How to send Postman Request as cURL? #postman #curl #request

Postman is a powerful tool for API testing, but did you know you can easily export your Postman
requests as cURL commands? This allows developers to run API requests from the command
line
and integrate with various tools or scripts. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to export a request
from Postman to cURL and how it can benefit your API development workflow.

The Importance of cURL Commands

cURL is a versatile command-line tool used to send HTTP requests. By exporting a Postman request to
cURL,
you gain the ability to execute the same API request directly from the terminal, which can be extremely useful for
automation, debugging, or even collaborating with team members who prefer command-line tools.

Tip: Converting requests to cURL is also helpful when integrating with CI/CD pipelines or
scripting
automated tests.

Steps to Export Postman Requests as cURL

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to export your Postman request as a cURL command:

• Open Postman: Start by selecting the request you want to export. This can be a GET, POST,
  PUT, or
  any other request type.
• Go to Code Snippet: In the request interface, click on the Code button located on
  the
  right-hand side.
• Select cURL: A popup window will appear with various languages and formats. Select
  cURL from the list.
• Copy the Command: The request is now formatted as a cURL command. Click the Copy
  button to copy it to your clipboard.

Once you have the cURL command, you can use it in any terminal or script to execute the request without Postman.

Why Export Requests as cURL?

Exporting Postman requests to cURL can improve collaboration and allow you to integrate your API calls
with
other command-line tools. It’s especially useful in environments where Postman might not be
available
or in cases where you want to automate the request execution.

• Command-line Integration: Easily integrate with terminal-based scripts.
• Automation: Run your requests in automated tests or build pipelines.
• Cross-team Collaboration: Share cURL commands with developers who work outside of Postman.

Practical Applications of cURL in Development

Using cURL commands derived from Postman is a common practice in DevOps workflows. For example:

• Debugging API issues: Recreate requests outside Postman to test API behavior in different
  environments.
• Scripting API calls: Automate repetitive tasks such as user creation or data fetching.
• Integration with CI/CD pipelines: Embed cURL commands in your deployment scripts for real-time API
  testing.

Conclusion

By learning how to export Postman requests as cURL, you open up new opportunities for
automation,
collaboration, and testing. Whether you’re integrating API calls into a script or sharing a request with team
members,
the ability to convert requests to cURL enhances your development toolkit.