Cool Request: A Free Open‑Source IDEA Plugin for Simplifying SpringBoot Backend API Testing
This article introduces Cool Request, a free open‑source IntelliJ IDEA plugin that automatically extracts SpringBoot controllers, simplifies HTTP request debugging, supports multiple request bodies, pre‑ and post‑scripts, reflection calls, cURL import, Apifox export, global API search, and even provides a static resource server.
In SpringBoot backend development, developers often need a convenient tool for testing APIs directly within the IDE; the article recommends Cool Request, a free and open‑source IntelliJ IDEA plugin that can analyze project controllers and send HTTP requests without leaving the IDE.
Plugin name: Cool Request
Purpose: Simplify the SpringBoot backend interface debugging workflow.
Installation: Search for "Cool Request" in the IDEA plugin marketplace and install.
Interface: The main UI collects all project controller information, as shown in the accompanying screenshot.
Basic HTTP request: Double‑click a controller to open the request panel, fill parameters, and benefit from header suggestions not available in other plugins.
Result preview: Cool Request automatically selects one of five preview modes (JSON, text, image, HTML, XML) based on the response Content‑Type.
Manual trigger of SpringBoot schedulers: The plugin can invoke scheduled tasks directly, eliminating the need to create temporary controllers for testing.
Reflection call (reflex): Allows bypassing interceptors to call controllers that normally require authentication, useful for testing global data endpoints.
Powerful pre‑ and post‑scripts: Java‑based scripts (compatible with Java 8) provide syntax assistance, can access project classes and third‑party utilities, and enable dynamic parameter generation such as signatures or timestamps.
Note that scripts run on a Java 8 compiler, so projects using newer Java versions (e.g., SpringBoot 3) may need custom implementations.
Multiple request bodies: Supports six body types and binary file uploads.
cURL import/export: Quickly import a copied cURL command into Cool Request and export requests back to cURL format.
Export to Apifox: Allows exporting API definitions to Apifox after configuring the required token.
Global API search: Find controller locations by entering an API path.
Static resource server: Built‑in server to serve files from a chosen directory on a specified port.
For more details, visit the GitHub repository: https://github.com/houxinlin/cool-request .
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