Stop Copy-Pasting cURL into Postman – Use This Lightweight cURL HTTP Client
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As developers, we live in the terminal, but we debug in the browser.
Whether you’re digging through server logs, watching a CI/CD pipeline fail, or trying to figure out why a staging API is returning a 500, you almost always end up with a cURL command.
The problem isn't the cURL; it’s what happens next. The "Standard Workflow" usually looks like this:
Copy the massive, multi-line cURL.
Open Postman (and wait for it to load/update).
Create a new request.
Import the cURL or manually paste headers.
Deal with a "CORS" error because your browser is protecting you.
Repeat this 20 times a day.
It’s a lot of context switching for a "quick check." I wanted something faster. Something that felt like a bridge between the terminal and a full-blown API client.
That’s why I built the .
🛠 What actually makes this different?
This isn't trying to replace Postman for your team's entire API documentation. It’s built for speed. It’s the tool you reach for when you just want to "paste and send."
1. It speaks "Real-World" cURL
We’ve all tried to paste a cURL that has backslashes, weird quoting, or multi-line flags, only for a parser to break. I spent a lot of time making sure this tool understands the cURL commands you actually find in production logs—escaped characters and all.
2. The "CORS" Problem: Solved
If you’ve ever tried to test a third-party API directly from a browser console, you know the pain of CORS. I included a Proxy Toggle. When you enable it, the request is routed through a backend proxy, allowing you to bypass those browser restrictions and test local or third-party endpoints without the headache.
3. A Response Viewer that actually makes sense
Instead of a wall of raw text, the tool auto-detects JSON and gives you a collapsible tree. You can expand just the nodes you care about—perfect for those massive 2,000-line API responses.
🧩 Key Features for Your Workflow
Editable Everything: Once you paste your cURL, it’s not static. You can toggle headers on/off, change the URL, or switch the HTTP method with one click.
Body Modes: Switch between JSON, XML, or Plain Text instantly. There’s even a "Format JSON" button to clean up messy payloads before you hit send.
Zero Setup: No accounts, no "Workspaces," no sync issues. You open the tab, you use the tool, you close the tab.
💡 Common Use Cases
Replaying Logs: When a user reports an error and you find the failing request in your logs.
Auth Debugging: Quickly tweaking Bearer tokens or API keys to see where permissions are failing.
Local Testing: Testing your local dev server via the proxy to see exactly how it handles incoming requests.
Final Thoughts
I built MTKits because I was tired of "heavy" software for "light" tasks. This cURL client is the latest addition to that philosophy.
If you’re like me and just want to get your debugging done so you can get back to coding, give it a try. It’s free, it’s fast, and it might just save you a few dozen "Postman Loading" screens a day.
👉 Try it out here: https://mtkits.com/curl-http-client
What’s your current "quick and dirty" way to replay requests? Let me know in the comments—I’m always looking for ways to improve these tools!
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