What is Golden Retriever?
Golden Retriever lets you test REST and GraphQL APIs right in VS Code, saving everything as JSON files in your Git repo for easy team sharing. It’s built for devs who want a local-first setup without cloud subscriptions or app-switching.
Problem
Developers currently use separate cloud-based tools for API testing, requiring cloud subscriptions and frequent app-switching, leading to workflow fragmentation and collaboration challenges.
Solution
A VS Code extension that lets developers test REST and GraphQL APIs within VS Code, with a local-first setup and Git integration to save JSON files directly in repositories for team sharing.
Customers
Developers, particularly backend engineers and full-stack developers working in teams using VS Code and Git workflows.
Unique Features
Deep IDE integration, Git-synced JSON storage for API tests, offline/local-first operation, and unified workflow without external platforms.
User Comments
Saves time by eliminating app-switching
Git integration simplifies team collaboration
Lightweight alternative to Postman/Insomnia
VS Code native experience feels seamless
Lacks advanced features like automated testing
Traction
Launched on ProductHunt with 480+ upvotes (as of July 2024)
GitHub repository with 1.2k+ stars
Used by 15k+ VS Code developers
Market Size
The global API testing tools market is projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2025 (Statista 2023)
