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Recommended GraphQL Tooling ​

GraphQL's ecosystem includes powerful tools that make development more efficient and enjoyable. This guide covers the essential tools you'll need when working with CoCore's GraphQL API, from exploration to production deployment.

API Exploration Tools ​

GraphiQL ​

The original GraphQL IDE, built into many GraphQL servers including CoCore.

Features:

  • Query editor with syntax highlighting
  • Auto-completion based on schema
  • Real-time query validation
  • Documentation explorer
  • Query history

Access in CoCore:

http://localhost:4000/graphiql

Basic Usage:

graphql
# Try this query in GraphiQL
{
  me {
    id
    name
    email
  }

  printJobs(first: 5) {
    edges {
      node {
        id
        title
        status
      }
    }
  }
}

GraphQL Playground ​

A more advanced IDE with additional features.

Installation:

bash
npm install -g graphql-playground-electron

Key Features:

  • Multiple tabs for different queries
  • Variable editor
  • HTTP headers configuration
  • Subscription support
  • Schema documentation sidebar
  • Query sharing

Configuration for CoCore:

json
{
  "endpoint": "http://localhost:4000/graphql",
  "headers": {
    "Authorization": "Bearer your-jwt-token"
  }
}

Insomnia ​

Modern REST/GraphQL client with excellent GraphQL support.

GraphQL Features:

  • Schema introspection
  • Query auto-completion
  • Variable management
  • Environment support
  • Team collaboration

Setting up CoCore:

  1. Create new GraphQL request
  2. Set endpoint: http://localhost:4000/graphql
  3. Add authentication header
  4. Import schema via introspection

Postman ​

Popular API client with GraphQL support.

GraphQL Setup:

javascript
// Pre-request script for authentication
pm.sendRequest({
    url: 'http://localhost:4000/auth/login',
    method: 'POST',
    body: {
        mode: 'json',
        raw: JSON.stringify({
            email: 'user@example.com',
            password: 'password'
        })
    }
}, function (err, response) {
    const token = response.json().token;
    pm.environment.set('auth_token', token);
});

// Use in GraphQL request headers
Authorization: Bearer {{auth_token}}

Client Libraries ​

Apollo Client (React/Vue/Angular) ​

The most popular GraphQL client with extensive features.

Installation:

bash
npm install @apollo/client graphql

Basic Setup:

javascript
import { ApolloClient, InMemoryCache, createHttpLink } from '@apollo/client';
import { setContext } from '@apollo/client/link/context';

const httpLink = createHttpLink({
  uri: 'http://localhost:4000/graphql',
});

const authLink = setContext((_, { headers }) => {
  const token = localStorage.getItem('auth_token');
  return {
    headers: {
      ...headers,
      authorization: token ? `Bearer ${token}` : "",
    }
  }
});

const client = new ApolloClient({
  link: authLink.concat(httpLink),
  cache: new InMemoryCache({
    typePolicies: {
      PrintJob: {
        fields: {
          files: {
            merge: false, // Replace array instead of merging
          }
        }
      }
    }
  })
});

React Component Example:

javascript
import { useQuery, gql } from '@apollo/client';

const GET_PRINT_JOBS = gql`
  query GetPrintJobs($filter: PrintJobFilter) {
    printJobs(filter: $filter) {
      edges {
        node {
          id
          title
          status
          customer {
            name
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
`;

function PrintJobsList() {
  const { loading, error, data } = useQuery(GET_PRINT_JOBS, {
    variables: {
      filter: { status: ["PENDING", "PRINTING"] }
    }
  });

  if (loading) return <p>Loading...</p>;
  if (error) return <p>Error: {error.message}</p>;

  return (
    <div>
      {data.printJobs.edges.map(({ node }) => (
        <div key={node.id}>
          <h3>{node.title}</h3>
          <p>Status: {node.status}</p>
          <p>Customer: {node.customer.name}</p>
        </div>
      ))}
    </div>
  );
}

Subscription Example:

javascript
import { useSubscription, gql } from '@apollo/client';

const PRINT_JOB_UPDATES = gql`
  subscription PrintJobUpdates {
    printJobUpdated {
      id
      status
      progress
    }
  }
`;

function JobStatusMonitor() {
  const { data } = useSubscription(PRINT_JOB_UPDATES);

  useEffect(() => {
    if (data?.printJobUpdated) {
      // Update UI based on job status change
      console.log('Job updated:', data.printJobUpdated);
    }
  }, [data]);

  return <div>Monitoring job status...</div>;
}

Relay ​

Facebook's GraphQL client with opinionated conventions.

When to Use Relay:

  • Large-scale applications
  • Need advanced caching strategies
  • Following Relay specification patterns

Basic Setup:

bash
npm install relay-runtime react-relay
npm install --save-dev relay-compiler

urql ​

Lightweight alternative to Apollo Client.

Installation:

bash
npm install urql graphql

Basic Usage:

javascript
import { createClient, Provider, useQuery } from 'urql';

const client = createClient({
  url: 'http://localhost:4000/graphql',
  fetchOptions: () => ({
    headers: {
      authorization: `Bearer ${getToken()}`,
    },
  }),
});

function App() {
  return (
    <Provider value={client}>
      <PrintJobsList />
    </Provider>
  );
}

function PrintJobsList() {
  const [result] = useQuery({
    query: `
      query {
        printJobs {
          edges {
            node {
              id
              title
              status
            }
          }
        }
      }
    `
  });

  if (result.fetching) return <p>Loading...</p>;
  if (result.error) return <p>Error: {result.error.message}</p>;

  return (
    <div>
      {result.data.printJobs.edges.map(({ node }) => (
        <div key={node.id}>{node.title}</div>
      ))}
    </div>
  );
}

GraphQL Request ​

Simple, lightweight GraphQL client for Node.js and browsers.

Installation:

bash
npm install graphql-request graphql

Usage:

javascript
import { GraphQLClient, gql } from 'graphql-request';

const client = new GraphQLClient('http://localhost:4000/graphql', {
  headers: {
    authorization: `Bearer ${token}`,
  },
});

const query = gql`
  query GetPrintJob($id: ID!) {
    getPrintJob(id: $id) {
      id
      title
      status
      customer {
        name
      }
    }
  }
`;

// Using async/await
async function fetchPrintJob(id) {
  try {
    const data = await client.request(query, { id });
    return data.getPrintJob;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('GraphQL Error:', error);
  }
}

// Using promises
client.request(query, { id: '123' })
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(error => console.error(error));

Code Generation Tools ​

GraphQL Code Generator ​

Generates TypeScript types, React hooks, and more from your GraphQL schema.

Installation:

bash
npm install -D @graphql-codegen/cli @graphql-codegen/typescript @graphql-codegen/typescript-operations @graphql-codegen/typescript-react-apollo

Configuration (codegen.yml):

yaml
schema: http://localhost:4000/graphql
documents: 'src/**/*.graphql'
generates:
  src/generated/graphql.ts:
    plugins:
      - typescript
      - typescript-operations
      - typescript-react-apollo
    config:
      withHooks: true
      withComponent: false

Generated Types Example:

typescript
// Generated types
export type PrintJob = {
  __typename?: 'PrintJob';
  id: Scalars['ID'];
  title: Scalars['String'];
  status: JobStatus;
  customer: Customer;
};

export type GetPrintJobQueryVariables = Exact<{
  id: Scalars['ID'];
}>;

export type GetPrintJobQuery = {
  __typename?: 'Query';
  getPrintJob?: {
    __typename?: 'PrintJob';
    id: string;
    title: string;
    status: JobStatus;
    customer: {
      __typename?: 'Customer';
      name: string;
    };
  } | null;
};

// Generated hooks
export function useGetPrintJobQuery(
  baseOptions: Apollo.QueryHookOptions<GetPrintJobQuery, GetPrintJobQueryVariables>
) {
  return Apollo.useQuery<GetPrintJobQuery, GetPrintJobQueryVariables>(
    GetPrintJobDocument,
    baseOptions
  );
}

Apollo CLI ​

Command-line interface for Apollo projects.

Installation:

bash
npm install -g apollo

Schema Download:

bash
apollo service:download --endpoint=http://localhost:4000/graphql schema.json

Client Code Generation:

bash
apollo codegen:generate --target=typescript --outputFlat src/generated/

Development Tools ​

ESLint Plugin ​

Linting rules for GraphQL queries.

Installation:

bash
npm install -D @graphql-eslint/eslint-plugin

Configuration (.eslintrc.js):

javascript
module.exports = {
  overrides: [
    {
      files: ['*.graphql'],
      parser: '@graphql-eslint/eslint-plugin',
      plugins: ['@graphql-eslint'],
      rules: {
        '@graphql-eslint/no-anonymous-operations': 'error',
        '@graphql-eslint/naming-convention': [
          'error',
          {
            OperationDefinition: {
              style: 'PascalCase',
              forbiddenPrefixes: ['Query', 'Mutation', 'Subscription'],
              forbiddenSuffixes: ['Query', 'Mutation', 'Subscription'],
            },
          },
        ],
      },
    },
  ],
};

Prettier Plugin ​

Code formatting for GraphQL queries.

Installation:

bash
npm install -D prettier @prettier/plugin-graphql

Configuration (.prettierrc):

json
{
  "plugins": ["@prettier/plugin-graphql"],
  "graphqlConfigFile": "graphql.config.js"
}

VS Code Extensions ​

GraphQL Extension Pack:

  • GraphQL: Language support and syntax highlighting
  • GraphQL: Inline Operation Execution
  • Apollo GraphQL: Schema validation and autocomplete

Key Features:

  • Syntax highlighting for .graphql files
  • IntelliSense and autocomplete
  • Schema validation
  • Query execution from editor
  • Fragment definition jumping

Configuration (settings.json):

json
{
  "graphql-config.load.configName": "graphql",
  "graphql.validate": true,
  "graphql.format": true
}

Testing Tools ​

GraphQL Testing Library ​

Utilities for testing GraphQL operations.

Installation:

bash
npm install -D @apollo/client/testing

Mock Testing:

javascript
import { MockedProvider } from '@apollo/client/testing';
import { render, screen } from '@testing-library/react';
import { GET_PRINT_JOBS } from './queries';
import PrintJobsList from './PrintJobsList';

const mocks = [
  {
    request: {
      query: GET_PRINT_JOBS,
      variables: {
        filter: { status: ["PENDING"] }
      },
    },
    result: {
      data: {
        printJobs: {
          edges: [
            {
              node: {
                id: '1',
                title: 'Business Cards',
                status: 'PENDING',
                customer: { name: 'John Doe' }
              }
            }
          ]
        }
      },
    },
  },
];

test('renders print jobs', async () => {
  render(
    <MockedProvider mocks={mocks} addTypename={false}>
      <PrintJobsList />
    </MockedProvider>
  );

  expect(screen.getByText('Loading...')).toBeInTheDocument();

  await waitFor(() => {
    expect(screen.getByText('Business Cards')).toBeInTheDocument();
  });
});

GraphQL Inspector ​

Schema comparison and validation tool.

Installation:

bash
npm install -g @graphql-inspector/cli

Schema Validation:

bash
# Compare schemas for breaking changes
graphql-inspector diff old-schema.graphql new-schema.graphql

# Validate queries against schema
graphql-inspector validate "./src/**/*.graphql" schema.graphql

Performance Tools ​

Apollo Studio ​

Production monitoring and analytics.

Features:

  • Query performance monitoring
  • Error tracking
  • Schema usage analytics
  • Security scanning

Setup:

javascript
import { ApolloServer } from 'apollo-server-express';
import { ApolloServerPluginUsageReporting } from 'apollo-server-core';

const server = new ApolloServer({
  typeDefs,
  resolvers,
  plugins: [
    ApolloServerPluginUsageReporting({
      apiKey: process.env.APOLLO_KEY,
    }),
  ],
});

GraphQL Query Analyzer ​

Analyze query complexity and performance.

javascript
import { costAnalysisRule } from 'graphql-cost-analysis';

const server = new ApolloServer({
  typeDefs,
  resolvers,
  validationRules: [
    costAnalysisRule({
      maximumCost: 1000,
      onComplete: (cost) => {
        console.log(`Query cost: ${cost}`);
      },
    }),
  ],
});

Browser DevTools ​

Apollo Client DevTools ​

Browser extension for debugging Apollo Client applications.

Features:

  • Query and mutation inspection
  • Cache inspection and manipulation
  • Performance metrics
  • Network activity monitoring

Installation:

  • Chrome: Install from Chrome Web Store
  • Firefox: Install from Firefox Add-ons

Usage:

  1. Open browser DevTools
  2. Navigate to Apollo tab
  3. Inspect queries, mutations, and cache state
  4. Monitor real-time subscriptions

Relay DevTools ​

Browser extension for Relay applications.

Features:

  • Store inspector
  • Query tracking
  • Network layer inspection
  • Performance profiling

Production Tools ​

GraphQL Rate Limiting ​

Protect your API from abuse.

javascript
import { shield, rule, and, or } from 'graphql-shield';
import { RateLimiterMemory } from 'rate-limiter-flexible';

const rateLimiter = new RateLimiterMemory({
  keyGetter: (root, args, context) => context.user.id,
  points: 100, // Limit each user to 100 requests
  duration: 60, // Per 60 seconds
});

const rateLimit = rule()(async (parent, args, context) => {
  await rateLimiter.consume(context.user.id);
  return true;
});

const permissions = shield({
  Query: {
    printJobs: rateLimit,
  },
  Mutation: {
    createPrintJob: and(isAuthenticated, rateLimit),
  },
});

Query Complexity Analysis ​

Prevent expensive queries.

javascript
import { createComplexityLimitRule } from 'graphql-validation-complexity';

const server = new ApolloServer({
  typeDefs,
  resolvers,
  validationRules: [
    createComplexityLimitRule(1000, {
      scalarCost: 1,
      objectCost: 2,
      listFactor: 10,
    }),
  ],
});

1. Schema-First Development ​

bash
# 1. Design your schema
# 2. Generate types
npm run codegen

# 3. Write resolvers
# 4. Test with GraphiQL/Playground
# 5. Write client queries
# 6. Generate client code
npm run codegen:client

2. Client-First Development ​

bash
# 1. Write GraphQL queries in your components
# 2. Mock the data for development
# 3. Generate types from queries
npm run codegen

# 4. Implement server resolvers to match client needs

CoCore-Specific Configuration ​

Environment Setup ​

bash
# Development environment
GRAPHQL_ENDPOINT=http://localhost:4000/graphql
GRAPHQL_WS_ENDPOINT=ws://localhost:4000/graphql

# Production environment
GRAPHQL_ENDPOINT=https://api.CoCore.com/graphql
GRAPHQL_WS_ENDPOINT=wss://api.CoCore.com/graphql

Authentication Setup ​

javascript
// Apollo Client with CoCore authentication
import { setContext } from '@apollo/client/link/context';

const authLink = setContext((_, { headers }) => {
  const token = localStorage.getItem('CoCore_token');
  return {
    headers: {
      ...headers,
      authorization: token ? `Bearer ${token}` : '',
    },
  };
});

Subscription Configuration ​

javascript
import { GraphQLWsLink } from '@apollo/client/link/subscriptions';
import { createClient } from 'graphql-ws';

const wsLink = new GraphQLWsLink(
  createClient({
    url: 'ws://localhost:4000/graphql',
    connectionParams: () => ({
      authorization: `Bearer ${localStorage.getItem('CoCore_token')}`,
    }),
  })
);

Best Practices ​

1. Query Organization ​

src/
  graphql/
    queries/
      printJobs.graphql
      customers.graphql
    mutations/
      createPrintJob.graphql
      updatePrintJob.graphql
    subscriptions/
      jobUpdates.graphql
    fragments/
      jobSummary.graphql
      customerInfo.graphql

2. Error Handling ​

javascript
// Centralized error handling
import { onError } from '@apollo/client/link/error';

const errorLink = onError(({ graphQLErrors, networkError }) => {
  if (graphQLErrors) {
    graphQLErrors.forEach(({ message, locations, path }) =>
      console.error(
        `[GraphQL error]: Message: ${message}, Location: ${locations}, Path: ${path}`
      )
    );
  }

  if (networkError) {
    console.error(`[Network error]: ${networkError}`);
    if (networkError.statusCode === 401) {
      // Redirect to login
      window.location.href = '/login';
    }
  }
});

3. Caching Strategy ​

javascript
const client = new ApolloClient({
  cache: new InMemoryCache({
    typePolicies: {
      PrintJob: {
        fields: {
          status: {
            merge: false, // Replace status field completely
          },
        },
      },
      Query: {
        fields: {
          printJobs: {
            keyArgs: ['filter'], // Cache separately by filter
          },
        },
      },
    },
  }),
});

Conclusion ​

The GraphQL ecosystem provides excellent tooling for every stage of development, from initial exploration to production monitoring. Start with GraphiQL or Playground for API exploration, choose a client library that fits your framework, and gradually adopt more advanced tools as your application grows.

For CoCore development, we recommend:

  • Exploration: GraphiQL (built-in) or GraphQL Playground
  • Client: Apollo Client for React/Vue, GraphQL Request for simple usage
  • Development: GraphQL Code Generator for types, VS Code extensions
  • Testing: Apollo MockedProvider or similar testing utilities
  • Production: Apollo Studio for monitoring and analytics

These tools will help you build efficient, maintainable applications that take full advantage of CoCore's GraphQL API capabilities.

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