands, Postbear features a robust Terminal User Interface (TUI). This gives you the visual organization of a GUI—sidebars for collections, request/response panes, and easy navigation—but it runs entirely inside your terminal.
- Keyboard-Driven: Navigate your API collections with keyboard speed.
- Low Overhead: No heavy windows; just a fast, responsive interface that feels like part of your editor. Written in Golang one of the fastest programming languages
2. The CLI: Automation at Your Fingertips
Because Postbear is also a CLI (Command Line Interface), you can bypass the interface entirely for quick tasks.
- Scriptability: You can trigger requests directly from scripts or your terminal history.
- CI/CD Friendly: Since it’s terminal-native, it integrates perfectly into automated workflows.
Why "Boring" is Better
Why choose a terminal tool over a shiny app? It comes down to three things:
Zero Context Switching: Your code is in the terminal. Your logs are in the terminal. Your API client should be, too. Moving between your IDE and Postbear feels seamless.
Plain Text Truth: Postbear uses simple configuration files (.http). This means your API requests are version-controlled. You can commit your files directly to Git. No more "exporting collections" or proprietary cloud syncs.
Privacy & Ownership: Postbear is local-first. Your data isn't sitting on someone else's server; it’s in your file system.
Conclusion: Simplify Your Stack
Postman is a Ferrari—it’s impressive, but sometimes you just need a reliable bike to get across the street. By choosing a terminal-native tool like Postbear, you reclaim your screen real estate and your mental focus.
If you’re ready to ditch the loading screens and bloated screens, it’s time to give Postbear a spin.
🌟 I need your help to grow!
Postbear is open-source and just getting started. I have big dreams for this tool, and I’d love for the community to help shape its future. Check it out here: 👉 github.com/carban/postbear
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