xh is a command-line HTTP client that reimplements HTTPie's design with a focus on improved performance.
The tool addresses the need for a fast, user-friendly way to send HTTP requests from the terminal. It adopts HTTPie's request-item syntax for setting headers, query strings, request bodies, and other parameters, allowing developers familiar with HTTPie to transition easily. The syntax supports JSON and form field assignment, query string addition, file inclusion in multipart requests, header manipulation, and nested JSON object construction using JSON paths. URLs can omit the scheme portion, with a leading colon serving as shorthand for localhost connections.
xh suits developers who want HTTPie's ergonomic interface but prioritize performance. Anyone already using HTTPie will find the command syntax immediately familiar. The tool is available across multiple platforms through numerous package managers including Cargo, Homebrew, Apt, Pacman, and others, as well as through pre-built binaries. The README explicitly positions xh as a performance-focused reimplementation of HTTPie rather than introducing a different design philosophy.
The project shows consistent maintenance with regular updates to its codebase. Development activity demonstrates ongoing refinement of the tool's core functionality and cross-platform compatibility. The project maintains broad platform support through multiple distribution channels and continues to evolve its feature set in response to user needs.
