Thunder Client
Lightweight API testing extension built for Visual Studio Code.
Read docs Updated 2026-06-17
What is Thunder Client?
Thunder Client is a minimal API client integrated into Visual Studio Code for creating and executing HTTP requests.
It is useful for developers who prefer testing APIs without leaving their code editor.
What you can build with Thunder Client
Test REST API endpoints
Developers send GET, POST, PUT and DELETE requests directly from VS Code to verify backend routes during feature development.
Debug live server responses
Inspect headers, status codes and JSON bodies returned by local or remote services without leaving the editor.
Prototype API calls quickly
Create ad-hoc requests to third-party services to explore response formats before writing integration code.
Get started with Thunder Client
- 1Install Thunder Client from the VS Code Extensions marketplace
- 2Reload or restart VS Code if prompted
- 3Click the Thunder Client icon in the activity bar
- 4Create a new HTTP request and choose method and URL
- 5Click Send to execute the request over HTTPS
Thunder Client: pros & cons
Pros
- +Native integration inside VS Code
- +No sign-up or API key required
- +All traffic uses HTTPS by default
- +Lightweight with fast startup
Cons
- –Only available as a VS Code extension
- –Fewer advanced features than standalone clients
- –No built-in team collaboration or collections sync
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Frequently asked questions
Thunder Client is a lightweight API testing extension for Visual Studio Code that lets users send HTTP requests.
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