Plain text API tests.
No magic.
hitspec is a file-based HTTP API testing tool. Write tests in plain-text
.http files that look like actual HTTP requests. Run them
with 26 assertion operators, capture values, chain
requests, stress-test, and mock APIs — all from one binary. No SDK. No
GUI. No JavaScript.
brew install —cask abdul-hamid-achik/tap/hitspecEverything Postman does. In a text file.
Tests are readable .http files — no binary collections, no JSON
blobs, no GUI-only workflows. Diffs are meaningful, code review works
naturally, and your whole API test suite lives next to your code in git.
A Postman-class client, in your terminal
hitspec studio opens a keyboard-first workspace: a file tree,
a syntax-highlighted source editor you can save inline, a tabbed response
viewer (Body / Headers / Assertions / Timing / Captures), a command palette,
an environment switcher, and dedicated screens for stress, mock, contract,
record, and history. Everything the REST —api-only server does,
driven by one in-process manager.
Running in under a minute
One binary, no runtime dependencies. Pick whichever install path you prefer.
- Homebrew (macOS / Linux)
- Go
- Binary download
Then write a test and run it:
hitspec vs. the usual suspects
A full test framework on top of plain HTTP requests — without a GUI, collections export, or JavaScript.
| Capability | hitspec | Postman / newman | REST Client | Hurl | k6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain-text, git-friendly files | |||||
| Assertions + captures + dependencies | |||||
| Built-in stress / load testing | |||||
| Mock server from test files | |||||
| Database assertions | |||||
| Interactive terminal client (TUI) | |||||
| No JavaScript / SDK required | |||||
| Single binary, zero runtime deps |
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to decide whether hitspec is the right API testing tool for your team.
What is hitspec?
What is hitspec?
.http files that look like real HTTP
requests, and hitspec executes them, evaluates assertions, captures values
for chaining, and produces CI-friendly output. There is no SDK, no GUI, and
no JavaScript — just text files you can read, diff, and check into git.Is hitspec a good Postman alternative?
Is hitspec a good Postman alternative?
hitspec studio) — but
stores everything in version-controllable plain text. There are no binary
collections to export, no GUI-only workflows, and tests live next to your
code so code review works naturally. See the
migrating from Postman guide.What file format does hitspec use?
What file format does hitspec use?
.http (or .hitspec) files. The
.http format is compatible with the REST Client VS Code
extension and other HTTP file tools, so you get syntax highlighting for
free. hitspec adds assertion blocks (>>> /
<<<), captures (>>>capture),
request dependencies (@depends), and metadata directives on
top. See the file format reference.Can hitspec do load and stress testing?
Can hitspec do load and stress testing?
—stress
flag and inside the studio stress screen. You can configure request rate,
virtual users, ramp-up, and pass/fail thresholds, and export metrics to
Prometheus or Datadog. No separate load-testing tool is required. See the
stress testing guide.How does hitspec compare to Hurl and k6?
How does hitspec compare to Hurl and k6?
Is hitspec free and open source?
Is hitspec free and open source?
go install, or a pre-built binary from the
releases page.Does hitspec work in CI/CD pipelines?
Does hitspec work in CI/CD pipelines?
Can I verify database state after an API request?
Can I verify database state after an API request?
>>>db block to run SQL against PostgreSQL,
MySQL, or SQLite and assert on the results after an HTTP request. This is
ideal for verifying side effects. See
database assertions.Write your first API test in under a minute
No SDK. No GUI. No JavaScript. Just plain-text .http files you
can read, diff, and check into git.