What is graphql-tools?

skevy/graphql-tools — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-07-17 · repo last pushed 2018-10-26

★ 3TypeScriptAudience · developerComplexity · 3/5DormantSetup · moderate

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((graphql-tools))
    What it does
      Builds GraphQL schemas
      Pairs schema with resolvers
      Combines multiple schemas
    How it works
      Text schema definitions
      Resolver functions fetch data
      Schema stitching
    Use cases
      Node.js GraphQL backends
      Mock APIs before backend ready
      Unify multi-team APIs
    Audience
      Backend developers
      GraphQL API builders
      Node.js teams

mindmap root((graphql-tools)) What it does Builds GraphQL schemas Pairs schema with resolvers Combines multiple schemas How it works Text schema definitions Resolver functions fetch data Schema stitching Use cases Node.js GraphQL backends Mock APIs before backend ready Unify multi-team APIs Audience Backend developers GraphQL API builders Node.js teams

What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Define a GraphQL schema in readable text and pair it with resolver functions.

USE CASE 2

Mock GraphQL API data to test a frontend before the backend is finished.

USE CASE 3

Stitch multiple team schemas together into one unified API.

USE CASE 4

Build a Node.js GraphQL backend paired with a server like Apollo Server.

What is it built with?

TypeScriptGraphQLNode.jsApollo Server

How does it compare?

	skevy/graphql-tools	arpitbhalla/ts-backend	bmschmidt/pandoc-tools
Stars	3	3	3
Language	TypeScript	TypeScript	TypeScript
Last pushed	2018-10-26	2022-06-09	2023-04-30
Maintenance	Dormant	Dormant	Dormant
Setup difficulty	moderate	moderate	moderate
Complexity	3/5	3/5	3/5
Audience	developer	developer	developer

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · moderate Time to first run · 30min

Requires pairing with a server library like Apollo Server to expose the API over HTTP.

The explanation does not mention license terms.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1

Help me define a GraphQL schema for a 'Post' type with title, author, and votes using graphql-tools.

Prompt 2

Show me how to write resolver functions that connect my schema to a database.

Prompt 3

Explain how schema stitching works to combine two separate GraphQL schemas.

Prompt 4

Set up mock data for my GraphQL API so I can test it before the backend is ready.

Frequently asked questions