Organize files across repos
Karve gathers .http files from multiple repositories into virtual folders without moving the files on disk, so your repo structure stays intact.
Karve
Karve is a native Windows workspace for .http and .rest files, built for developers who keep API requests in repos and want to organize, run, and inspect them locally. It uses a one-time Microsoft Store purchase model with a free trial and no subscription.
Native workspace for .http files
Karve is a native Windows workspace for .http and .rest files. It is built for developers who already keep API requests as plain text files in repositories and want a dedicated app to organize, run, and inspect those requests without moving them into a proprietary collection format.
The product stays local-first: files remain where they are, work with Git, and can be opened in other editors or clients that understand the format. Karve adds a file explorer, request runner, response viewer, environments, tabs, and persistent history around the same files you already use.
The site positions Karve as a REST-only tool in its current version. It supports Windows 10 and 11, offers a 15-day free trial, and is sold as a one-time Microsoft Store purchase rather than a subscription.
Core capabilities
Run requests from the file
Each request can be run from its method line, and the response opens alongside the editor with status, timing, headers, raw content, and a collapsible JSON tree.
Persistent request history
The app keeps a searchable local history of requests and responses across sessions, and you can reopen past calls in a tab.
File-level environments
Karve supports per-file .env environments, so you can switch between dev, staging, and prod values without editing the requests themselves.
Tabs with restore
The workspace includes tabs with session restore, letting you continue from the same set of open request files after relaunching the app.
Native Windows workflow
Karve is a native WinUI 3 application with light and dark themes, Mica styling, and support for drag-and-drop from File Explorer.
Common workflows
Managing API requests across repos
Use Karve when you have .http files scattered across several repositories and want one place to browse, open, and run them without reorganizing the files.
Testing requests with context
Use it while coding when you want to run a request, inspect the exact resolved request that was sent, and review the response beside the file.
Revisiting API calls later
Use the local history and session restore to reopen previous calls, compare responses, and continue work after closing the app.
Working across dev, staging, and prod
Use per-file environments and file variables to switch hosts or tokens for different stages without rewriting the request body each time.
Starting from specs or learning the format
Use the free OpenAPI / Swagger to .http converter or the .http guide when you are standardizing request files from specs or learning the format.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Keeps .http and .rest files as plain text in your repos, so they remain editable and Git-friendly.
- Runs requests and shows responses in a dedicated native viewer with headers, timing, raw body, and a JSON tree.
- Stores request and response history locally and makes it searchable across sessions.
- Supports file-level variables and .env environments for switching between dev, staging, and prod values.
- Offers a one-time purchase with a 15-day free trial and no metered requests.
Cons
- The current release is REST-only, so it is not the right fit for GraphQL, gRPC, or team collaboration needs yet.
- The product is limited to Windows in the current version.
- The site says native in-app import from Postman collections is on the v1.1 roadmap, not fully available now.
FAQ
What is Karve used for?
Karve is a native Windows app that opens and runs .http and .rest files directly. It is meant for developers who keep API requests in plain text files next to their code.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. The pricing page says Karve includes a 15-day free trial through the Microsoft Store before a one-time purchase.
How does pricing work?
Karve is a one-time purchase, with the Launch Summer Sale price listed at $29.99 until September 1, 2026. The page says the regular price is $39.99 after the sale ends.
What platforms does Karve support?
Karve is Windows-only in the current version. The site lists Windows 10/11 support and native x64 and ARM64 builds, and notes that the app is built with WinUI 3.
Can teams share workspaces inside Karve?
Karve is local-first: requests stay in your repo, responses and history are stored on your machine, and the site says it does not use cloud sync or team collaboration in v1.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Developer Tool
- Platform
- Windows 10/11
- File formats
- .http, .rest
- App type
- Native Windows app
- Pricing model
- One-time purchase with free trial
- Website
- karve.dev
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