Boost Spring Boot API Testing with the Free Open‑Source Cool Request Plugin

Introduction

When developing Spring Boot back‑ends, developers often need an API testing tool. While tools like Postman are common, the most convenient approach is to test directly inside IntelliJ IDEA using a plugin that can analyze controller definitions and issue HTTP requests without leaving the IDE.

The article recommends Cool Request , a free and open‑source IDEA plugin designed for this purpose.

Plugin name: Cool Request GitHub: https://github.com/houxinlin/cool-request Documentation: plugin.houxinlin.com Purpose: Simplify Spring Boot backend interface debugging. Installation: Search “Cool Request” in the IDEA plugin marketplace.

Key Features

Method Execution Timing Statistics

Cool Request uniquely offers trace‑based timing statistics for any package except the Java core packages. When enabled, the plugin automatically tracks method calls starting from the controller. Depth levels control how deep the tracing goes (controller only, controller → service, etc.). Users can manually add methods to the trace if static analysis cannot resolve them.

The UI shows a "+100" indicator next to a method, meaning the method was invoked 100 times during the trace, though individual method durations are not displayed. Methods exceeding a configurable threshold (e.g., 5 ms) are highlighted in red.

Bypass Interceptors and Filters

For endpoints protected by authentication, Cool Request can send a request that skips interceptors and filters, allowing direct access to the controller method. This is useful when a token has expired and re‑login is inconvenient.

Trigger Scheduled Jobs and XXL‑Job

The plugin can manually trigger long‑running scheduled tasks or XXL‑Job jobs with a single click, optionally passing parameters, and also supports Spring’s built‑in scheduler annotations.

Java Pre‑ and Post‑Execution Scripts

Cool Request is the only IDEA plugin that supports custom Java scripts before and after a request. Scripts can create UI windows, call third‑party libraries, or use Spring Boot utilities. Example: extracting a token from a JSON response and storing it as a global request header.

public void handlerResponse(ILog log, HTTPResponse response, IEnv env) {
    env.getCurrentEnv().setEnvHeader("Authorization", response.getIfJSONBody().getKey("data").toString());
}

Alternatively, using FastJSON to parse the response body:

public void handlerResponse(ILog log, HTTPResponse response, IEnv env) {
    String body = new String(response.getResponseBody());
    log.println(body);
    User user = JSON.parseObject(body, User.class);
    log.println(user.getAge() + "");
}

Debugging in the Code Editor

Requests can be opened in a new tab via the “Open in a new tab” action, preserving the parameters from the previous execution.

Export to Third‑Party Tools

Cool Request integrates with Apifox and Apipost for one‑click export, and also supports exporting the definition as an OpenAPI specification.

Multiple Icons and Language Switch

The plugin offers two icon themes and a Chinese/English toggle to suit different user preferences.

Response Preview

Five response formats are automatically detected and rendered: JSON, text, image, HTML, and XML.

Conclusion

Cool Request provides a comprehensive set of features that significantly improve the convenience of debugging Spring Boot APIs directly within IntelliJ IDEA, making it a valuable tool for backend developers.