Question 1

How to set up GraphQL Helix with Express?

Accepted Answer

The README provides a basic example where you create a request object from Express req/res, use processRequest to handle GraphQL operations, and manually handle response types like MULTIPART_RESPONSE for @defer/@stream. You'll need to integrate middleware and error handling yourself.

Question 2

GraphQL Helix vs Apollo Server: which is better?

Accepted Answer

GraphQL Helix is better for custom, specification-compliant implementations with full control, while Apollo Server offers more out-of-the-box features like caching and tooling. Choose Helix for flexibility or Apollo for faster development with built-in conveniences.

Question 3

Does GraphQL Helix support real-time subscriptions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it supports GraphQL subscriptions and real-time data streams through the PUSH response type, as highlighted in the features. However, you must implement the subscription transport and event handling manually.

Question 4

How to handle authentication with GraphQL Helix?

Accepted Answer

Since it's low-level, you need to implement authentication in your HTTP layer (e.g., using Express middleware) or within the GraphQL context, as there's no built-in auth system. This requires custom code for token validation or session management.

Question 5

Can GraphQL Helix run in a Deno environment?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it's framework and runtime agnostic, so it can run in Deno, Node.js, or the browser, but you'll need to adapt the HTTP handling to Deno's native APIs, as shown in the examples directory.

Question 6

What are the performance trade-offs of GraphQL Helix?

Accepted Answer

Its minimal design reduces overhead, but performance depends heavily on your implementation. Without built-in optimizations like persisted queries or batching, you may need to add these features manually, which can impact efficiency.

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