How to install Crul on Windows?

Crul doesn't have official Windows support; the README only covers Mac and Linux. You might need to use WSL or compile from source with Crystal, which can be tricky.

Crul vs httpie: which is better for daily use?

Crul is faster and has no dependencies due to Crystal, but httpie is more feature-rich and mature. Choose Crul for speed and simplicity, httpie for advanced features like built-in JSON handling.

How to make a POST request with JSON data in Crul?

Use 'crul post URL -d {"key":"value"} -H Content-Type:application/json', as shown in the README examples. Ensure the data is properly formatted for JSON responses.

Does Crul support OAuth or token authentication?

No, Crul only supports basic authentication via the -a option. For OAuth or bearer tokens, you'd need to manually set headers, which is less convenient than in some alternatives.

Can I use Crul in shell scripts for automation?

Yes, but with limitations: its simpler syntax works for basic tasks, but for complex scripting with error handling or advanced options, curl might be more reliable.

How to enable syntax highlighting for XML responses?

Syntax highlighting is automatic when using the -x flag for XML or based on content detection. No extra setup is needed, as mentioned in the features list.

crul

MITCrystalv0.4.2

A user-friendly command-line HTTP client written in Crystal, designed as a curl alternative with syntax highlighting.

GitHub

113 stars11 forks0 contributors

What is crul?

Crul is a command-line HTTP client written in Crystal, designed to be a user-friendly replacement for curl. It provides essential HTTP features like making requests, setting headers, and handling authentication, with added benefits like syntax highlighting for JSON and XML responses. It solves the problem of complex and verbose curl commands by offering a simpler, more intuitive interface for developers working with web APIs.

Target Audience

Developers, DevOps engineers, and QA testers who regularly use command-line tools for API testing, debugging, and automation. It's especially useful for those who find curl's syntax cumbersome and prefer a more streamlined experience.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Crul for its balance of simplicity and functionality, offering a cleaner alternative to curl with built-in syntax highlighting and easier command syntax. Its focus on user experience and fast performance, thanks to Crystal, makes it a practical tool for everyday HTTP tasks.

Overview

Command line HTTP client written in Crystal

Use Cases

Best For

Quickly testing REST APIs from the command line

Related Projects

Community-curated · Updated weekly · 100% open source

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Debugging HTTP requests and responses with highlighted output

Automating simple HTTP interactions in scripts

Learning HTTP basics without curl's complexity

Inspecting JSON or XML API responses in a readable format

Performing authenticated requests with basic auth

Not Ideal For

Complex API testing requiring digest authentication or proxy support, as these features are only planned and not yet implemented.
Environments using shells other than Bash (e.g., Zsh or Fish) for autocompletion, since only Bash completion is supported.
Production scripts needing robust error handling or support for all HTTP methods and advanced curl options, due to its limited feature set.
Users on non-Mac or non-Ubuntu/Debian systems without pre-built packages, as installation from source requires Crystal and can be complex.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Fast Performance

Built with the Crystal language, Crul offers high-speed execution for HTTP requests, making it efficient for frequent command-line use, as highlighted in the README.

Easy Installation

With no dependencies and simple installation via package managers like Homebrew or APT, Crul is quick to set up and run, reducing setup overhead.

Readable Output

Automatic syntax highlighting for JSON and XML responses improves clarity during debugging, as demonstrated in the usage examples with formatted output.

Simplified Syntax

Inspired by httpie, Crul provides a more intuitive command structure than curl, with clear options for methods, headers, and data, reducing verbosity.

Cons

Limited Feature Set

Missing advanced functionalities like digest authentication and user-friendly request body generation, which are only planned, making it less capable for complex use cases.

Early Development Stage

As noted in the README, Crul is in an early stage, which may lead to bugs, incomplete implementations, and a lack of stability compared to mature tools like curl.

Shell Support Gaps

Only Bash completion is supported, ignoring users of other popular shells like Zsh or Fish, limiting its usability in diverse environments.

Open Source Alternative To

crul is an open-source alternative to the following products:

HTTPie

HTTPie is a command-line HTTP client designed for API testing and debugging, featuring a user-friendly syntax, JSON support, and syntax highlighting for terminal output.

cURL

cURL is a command-line tool and library for transferring data with URLs, supporting various protocols like HTTP, FTP, and SFTP, widely used for API testing and data transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions

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