> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.liteclient.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# HTTP Requests
> Build precise HTTP requests with a familiar interface, supporting all major methods and content types
LiteClient provides a comprehensive interface for building HTTP requests with full control over methods, URLs, parameters, headers, and body content.
## Request Methods
LiteClient supports all standard HTTP methods:
* **GET** - Retrieve resources
* **POST** - Create new resources
* **PUT** - Replace existing resources
* **PATCH** - Partially update resources
* **DELETE** - Remove resources
* **HEAD** - Retrieve headers only
* **OPTIONS** - Query supported methods
Select your method from the dropdown next to the URL bar.
## URL & Query Parameters
### URL Input
Enter your full URL in the URL bar. The URL supports variable substitution using the `{{variableName}}` syntax:
```text theme={null}
{{baseUrl}}/api/v1/users/{{userId}}
```
Type `{{` to trigger autocomplete and see all available variables from your global, collection, and environment scopes.
### Query Parameters Editor
Manage query parameters with a dedicated key-value editor:
Click **Add Parameter** to create a new query parameter row.
Type the parameter name and value. Both support variable substitution.
Use the checkbox to enable or disable individual parameters without deleting them.
**Example:**
```text theme={null}
Key: page Value: 1
Key: limit Value: {{pageSize}}
Key: sort Value: created_at
```
This generates: `?page=1&limit=50&sort=created_at`
## Headers
Customize request headers with full control over keys and values.
### Adding Headers
1. Navigate to the **Headers** tab
2. Click **Add Header**
3. Enter the header key and value
4. Both key and value support variable substitution
Use the checkbox next to each header to temporarily disable it without deleting. This is useful for:
* Testing with and without authentication
* Debugging header-related issues
* A/B testing different header values
### Common Headers Example
```http theme={null}
Content-Type: application/json
Accept: application/json
X-API-Key: {{apiKey}}
User-Agent: LiteClient/1.0
```
Authentication headers (like `Authorization`) can be set automatically using the Auth tab. See the [Authentication](/features/authentication) page for details.
## Request Body
Configure request bodies with multiple content types:
### No Body
Select **No Body** for GET and HEAD requests that don't send a request body.
### Raw Body
The raw body editor supports multiple content types with syntax highlighting:
```json theme={null}
{
"name": "{{userName}}",
"email": "user@example.com",
"role": "admin"
}
```
Includes automatic syntax highlighting and validation.
```xml theme={null}
{{userName}}
user@example.com
```
```html theme={null}
{{title}}
{{content}}
```
```javascript theme={null}
const data = {
apiKey: "{{apiKey}}",
timestamp: Date.now()
};
```
```text theme={null}
Simple text content with {{variables}}
```
### Form Data
Upload files and send multipart form data:
Choose **Form Data** from the body type dropdown.
Add key-value pairs for text fields and file uploads.
Click the file icon next to a field to select a file for upload (25MB limit).
**Example use case:**
```text theme={null}
Key: title Value: Profile Picture
Key: image Value: [Select File: avatar.jpg]
Key: category Value: {{imageCategory}}
```
Form-data file uploads have a 25MB size limit. For larger files, consider using a dedicated file upload API.
### URL-Encoded Form Data
Send form data as `application/x-www-form-urlencoded`:
```text theme={null}
Key: username Value: {{userName}}
Key: password Value: {{userPassword}}
Key: remember Value: true
```
This sends: `username=john&password=secret&remember=true`
## Variable Substitution
Variables work in all body types:
* **Raw JSON/XML/HTML** - Use `{{variableName}}` anywhere in the content
* **Form Data** - Both keys and values support variables
* **URL-Encoded** - Keys and values support variables
Variable resolution follows the layered precedence: Environment → Collection → Global. Only enabled variables are resolved.
## Sending Requests
Once you've configured your request:
Click the **Send** button in the URL bar to execute the request.
The response appears in the bottom panel with status, headers, body, and cookies.
Click **Cancel** during long-running operations to abort the request.
## Request Execution Flow
When you send a request, LiteClient:
1. Runs pre-request scripts (if configured)
2. Resolves all variables (globals → collection → environment)
3. Substitutes variables in URL, headers, body, and auth
4. Sends relevant cookies based on domain
5. Executes the HTTP request
6. Captures the response
7. Runs post-response scripts (if configured)
8. Records the request in history
Pre-request and post-response scripts can modify variables and perform assertions. See the [Scripting](/features/scripting) page for details.
## Multi-Tab Editing
Work on multiple requests simultaneously:
* Open multiple request panels at once
* Drag tabs to reorder
* Unsaved changes indicator (dot) shows when modifications haven't been saved
* Each tab maintains independent state
Save frequently used requests to collections so you can quickly open them later from the sidebar.
## Best Practices
Replace hardcoded values like API keys, user IDs, and base URLs with variables. This makes requests reusable across environments.
Use the enable/disable toggle for headers and parameters instead of deleting them. This preserves your configuration for future testing.
When saving requests to collections, use clear names that describe what the request does: "Create User", "Get Order by ID", "Delete Product".
Some APIs accept multiple content types. Save separate requests for JSON and XML variants to test both formats.