reqex

reqex is a terminal HTTP client for .http and .rest files. Open a folder of requests, edit them in place, send them, and read the response — all in one screen. Think Postman, but in your terminal.

It uses httpyac under the hood, so your existing REST Client / httpyac files work as-is. The UI is built with Rezi.

Install

You need Node.js 20 or later.

npm install -g @churivibhav/reqex

Quick start

1. Put your HTTP files in a folder (.http, .rest, or environment files like .env / .env.json).
2. Open that folder with reqex:

reqex                 # open the current directory
reqex ./api           # open a specific folder

3. Select a file in the Files pane on the left.
4. Place your cursor on a request block and press F5 to send it.
5. Read the response in the Response pane on the right.

That’s the core loop: browse → edit → send → inspect.

The interface

reqex opens a three-pane layout:

| Pane | What it does | |------|----------------| | Files | Browse .http, .rest, and environment files in your workspace | | Editor | Edit the selected file with HTTP syntax highlighting | | Response | Status, headers, body, variables, and test results for the last request |

Use Tab / Shift+Tab to move between panes, or Ctrl+1, Ctrl+2, Ctrl+3 to jump directly. Press F11 or z to zoom the focused pane.

Press F1 anytime for in-app quick help. Press Ctrl+/ for the full keybinding list.

HTTP files

reqex understands the standard .http / .rest format. A minimal example:

@baseUrl = https://api.example.com

### List items
GET {{baseUrl}}/items
Accept: application/json

### Create item
POST {{baseUrl}}/items
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "name": "example"
}

Each request is separated by a line starting with ###. Variables like {{baseUrl}} are resolved when you send.

Because reqex uses httpyac, you also get:

• Variables — file-level @name = value and environment files
• Environments — switch between dev/staging/prod with Ctrl+E
• Chained requests — reference a previous response with @name and # @ref name
• Tests — assertions with ?? lines after a request

For the full file format, see the httpyac documentation.

Sending requests

• Put the cursor anywhere inside a request block and press F5 (or Ctrl+Enter / Alt+Enter on terminals that support it).
• To stop a slow request, press Ctrl+X.
• Unsaved edits are marked in the file tree — press Ctrl+S to save before sending if you want the file on disk updated.

Response pane

After a request completes, the response pane shows several tabs:

| Tab | Shows | |-----|--------| | Pretty | Formatted JSON when applicable | | Raw | Response body as received | | Headers | Response headers | | Variables | Variables set by the request | | Tests | Test assertion results |

Use Ctrl+Tab / Ctrl+Shift+Tab to cycle tabs, or click a tab header. Copy the visible tab with Ctrl+Shift+C. In the Pretty tab, use Ctrl+[ to fold or unfold the JSON node under the cursor and Ctrl+] to unfold everything.

Environments

If your project defines httpyac environments (for example in .env or .env.json files), switch between them with Ctrl+E. Use the arrow keys to highlight an environment and Enter to apply it. Choose (none) to clear the active environment.

Command palette

Press F2 or Ctrl+Shift+P to open the command palette. From there you can send requests, save files, switch environments, toggle the sidebar, and more — without memorizing every shortcut.

Configuration

Keybindings

Default shortcuts follow a VS Code–style preset. Override them in:

• User config: ~/.config/reqex/keybindings.json (Linux), ~/Library/Application Support/reqex/keybindings.json (macOS), or %APPDATA%\reqex\keybindings.json (Windows)
• Project config: .reqex/keybindings.json in your workspace (overrides user settings)

Set REQEX_CONFIG_DIR to use a different config directory.

Example — remap send to Ctrl+Return only and use the vim pane preset:

{
  "preset": "vim",
  "bindings": {
    "ctrl+return": "request.send"
  }
}

Changes are picked up automatically while reqex is running.

Theme

reqex supports light and dark themes. By default it auto-detects your terminal background (via OSC 11) and picks a matching theme.

Configure in:

• User config: ~/.config/reqex/config.json (Linux), ~/Library/Application Support/reqex/config.json (macOS), or %APPDATA%\reqex\config.json (Windows)
• Project config: .reqex/config.json in your workspace (overrides user settings)

Set REQEX_THEME to override both files (auto, light, or dark).

Example — force light theme:

{
  "theme": "light"
}

Changes are picked up automatically while reqex is running.

Common shortcuts

| Key | Action | |-----|--------| | F5 | Send request under cursor | | Ctrl+Enter / Alt+Enter | Send request | | Ctrl+X | Cancel in-flight request | | Ctrl+S | Save file | | Ctrl+E | Environment switcher | | Ctrl+B | Toggle file sidebar | | Ctrl+P | Quick open files | | Ctrl+Shift+P / F2 | Command palette | | Ctrl+Shift+C | Copy response tab | | Ctrl+F | Search in response | | Ctrl+[ | Fold/unfold JSON node in Pretty response | | Ctrl+] | Unfold all Pretty response JSON | | Tab / Shift+Tab | Cycle panes | | Ctrl+1/2/3 | Jump to Files / Editor / Response | | F1 | Quick help | | Ctrl+/ | Full keybindings list | | F11 / z | Zoom pane | | Ctrl+Q | Quit |

Requirements

• Node.js >= 20
• A modern terminal. Kitty is recommended on Linux for the best keyboard support.
• glibc Linux (x64 or arm64), macOS, or Windows.

Alpine Linux and other musl-based systems are not supported (Rezi ships native binaries built for glibc).

Contributing

See develop.md for local setup, tests, and publishing.

License

GPL-3.0-or-later — see LICENSE.