API Management with Bruno

API Management with Bruno

Postman’s Super-Alternative to Build, Test and Deploy APIs in Multi-Cloud Environment

Lyria Tharax

Preface

If you're an API practitioner, this book will show you how to use Bruno to its maximum capacity for managing your API lifecycle. Bruno is a new alternative to Postman and Insomnia; this practical book will teach you how to use it for API design, development, testing, deployment, and oversight. The book is less concerned with helping you become an API Management expert than it is with showing you how to make the most of Bruno's features so that you can efficiently complete tasks in the real world.

The chapters cover topics such as creating a safe and scalable development environment, using the Bruno command line interface (CLI), and creating API blueprints with Bru Lang that are easy to understand and maintain. You'll learn how to embed business logic, manage data transformations, and implement robust error handling to build dynamic endpoints that respond to real-time events. In an effort to protect sensitive information, practical implementations of OAuth 2.0 authorization, JWT authentication, and effective secret management are implemented. Your API's reliability and scalability under different conditions can be further assured with automated testing and live debugging sessions.

You can automate mundane tasks and expand your API's functionality with the help of the advanced integrations covered in this book. These integrations allow you to connect to popular platforms like AWS, Jira, GitHub, and Jenkins. Additionally, you will become an expert at configuring and executing webhooks and event-driven actions, which are crucial for keeping your API in sync with external systems. As a result of the practical examples and scripts provided in each chapter, this book is a must-have for anyone working on APIs in the modern day.

In this book you will learn to:

Use Bruno CLI via npm for simplified installation and guarantees an up-to-date API management toolkit.

Create clear API blueprints for designing and building robust endpoints.

Integrate JWT authentication for secure API access while supporting scalable, stateless user management practices.

Integrate OAuth 2.0 for fine-grained authorization, and to control access to sensitive API resources.

Implement secrets management via environment variables to protect credentials and maintains secure configuration.

Implement automated test suites to validate API functionality across all endpoints.

Carry out real-time debugging and logging of API interactions during live operations.

Write custom automation scripts to streamline testing, deployment, and data management across API workflows.

Integrate with third-party services like Jira, GitHub, Jenkins, and AWS.

Work around webhooks and event-driven actions to respond real-time events.

Prologue

Postman once reigned supreme in the world of API development. Its user-friendly interface and extensive feature set made it a popular tool among developers worldwide. For many, it provided a familiar environment for developing, testing, and managing APIs. However, as our projects became more complex and the need for efficiency grew, I found myself wanting for a tool that provided a lighter, more agile approach. Because of this need, I looked into Bruno, a new option that rethinks API management. Bruno eliminated unnecessary complexity, resulting in an experience centered on speed, simplicity, and powerful command-line integration. This book grew out of my own experience transitioning from traditional API development tools to an environment that encourages creativity and efficiency.

With this updated edition, I hope you'll come along for a ride that will change the way you think about API management and design forever. By interacting with the scenarios presented here, you will be able to better understand the difficulties we encounter on a daily basis. I wrote this book to demonstrate how to use Bruno's capabilities to design, build, test, deploy, and manage every stage of the API lifecycle. You'll see how simple commands and well-thought-out scripts can replace repetitive manual tasks, freeing you up to focus on what really matters: problem solving and value creation. I'll walk you through creating a modern development environment, writing clear and maintainable API blueprints, and embedding business logic to bring your endpoints to life. You will also learn how to secure your API using token-based authentication and granular authorization. The book continues with automated testing, debugging, and integration with third-party services, which ensures that your APIs are not only functional but also resilient and scalable.

This edition features practical, step-by-step exercises that I personally tested in my development environment. It provides a distinct combination of hands-on examples, live debugging sessions, and custom automation scripts that turn abstract concepts into practical skills. Throughout this book, I'll be sharing my own experiences, challenges, and insights to help you make the transition from familiar tools like Postman and Insomnia to the dynamic, efficient world of Bruno.

Copyright © 2025 by GitforGits

All rights reserved. This book is protected under copyright laws and no part of it may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or transmission of this work may result in civil and criminal penalties and will be dealt with in the respective jurisdiction at anywhere in India, in accordance with the applicable copyright laws.

Published by: GitforGits

Publisher: Sonal Dhandre

www.gitforgits.com

[email protected]

Printed in India

First Printing: January 2025

Cover Design by: Kitten Publishing

For permission to use material from this book, please contact GitforGits at [email protected].

Content

Preface

GitforGits

Acknowledgement

Chapter 1: Getting Started with Bruno

Overview

Bruno’s Capabilities for API Lifecycle

Design First Approach

Intuitive Blueprint Creation

Validation and Consistency Checks

Clear Command Structure for Design

Flexible, Lightweight and Easy Integration

Lightweight and Powerful Development Environment

Bru Lang for Expressive Coding

Seamless Integration of Business Logic

Error Handling and Data Transformation

Real-time, Scalable and Robust Management

Streamlined API Lifecycle Management

Integrated Automation and CI/CD Support

Real-Time Debugging and Monitoring

Scalable and Flexible Management

End-to-End API Lifecycle Fulfillment

A Unified Workflow from Design to Deployment

Efficiency Through Integrated Tooling

Flexibility and Agility in API Development

Installing Bruno CLI and Configuring Bru Lang

Bruno CLI via npm

Verify Node.js and npm Installation

Install Bruno CLI Globally

Configuring Bru Lang

Bruno’s Interface and Command Structure

Navigating Bruno CLI

Exploring Command Syntax

Built-In Commands

bruno init

bruno run

bruno config

bruno status

bruno logs

Sample Program: Command Structure in Action

Project Initialization

Running Sample Script

Viewing Project Status

Exploring Configuration

Summary

Chapter 2: Structuring API Project

Overview

Mapping API Structure

Modeling Endpoints

Establishing Endpoint Conventions

Sample Endpoint

Designing Request Payloads

Designing Response Structures

Defining Output Formats

Integrating Error Handling into Responses

Defining Endpoints and Data Schema

Process of Defining Endpoints

Constructing Data Schemas

Sample Program: Defining Endpoints and Data Schemas

Defining Create User Endpoint

Defining Retrieve User Details Endpoint

Additional Endpoints

Constructing Data Schemas in Detail

Detailed Schema Definition for User Resource

Integrating Schema Validation

Using Schema Definitions across Endpoints

Request and Response Structures

Modeling Complex Request Structures

Handling Nested Objects

Incorporating Optional Fields and Conditional Data

Representing Arrays in Requests

Modeling Complex Response Structures

Designing Rich Response Objects

Handling Pagination and Metadata

Standardizing Error Responses

Implementing Complex Structures

Summary

Chapter 3: Designing API Project

Overview

Establishing API Specifications

Functional Requirements

Non-Functional Requirements

Data Contracts and Schema Definitions

Documenting Interaction Patterns

Registration and Authentication Flow

Data Retrieval and Update Patterns

Creating Detailed API Blueprints

Drafting Endpoints Using Bruno’s Syntax

User Registration Blueprint

User Retrieval Blueprint

User Update Blueprint

User Deletion Blueprint

Data Flow and Interaction Patterns

API Design Version Control

Version Control with Git

Repository Initialization

Structured Commit Messages

Branching Strategy

Managing Schema Changes and API Versioning

Schema Versioning

Tracking Changes with Git

Sample Program: Version Control Workflow

Branch Creation

Schema Update

Commit Changes

Code Review and Merge

Release Tagging

Documenting Lumina API Specifications

Collaborative Documentation Techniques

Using Version-Controlled Documentation Files

Integrating Documentation Tools

Implementing Documentation in Bruno

Summary

Chapter 4: Building API with Bru Lang

Overview

Configuring API Coding Environment

Setting up IDE and Editor

Configuring Environment Variables

Creating the Project Directory and Version Control

Integrating Testing Tools

Automating Setup Process

Sample Program: Implementing Core Endpoints

Creating User Registration Endpoint

Retrieving User Details

Updating User Information

Deleting User

Embedding Business Logic into API Endpoints

Business Logic Techniques

Inline Business Logic

External Service Integration

Strategy Selection Guidance

Managing Data Transformations and Error Handling

Data Transformations Techniques

Coping with Error Handling

Common Errors

Robust Error Handling Methods

Sample Program: Error Handling during Data Transformation

Summary

Chapter 5: Testing API Functionalities

Overview

Developing Automated Test Suites

Testing Tools and Frameworks

Creating Basic Test Suite

Testing User Registration Endpoint

Testing User Retrieval Endpoint

Using Mocha

Handling Errors in Test Suites

Integrating Automated Tests into Workflow

End to End API Testing

Using Installed Tools

Sample Program: End-to-End Testing

Testing User Registration

Testing User Retrieval

Testing Error Conditions

Integrating Tests into Workflow

Simulating API Interactions

Identifying Potential Disruptive Conditions

Simulating High Concurrency

Simulating Network Latency and Timeouts

Simulating Malformed/Incomplete Requests

Simulating Unauthorized Access

Simulating Rapid Sequential Requests

Test Results and Error Debugging

Issue 1: Registration Endpoint Returning 200 Instead 201

Issue 2: Date of Birth Validation Failure

Documenting Debugging Process

Summary

Chapter 6: Implementing Security

Overview

Configuring Authentication Mechanisms

Authentication Methods Overview

Basic Authentication

API Key Authentication

JSON Web Token (JWT) Authentication

OAuth 2.0

Setting up JWT Authentication

Define JWT Configuration

Implementing Authentication Endpoint

Protecting Endpoints with JWT

Testing Authentication Flow

Authorization Protocols for API Endpoints

Defining Authorization Scopes

Setting up OAuth Configuration

Creating Token Issuance Endpoint

Enforcing Authorization in Protected Endpoints

Secrets Management

Secure Storage Techniques

Environment Variables

Secrets Files and Vaults

Integrating Secrets

Loading Environment Variables

Securing API Keys and Credentials

Sample Program: Secrets Management in Practice

Integrating Security Testing

Opportunities of Vulnerabilities

Incorporating Simple Security Tests

Test 1: SQL Injection Simulation

Test 2: Unauthorized Access Check

Test 3: Input Validation Robustness

Integrating Security Tests into the Workflow

Summary

Chapter 7: Debugging and Optimizing APIs

Overview

Live Analysis of API Interactions

Scenario 1: Live Debugging User Registration

Run Registration Test with Debugging Enabled

Set Breakpoint for Registration Logic

Scenario 2: Debugging User Retrieval and Token Verification

Create Retrieval Test Script

Insert Debugging Commands

Scenario 3: High Concurrency Analysis with Debug Logging

Create High Concurrency Test Script

Analyze Live Logs for Performance Metrics

Tracing API Requests and Responses

Implementing Tracing

Sample Program: Tracing User Retrieval

Implementing Logging

Configuring Logging

Integrating Logging in API Endpoints

Logging in User Registration

Logging in Protected Endpoints

Performance Tracking via Logs

Customizing Log Outputs

Summary

Chapter 8: Automating API Tasks

Overview

Automating Routine API Operations

Automating Operations with Bruno CLI

Automating Project Initialization

Automating Test Suite Execution

Automating Deployment Operations

Automating Configuration Updates

Sample Program: Automating Multiple Operations

Scheduling and Continuous Integration

Writing Custom Automation Scripts

Script for Automated Testing

Script for Automated Deployment

Script for Data Management

Exporting API Collections to Bruno

API Collections in Postman and Insomnia

Migrating Postman Collections

Export Collection from Postman

Import Collection into Bruno

Verify Imported Collection

Migrating Insomnia Collections

Export Collection from Insomnia

Import Collection into Bruno

Verify and Adjust

Automating Migration Process

Summary

Chapter 9: Advanced Integration and Services

Overview

Connecting to External Data Sources

Integrations with Jira, GitHub, Jenkins and AWS

Integrating with Jira

Integrating with GitHub

Integrating with Jenkins

Integrating with AWS

Then as usual, write a script named upload_to_s3.bru:

Implementing Webhooks and Event-Driven Actions

Configuring Webhooks

Define Webhook Endpoints

Register Webhook URLs

Triggering Event-Driven Actions

Define Event Sources and Triggers

Integrate Event Triggers into Endpoint Logic

Simulating External Event Responses

Testing Webhook and Event-Driven Actions

Testing and Validating Third-Party Integrations

Testing Jira Integration

Testing GitHub Integration

Testing Jenkins Integration

Testing AWS Integration

Validating Webhooks and Event-Driven Actions

Automated Testing of Third-Party Integrations

Summary

Index

Epilogue

GitforGits

Prerequisites

This book is intended to empower Postman Users and all API practitioners to fully utilize Bruno's capabilities in managing all aspects of the API lifecycle. All you need to know is basic understanding of API and its lifecycle to begin with this book.

Codes Usage

Are you in need of some helpful code examples to assist you in your programming and documentation? Look no further! Our book offers a wealth of supplemental material, including code examples and exercises.

Not only is this book here to aid you in getting your job done, but you have our permission to use the example code in your programs and documentation. However, please note that if you are reproducing a significant portion of the code, we do require you to contact us for permission.

But don't worry, using several chunks of code from this book in your program or answering a question by citing our book and quoting example code does not require permission. But if you do choose to give credit, an attribution typically includes the title, author, publisher, and ISBN. For example, API Management with Bruno by Lyria Tharax.

If you are unsure whether your intended use of the code examples falls under fair use or the permissions outlined above, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. 

We are happy to assist and clarify any concerns.

Chapter 1: Getting Started with Bruno

Overview

Bruno enters the stage at a time when established tools like Postman have earned