This guide shows how to send HTTP commands to a REST-API client using the Thunder Client plug-in in Visual Studio Code.

Attention:
In principle, none of the actions can be undone throughout the plug-in.
Changes are only valid after saving (CTRL + S).

Click on the "Extensions" tab on the left-hand side and search for "Thunder Client".
Click on the blue "Install" button to install the extension, which will also appear as a separate tab on the left-hand side.

If the tab for the Thunder Client does not appear, it is due to the restricted mode when restarting:

Click on the Restricted Mode field and then confirm under "Trust"

1. List of recent commands
   
   
2. Library of commands: Collections
   Predefined commands can be imported or exported into packages here.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Please note: The free version can only contain 50 commands per collection.
   

1. Type of command: GET, POST, DELETE, etc.
   
   
   
   
2. Header customization
   Additional header information can be added to the free field:
   
   
   
   
   Example: Send cookie in the header information:
   
   
   
3. Authentication
   Additional information on different authentication methods can be added here
   
   Ex: Bearer Token
   
   
   Ex: Basic Authetification
   Is transmitted in the header in the format usaername:password in Base64 format.
   Attention: cannot be used for user login!
   
   
   
4. Body information with different data formats
   
   
   
   Sending files:
   
   
   
   
   
5. Sending the command
   
   
   
6. Response to the command
   Here is an example of the response to a login process.
   
   1. Direct response:
   
   
   2. Header information
   
   
   3. Cookies (separated):
   
   
   4. Analyze request:
   

There are three types of variables:
Path variables: {{variable}}
Environment variables: {{variable}}
System variables: {{#Variable}}


Environment variables can be defined in the Env tab.

Example: Login with environment variables

1. Log in and retrieve bearer token
   
   
   
   
2. Customize environment variable:
   
   
   Attention: Do not forget to save!
   
   
3. Use variable in POST command:
   

Attention:
The values of the variables are assigned in sequence.
If a variable exists more than once (no check of the editor!), the value of the lowest variable is always assigned,
Ex: Here the variable PortNumber is assigned the value 1.

Path variables are displayed between a single curly bracket.
These can be assigned to a command in the Query tab.

Environment variables can be defined in the Env tab.

Example: Login with environment variables

1. Log in and retrieve bearer token
   
   
   
   
2. Customize environment variable:
   
   
   Attention: Do not forget to save!
   
   
3. Use variable in POST command:
   

Attention:
The values of the variables are assigned in sequence.
If a variable exists more than once (no check of the editor!), the value of the lowest variable is always assigned,
Example: Here the variable PortNumber is assigned the value 1.

Only one variable list can be active at a time.
You can swap between the variable tables at the bottom of the development environment:

System variables are displayed in a double curly bracket and also have a hash {{#variable}}.



Example: Setting the system time using a system variable


Example: Randomly generated values for names, strings or emails

A distinction is made between pre-requests and POST requests, which can be sent automatically to a certain extent.
Javascript programs can also be played before or after.

Pre-requests are commands and requests that can be sent before the actual command is sent.

Example: Query whether you are logged in. If not, login is executed.

Scripting example:

Post-requests are sent or processed after the actual command has been executed.

Example: Setting variables.

Example: Checking the command response.

Example scripting: Evaluate response.

Scripting

Predefined collections or YAML files can be inserted via Import.
Each collection can be provided with global settings that affect every command and folder.

A base path can be specified under Options, which is placed in front of each command in the collection.
BaseURL and BasePath are stored here.
Example:
192.168.1.1/api/balluff/v2
The rest of the specific command is defined by the respective command input.

If external APIs are loaded via a YAML file, for example, variables may have to be adapted in the command:
As here, an additional {} must be inserted so that this is recognized as a variable of the Env table.

Attention: Each collection can only contain 50 commands in the free version!