Yaak – An open source, Git-friendly desktop API client
Hi HN! I'm Greg and I've been working on Yaak for just over a year. I usually describe it as a Postman alternative since most developers are familiar with that, but it's targeted more toward users that just want an API client (no mocking, testing, spec design, etc). Having also created Insomnia for a similar purpose, I never thought I'd build another API client again. But, after selling Insomnia in 2019 and watching it expand into the broader feature set of Postman, I was left wanting a simpler tool again. Yaak was my answer to that. It's hard to describe how it's better than the 100 other…
In plain words
Yaak is an open-source desktop API client designed for developers who need a streamlined tool for testing REST, GraphQL, and WebSocket APIs without extra features like mocking or testing frameworks. Built by the creator of Insomnia, it prioritizes simplicity and clean design. Its standout features include syncing API data to local plain-text files for Git version control and support for custom plugins to extend authentication, templating, and actions.
written from the facts on this page · September 2026
From the sources
In the maker’s words, at launch
Hi HN! I'm Greg and I've been working on Yaak for just over a year. I usually describe it as a Postman alternative since most developers are familiar with that, but it's targeted more toward users that just want an API client (no mocking, testing, spec design, etc). Having also created Insomnia for a similar purpose, I never thought I'd build another API client again. But, after selling Insomnia in 2019 and watching it expand into the broader feature set of Postman, I was left wanting a simpler tool again. Yaak was my answer to that. It's hard to describe how it's better than the 100 other API clients, since its main benefit is design, but there are a few stand-out features: - Optionally sync data to a local directory as plain-text, for use with Git/etc - Build and install plugins for authentication, template functions, or generic actions - Support for REST, GraphQL, WebSocket, server sent events, and gRPC Yaak requires a license for commercial use but this only applies when using the prebuilt binaries. If building from source, a license is not required. It's available for Mac, Windows, and Linux and the source is at https://github.com/mountain-loop/yaak I'd love to hear you think!
More dev tools this month
the category →
Open-source GTM skills for technical founders
Dev tools · 29d ago · gtmcofounder.com
OpenTrailPaper is open-source bike computer firmware for the LilyGO T5S3 4.7" E-Paper PRO. It supports offline maps, GPX routes, FIT recording and Bluetooth sensors.
Dev tools · 1d ago · opentrailpaper.com
Launched alongside, February 2025
the whole month →
Screen Studio 3.0▲1,833Beautiful screen recordings with instant shareable links
Growth · 2025 · screen.studio
- IG
I was at FB/Meta from late 2013 to early 2023, mostly working in the compiler/runtime spaces. I got hit in the spring 2023 layoff wave. I immediately started making games in my newfound free time (a lifelong interest, and I even worked in AA(A?) back ca. ~2000), and in October 2023 I stumbled upon the idea of a roguelike pachinko/plinko game inspired by Luck Be A Landlord. Things snowballed quickly, I started talking to publishers, then worked like crazy through all of 2024, almost the hardest I've ever worked in my career, and launched the game in December 2024. It's sold…
Work · 2025
- IB
i wanted to change the habit of reaching for my phone in the morning and doomscrolling away an hour so i built an app to help me. now i have to literally touch grass before accessing my most distracting apps the app is built in swiftui, uses the screen time apis provided by apple and google vision to recognise grass or not i'd love to get your thoughts on the concept.
Life & fun · 2025 · touchgrass.now