Skip to content
Postman API Testing Tips

How To Use Postman In Vs Code

API Testing Blog

Streamlining Your Workflow: Using Postman in VS Code for API Testing

Whether you’re a seasoned tester or just starting with API testing, integrating Postman with your VS Code environment can significantly enhance your workflow. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up and leveraging Postman within VS Code, enriching your testing experience with seamless integration and powerful features.

1. Installing the Postman Extension for VS Code

The first step is installing the official Postman extension from the VS Code marketplace.

  1. Open VS Code and click on the Extensions icon (or press Ctrl+Shift+X).
  2. Search for “Postman” in the search bar.
  3. Select the Postman extension by the official Postman team.
  4. Click Install.

2. Setting Up Your Postman Workspace

Once installed, Postman needs to be configured to connect to your existing Postman workspace.

  1. Open a new VS Code window.
  2. Click the Postman icon in the left sidebar.
  3. Click the “Sign In” button and use your Postman account credentials.
  4. Select the workspace you want to use from the dropdown menu.

3. Creating and Editing Requests in VS Code

VS Code now allows you to interact with your Postman collections directly:

  1. Expand the “Collections” section in the Postman sidebar to view your Postman collections.
  2. Click on a collection to navigate through its requests.
  3. Double-click a request to open it in a new editor pane.
  4. Modify the request details:
    • Edit the HTTP method, URL, and headers.
    • Add or modify parameters and body content based on your testing needs.

Example:

{
  "method": "GET",
  "url": "https://example.com/api/users",
  "headers": {
    "Authorization": "Bearer your_access_token"
  }
}

4. Sending Requests and Viewing Responses

Sending API requests and examining their responses is simplified within VS Code:

  1. Click the “Send” button in the request editor.
  2. View the response details displayed in the lower pane, including the status code, headers, and body.
  3. Explore the response data using the built-in JSON/XML viewers.

5. Running Collections and Tests in VS Code

Execute your Postman collections directly from VS Code to streamline your testing process:

  1. Select the “Collections” section in the Postman sidebar.
  2. Click the “Run” button next to the collection you want to execute.
  3. Observe the results: The test results will be displayed in the lower pane, detailing the status of each request within the collection.

Example:

To run a collection named “User API Tests” and display the results in the VS Code console:

const newman = require('newman');


newman.run({
  collection: 'https://www.getpostman.com/collections/your_collection_id', // Replace with your collection ID
  environment: 'your_environment_id' // Replace with your environment ID (if needed)
}, function (err, summary) {
  if (err) { throw err; }
  console.log('summary', summary);
});

6. Leveraging VS Code’s Powerful Features

Integrate your API testing with VS Code’s rich feature set for a more efficient workflow:

  • Code snippets and autocompletion: Utilize VS Code’s intelligent code suggestions for faster and more accurate request construction.
  • Debugging: Debug your test scripts seamlessly with VS Code’s debugging tools, helping you identify errors and refine your test coverage.
  • Version control: Track changes to your API requests and test scripts using VS Code’s Git integration, facilitating collaboration and version control.

By integrating Postman with VS Code, you gain a powerful and convenient environment for API testing, combining the robust capabilities of Postman with the versatility and extensibility of VS Code. This approach allows you to streamline your testing process, collaborate more effectively, and significantly enhance overall efficiency.

API Testing Blog