Postman Tutorial (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 27 May, 2026

Postman is a widely used API testing tool that simplifies sending requests, validating responses, and automating workflows. It helps developers and testers build, test, and manage APIs efficiently through an intuitive interface.

Create and manage API requests with ease.
Organize workflows using collections and variables.
Automate testing with scripts, mock servers, and Postman API features.

Why Learn Postman?

Used for testing, developing, and managing APIs in web and mobile applications.
Widely used by developers and testers for API automation and collaboration.
Supports features like collections, variables, scripts, and mock servers for efficient API workflows.
Helps validate API responses, status codes, and performance without using the UI.
Trusted by many software companies for simplifying API development and testing processes.
Postman makes working with APIs much simpler, even when things get tricky.
Helps automate tests and fits right into your development process.
Perfect for teams with easy sharing and version control.
Scripting and environment features help you work faster and get more done.

Postman Features

Postman provides various features that help developers efficiently build, test, automate, and manage APIs.

User-friendly interface for creating and testing APIs easily.
Supports multiple HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE.
Provides automated API testing using JavaScript test scripts.
Allows request organization using collections and folders.
Supports authentication methods such as OAuth, Bearer Token, and API Keys.
Enables team collaboration through shared workspaces and API documentation.
Provides environment variables for reusable configurations.
Supports mock servers and API monitoring features.

Prerequisites

Basic API concepts (HTTP methods, headers, response codes).
How RESTful APIs work.
Some JavaScript knowledge for scripting.
Familiarity with command line for Advanced Automation using Newman.

Introduction

Postman is a handy tool that makes it easy for developers to send API requests, keep their work organized, and test APIs. It runs smoothly on Windows, Ubuntu, and other systems, and has a simple interface that’s easy to get around.

Installation and Updates

Navigating API Testing with Postman

Sending Your First Request

Sending API Requests

Getting started is simple just create an API request using methods like GET, POST, PUT, or PATCH. You can add headers or data if needed, hit send, and then check the response to see if everything’s working as expected.

Creating First Collection

Managing Collections

When you have lots of API requests, collections help you keep them grouped and tidy. Think of collections as folders where you store related requests. You can even run a series of requests automatically using the Collection Runner.

Variables and Environments

Variables save you time by storing things like URLs or tokens that change depending on where you’re testing—like development or production. Switch environments, and Postman updates all your requests automatically without you needing to do it manually.

Writing Scripts in Postman

Postman lets you add little scripts using JavaScript to automate tasks. You can set scripts to run before a request to prepare things, or after to check if the response is what you expected. The Chai assertion library helps make these checks easy to write and understand.

Mock Servers

Sometimes the real API isn’t ready, but you still want to keep building. Mock servers create fake API endpoints that send back preset responses. This way, your frontend team can keep working without waiting for the backend.