A GraphQL API is a query language and runtime for APIs that enables clients to request exactly the data they need, nothing more and nothing less. In Activepieces, GraphQL APIs can be connected through custom pieces, giving users expanded integration options beyond standard REST APIs.
GraphQL is an API query language developed by Facebook in 2012 and released publicly in 2015. Unlike REST APIs, which provide fixed endpoints with predefined responses, GraphQL allows clients to specify the exact fields and data structures they want.
This makes interactions more efficient, reducing over-fetching and under-fetching of data.
A GraphQL API exposes a schema that defines the types of data available and the relationships between them. Clients then write queries against this schema, and the server responds with precisely the requested data in a predictable format, usually JSON.
For example, if a client only needs a user’s name and email, it can query just those fields instead of receiving an entire user object. In Activepieces, this flexibility allows workflows to integrate tightly with apps that support GraphQL.
GraphQL APIs work by giving clients control over the data they request. In Activepieces, the connection process typically involves:
This model provides flexibility and efficiency, especially for workflows that rely on complex or variable data.
GraphQL APIs are important because they solve inefficiencies common in REST APIs. By letting clients request only the data they need, GraphQL reduces wasted bandwidth and speeds up workflows.
It also simplifies the development process by allowing multiple resources to be retrieved in a single query instead of requiring multiple API calls.
Key reasons GraphQL APIs matter include:
For Activepieces, supporting GraphQL APIs through custom pieces extends its integration power. It allows users to connect to modern services that rely on GraphQL and build workflows that take advantage of its flexible querying.
GraphQL APIs are increasingly common in modern SaaS and enterprise applications. Examples of use cases in Activepieces include:
These examples highlight how GraphQL APIs expand the capabilities of flows when connected through Activepieces.
A GraphQL API is an application programming interface that lets clients request exactly the data they need by writing queries against a defined schema. It provides more efficient and flexible data retrieval compared to REST APIs.
REST APIs provide fixed endpoints with predefined responses, which can lead to over-fetching or under-fetching data. GraphQL APIs, by contrast, allow clients to request only the fields they need, often combining multiple resources into a single query.
Activepieces supports GraphQL APIs through custom pieces. Users can build pieces that connect to GraphQL endpoints, enabling flexible data retrieval and extending integration options beyond the platform’s pre-built REST-based pieces.
