Curlie is a command-line HTTP client that combines the user-friendly interface of HTTPie with the full feature set of curl.
The tool solves the friction of choosing between curl's powerful but verbose syntax and HTTPie's intuitive but limited interface. Curlie acts as a frontend to curl, translating a simpler, HTTPie-inspired command syntax into curl operations while preserving access to all curl options. This means you can write requests using readable syntax like `curlie example.com name=value` while still having the ability to use any curl flag when needed. The tool provides pretty-printed JSON output by default in interactive mode and streams data without buffering, allowing real-time inspection of responses.
Curlie suits developers who regularly make HTTP requests from the terminal and want an approachable syntax without sacrificing capability. It is particularly useful if you prefer HTTPie's command structure but have encountered limitations that forced you back to curl. The project explicitly positions itself as a middle ground: unlike HTTPie, headers are written to stderr rather than stdout, output is not buffered for easier debugging of streamed responses, and you can use the `--curl` flag to inspect the exact curl command being executed. The tool is available across multiple package managers and platforms, making installation straightforward.
The project maintains a focused scope with regular updates addressing user-reported issues and feature requests. Development activity shows consistent attention to compatibility across platforms, with builds tested through goreleaser to ensure compilation succeeds on all supported systems. The maintainer responds to community feedback and incorporates improvements that enhance the tool's usability without expanding its core mission.
