Do Karve and httpyac use .http files?

Yes. Both execute .http and .rest files. Basic REST requests can move between them, while httpyac scripts, assertions, authentication helpers, plugins, and additional protocols are outside Karve's supported subset.

What is the main difference between Karve and httpyac?

Karve is a native Windows GUI for organizing, sending, and reviewing REST requests. httpyac is a free MIT-licensed VS Code and command-line tool designed for extensibility, automation, and CI.

Can Karve run httpyac tests in CI?

No. Karve v1 has no CLI, scripts, or assertions. Keep httpyac for automated tests and use Karve for interactive REST exploration when both workflows are needed.

Karve — a native Windows alternative to httpyac

httpyac is a capable free toolkit for executing .http files in VS Code, a CLI, Docker, and CI. Karve is the interactive counterpart: a native Windows REST workspace with a structured response viewer and persistent history.

Side by side

Dimension	Karve	httpyac
Interface	Native Windows GUI	VS Code extension, npm CLI, Docker, and notebook tooling
Files	Portable REST subset of .http/.rest	.http/.rest with scripting, assertions, hooks, and plugins
Protocols	REST / HTTP	REST, SOAP, GraphQL, and gRPC
Auth	Headers and ordinary variables; no auth-helper UI	OAuth2, AWS, Basic, Digest, client certificates, and custom flows
Automation	Manual sends; no CI runner or assertions	Scripts, assertions, folder execution, plugins, and CI/CD integration
License	$29.99 sale ($39.99 regular), one-time	Free and MIT licensed

httpyac facts checked against its official documentation in July 2026. Karve facts reflect shipping v1.0.5.

Choose Karve when

You want a dedicated visual REST client instead of an editor or terminal.
You need structured responses and searchable local history.
You collect request files from several repositories.
A native Windows x64 and ARM64 app matters.

Choose httpyac when

You need a free CLI or VS Code extension.
Requests must run in CI or across an entire folder.
You need scripts, assertions, plugins, or auth helpers.
SOAP, GraphQL, or gRPC is part of the current workflow.

FAQ

Do both tools use .http files?

Yes. Basic REST requests can move between them. httpyac scripts, assertions, auth helpers, plugins, and extra protocols are not supported by Karve.

What is the main difference?

Karve is a visual native Windows workspace. httpyac is a free, extensible editor-and-CLI toolkit built for automation as well as interactive use.

Can Karve replace httpyac in CI?

No. Keep httpyac when automated execution is required. The tools can coexist around the portable request subset.

Sources: httpyac overview, guide, and CLI documentation.

On Karve's roadmap

Everything above ships in Karve v1.0.5 today — including environments and persistent, searchable history. A few more things are planned for upcoming v1.x updates, included in the one-time price and on the way:

Workspace Code completion Import (Postman & cURL) WebSocket

See the full roadmap for what's coming and what's deliberately out of scope.

More alternatives

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