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Bruno is a fast, Git-friendly desktop application for exploring and testing APIs. Unlike cloud-based API clients, Bruno stores your collections directly on your filesystem, making it perfect for version control and team collaboration.

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Key Features

Git-Friendly

Collections are stored as plain text files in your filesystem, making them easy to version control with Git.

Offline-First

No cloud sync required. Your data stays on your machine. Work anywhere, even without internet.

Multiple Protocols

Support for REST, GraphQL, gRPC, and WebSocket requests in a single application.

Scripting & Testing

Powerful JavaScript-based pre-request scripts, post-response scripts, and test assertions.

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Technology Stack

Bruno is built using modern web technologies:
  • Framework: Electron (desktop) + React (UI)
  • State Management: Redux
  • Styling: Tailwind CSS
  • Code Editor: CodeMirror
  • HTTP Client: Axios
  • Icons: Tabler Icons
  • File Watching: Chokidar

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Application Structure

The Bruno desktop app consists of several key areas: The left sidebar displays your collections, folders, and requests in a tree structure:
1

Collections

Top-level containers for related API requests. Each collection maps to a folder on your filesystem.
2

Folders

Organize requests within collections. Folders can be nested and support inheritance of auth, headers, and scripts.
3

Requests

Individual API requests (HTTP, GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket). Click to open in a new tab.

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Request Pane

The main area where you configure your API requests:
  • Query URL: Enter the endpoint URL with variable interpolation support
  • Tabs: Params, Body, Headers, Auth, Vars, Script, Assert, Tests, Docs, Settings
  • Method Selector: GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, etc.

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Response Pane

Displays the response from your API:
  • Response body (formatted JSON, XML, HTML, or raw text)
  • Headers
  • Timeline and performance metrics
  • Test results
  • Console output from scripts

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Status Bar

Shows collection information, environment selection, and shortcuts to preferences.

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File Format

Bruno uses a custom .bru file format that’s human-readable and Git-friendly: 
meta {
  name: Get Users
  type: http
  seq: 1
}

get {
  url: {{api_url}}/users
  body: none
  auth: bearer
}

auth:bearer {
  token: {{access_token}}
}

assert {
  res.status: eq 200
  res.body.users: isDefined
}

script:pre-request {
  // Set dynamic timestamp
  bru.setVar('timestamp', Date.now());
}

tests {
  test("Users array should not be empty", function() {
    expect(res.body.users).to.be.an('array');
    expect(res.body.users.length).to.be.greaterThan(0);
  });
}

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Collections vs Workspaces

A collection is a folder on your filesystem containing .bru files and a bruno.json configuration file. Collections are self-contained and can be shared via Git.
A workspace is a way to organize multiple collections in Bruno. You can have multiple workspaces (e.g., “Work”, “Personal”) and switch between them.

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Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Cmd/Ctrl + Enter: Send request
  • Cmd/Ctrl + S: Save request
  • Cmd/Ctrl + T: New request tab
  • Cmd/Ctrl + W: Close current tab

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Next Steps

Creating Requests

Learn how to create and configure API requests

Request Types

Explore REST, GraphQL, gRPC, and WebSocket support

Authentication

Configure authentication for your requests

Scripts & Tests

Add automation with pre-request and post-response scripts
Bruno’s desktop app is completely offline and privacy-focused. Your data never leaves your machine unless you explicitly share it.

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