HttpTracer includes a powerful RESTful API Composer that lets you craft and send custom HTTP requests directly from the app. Whether you're testing an API, replaying a captured request, or debugging a specific endpoint, the RESTful features give you full control over your HTTP traffic.
In this post, we'll explore two key ways to use this feature:
- The RESTful Page – For building requests from scratch
- The RESTful API Tab in the Inspector Panel – For replaying and modifying captured requests
1. The RESTful Page: Craft Requests From Scratch
Navigate to the RESTful page from the left sidebar. This is your workspace for building custom HTTP requests.
Setting Up Your Request
URL and Method
At the top, you'll find the URL input field and a dropdown to select the HTTP method (GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, etc.). Simply enter the endpoint you want to call.
Request Headers
Switch to the Headers tab to add custom headers. Each header has:
- A checkbox to enable/disable it
- Key and Value fields
This is useful for adding authentication tokens, content types, or any custom headers your API requires.
Query Parameters
The Params tab lets you add query string parameters. HttpTracer automatically appends these to your URL, so you don't need to manually construct query strings.
Cookies
Need to send cookies? The Cookies tab provides a simple interface to add cookie key-value pairs.
Request Body Options
For POST, PUT, and PATCH requests, you can add a request body. HttpTracer supports multiple body types:
| Body Type | Use Case |
|---|---|
| None | No body (typical for GET requests) |
| Form Data | Multipart form data with file upload support |
| URL Encoded | Standard form encoding (application/x-www-form-urlencoded) |
| Raw | JSON, XML, HTML, JavaScript, or plain text |
| Binary | Upload binary files |
Raw Body Editor
When using the Raw body type, you get a full-featured code editor with syntax highlighting. Select the content type (JSON, XML, HTML, etc.) and HttpTracer will set the appropriate Content-Type header.
Form Data with File Uploads
The Form Data option lets you add text fields or file uploads. This is perfect for testing file upload endpoints.
Sending the Request
Click the Send button to execute your request. The response appears in the right panel, showing:
- Status Code and status message
- Response Headers
- Response Body (formatted based on content type)
2. The RESTful API Tab in the Inspector Panel
One of the most useful features is the ability to replay captured requests directly. When you're inspecting network traffic, you can open any captured request in the RESTful composer.
How to Access It
- Capture traffic as usual (enable the proxy and make requests)
- Select a request from the traffic list
- In the right panel, click the RESTful API tab
What Gets Loaded
When you open a captured request in the RESTful tab, HttpTracer automatically populates:
- The original URL and HTTP method
- All headers from the captured request
- Query parameters (parsed from the URL)
- The request body (if present)
[!TIP]
You can modify any of these values before resending. This is great for testing variations of an API call without manually reconstructing the entire request.
Opening in Full Composer
If you need more space to work, click the expand icon next to the "RESTful API" tab label. This opens the request in the full RESTful page with all its features.
Practical Use Cases
1. Testing API Changes
Made a change to your backend? Replay a captured request to verify the change works as expected.
2. Debugging Authentication Issues
Captured a failing request? Modify the auth headers and resend to pinpoint the issue.
3. Exploring Third-Party APIs
Capture a request from your app to a third-party API, then modify it to explore different parameters or endpoints.
4. Reproducing Bugs
Found a bug? Capture the problematic request and replay it with variations to understand the exact conditions that trigger the issue.
Tips for Power Users
- Disable headers temporarily – Use the checkboxes to toggle headers on/off without deleting them
- Check the response timing – The Overview tab shows detailed timing information
-
Look out for pseudo-headers – HTTP/2 pseudo-headers (like
:method,:path) are automatically disabled when replaying, as they're protocol-specific
Summary
The RESTful features in HttpTracer give you powerful tools for API development and debugging:
| Feature | Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| RESTful Page | Left sidebar | Building new requests from scratch |
| RESTful API Tab | Inspector panel | Replaying and modifying captured requests |
Combined with HttpTracer's traffic inspection capabilities, you have a complete toolkit for understanding and testing HTTP traffic.
Download HttpTracer now!
Have questions or feedback? Let us know!
Top comments (0)