What is GraphQL Prettifier?
GraphQL queries can grow quickly with nested selections and fragments. Without formatting, it is easy to miss fields, arguments, or directives during reviews.
GraphQL Prettifier applies consistent indentation and spacing so developers can read and debug queries faster in daily workflows.
Unformatted GraphQL obscures intent
Minified queries hide nesting levels and make selection sets hard to scan.
Fragments and directives are easy to miss when everything is on one line.
Reviewing query changes without formatting increases the risk of missing breaking changes.
Copying queries between tools often strips whitespace and readability.
Readable formatting with clear limits
This tool formats GraphQL operations, fragments, and variables into a consistent structure.
Processing happens locally, which protects sensitive query data.
It does not validate against your schema; run validation in your GraphQL environment.
How to Use GraphQL Prettifier
- 1Paste query - Insert your query, mutation, or fragment.
- 2Format - Generate the prettified output.
- 3Review structure - Check nesting and field selections.
- 4Validate syntax - Confirm the query is still valid.
- 5Copy output - Use in your client or docs.
- 6Test against schema - Run the query to verify results.
Key Features
- Automatic indentation
- Handles queries, mutations, and fragments
- Preserves comments
- Validates syntax
- One-click copy
- Clean output formatting
Benefits
- Debug complex GraphQL queries
- Improve code readability
- Prepare queries for documentation
- Standardize team code style
- Review queries more efficiently
Use cases
API debugging
Inspect and fix complex queries.
Code reviews
Review query changes more easily.
Documentation
Publish readable examples in docs.
QA testing
Verify query fields in test cases.
Client tooling
Standardize queries in codebases.
Incident response
Inspect queries from logs.
Schema migration
Audit queries for breaking changes.
Training
Teach query structure with clear formatting.
Tips and common mistakes
Tips
- Format before reviewing nested selections.
- Keep fragments grouped near their usage.
- Use consistent indentation for diffs.
- Validate queries against your schema after edits.
- Check directive placement after formatting.
- Review argument ordering for clarity.
- Keep variables organized with query operations.
- Normalize line endings for clean diffs.
Common mistakes
- Assuming formatting validates schema correctness.
- Ignoring missing fields after prettifying.
- Reformatting and editing without testing.
- Mixing multiple operations without clear separation.
- Publishing formatted queries without verifying output.
- Using prettified output as a substitute for linting.
- Dropping comments that explain query intent.
- Assuming all clients support the same GraphQL features.
Technical Details
Formats queries per GraphQL specification (October 2021).
All processing is performed client-side using JavaScript. No data is transmitted to external servers.
Educational notes
- Formatting does not validate against schemas.
- Whitespace is not significant in GraphQL syntax.
- Fragments improve reuse but complicate reviews.
- Directives can alter execution behavior.
- Variables should be validated in client code.
- Schema changes can break existing queries.
- Consistent formatting improves diffs and reviews.
- Always test queries against your API.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does formatting change query behavior?
No. It changes whitespace only.
Does it validate against my schema?
No. Use your GraphQL server or linter for validation.
Can it format multiple operations?
Yes, it formats documents with multiple queries or fragments.
Is my query uploaded?
No. Formatting happens locally in your browser.
Will it preserve comments?
It should, but review output to confirm.
Does it handle directives?
Yes, directives are preserved and formatted.
Can I format queries with variables?
Yes. Variables are preserved in the output.
Why does my query still error?
Formatting does not fix schema or validation errors.
Is this suitable for production?
Use it for readability; always validate in your environment.
Does it support custom scalars?
Formatting is schema-agnostic and does not depend on scalars.
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