Frequently asked questions
Everything about installing GraphQLab, your data and what the app can do.
About GraphQLab
What is GraphQLab?
GraphQLab is a local-first desktop GraphQL client for macOS, Windows and Linux. It has a schema-aware editor with autocomplete, validation and hover docs, projects with environments, searchable history and file uploads.
Do I need an account?
No. There is no cloud and no account: you download the app and start using it.
What does local-first mean?
Everything stays on your machine, in a local SQLite database. Nothing is sent to any cloud service. See where your data lives.
How does GraphQLab avoid CORS problems?
Requests run natively on your machine instead of inside a web page, so any endpoint is reachable and browser CORS rules do not get in the way.
Features
Does GraphQLab have autocomplete and schema documentation?
Yes. The editor is schema-aware: autocomplete, validation and hover docs are powered by live schema introspection, and a built-in schema explorer lets you search types, fields and descriptions.
Can I use environments and variables?
Yes. You organise work into projects with endpoints, default headers and reusable {{variables}}, and you can switch between environments such as Development.
Does GraphQLab support file uploads?
Yes. It supports the full multipart request spec through the native file picker.
Does it keep a history of my requests?
Yes. Every project has a searchable run history, including the variables and headers of each run.
Download and install
Which platforms does GraphQLab run on?
Which download do I need for my Mac?
Open the Apple menu and choose About This Mac to see the chip. Apple Silicon (M1 or newer) needs the arm64 .dmg, an Intel Mac needs the x64 .dmg.
Which Windows installer do I need?
Open Settings > System > About and read the system type. Most PCs need x64, ARM machines such as Snapdragon PCs need arm64, and older 32-bit machines need ia32.
Why does Windows SmartScreen warn me about the installer?
The Windows installer is not code-signed, so SmartScreen may show "Windows protected your PC". Check the SHA-256 value first, then click More info and Run anyway.
Is the macOS app safe to open?
The app is signed with a Developer ID certificate and notarized by Apple, so it opens without any Gatekeeper workaround.
Do I need administrator rights on Windows?
No. The installer installs for the current user only and needs no administrator rights.
How do I install GraphQLab on Linux?
Install the .deb with apt, for example sudo apt install ./GraphQLab-<version>-amd64.deb (use the file for your architecture; dpkg --print-architecture tells you which). Use apt rather than dpkg -i because it installs the missing libraries for you. Details are in the Linux guide.
How do I verify my download?
Every file has a SHA-256 checksum next to it. On macOS run shasum -a 256 <file>, on Windows Get-FileHash .\<file> -Algorithm SHA256, on Linux sha256sum -c --ignore-missing SHA256SUMS in the folder that contains the package and the SHA256SUMS file.
How do I update GraphQLab?
Install the newer version the same way as the first time and your data is kept: on macOS drag the new app to Applications and choose Replace, on Windows run the new installer, on Linux install the newer .deb. See what changed in each version.
How do I uninstall GraphQLab?
On macOS drag the app from Applications to the Trash, on Windows use Settings > Apps > Installed apps > GraphQLab > Uninstall, on Linux run sudo apt remove graphqlab. Your projects and history stay on disk until you delete the data folder.
Your data
Where is my data stored?
In a local SQLite database called playground.db:
- macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/GraphQLab/playground.db - Windows:
%APPDATA%\GraphQLab\playground.db - Linux:
~/.config/GraphQLab/playground.db
An installation that was first used under the old package name keeps using its existing folder instead (graphql-playground in the same location).
Is anything sent to the cloud?
No. Everything is stored locally and nothing is sent to any cloud service.
How do I delete all my data?
Uninstall the app and then remove the data folder listed above. Uninstalling alone leaves your projects and history on disk.