--- title: "What Is Postman? API Development Platform Guide - API7.ai" description: "Learn what Postman is and how API design, requests, collections, environments, mocks, testing, documentation, monitoring, and collaboration fit together." url: "https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/postman-api-development-environment" --- [Skip to article](#column-content) Column contentsAPI 101 [API 101](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101) Search this column 01 API Fundamentals [View this topic · 10](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101?topic=fundamentals)[1. Introduction to APIs: Definition and Importance](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/what-is-api)[2. RESTful API Best Practices: Architecture, Methods, and Examples](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/restful-api-best-practices)[3. SOAP vs REST: Differences, Examples, and When to Use Each](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/soap-vs-rest-differences)[4. GraphQL: A New Approach to APIs](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/what-is-graphql)[5. gRPC: High-Performance RPC Framework](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/what-is-grpc)[6. Webhooks: Real-Time Communication Between Applications](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/what-is-webhooks)[7. API Endpoints: Designing and Managing for Scalability and Security](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/what-are-api-endpoints)[8. HTTP Methods: GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE & More](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/http-methods-in-apis)[9. API Rate Limiting Best Practices and Algorithms](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-rate-limiting)[10. API Versioning Strategies and Best Practices](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-versioning) 02 API Development and Design [View this topic · 10](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101?topic=design)[11. How to Build an API: From Design to Deployment](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/build-your-first-api)[12. API Documentation: Tools and Techniques](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-documentation-tools-and-techniques)[13. OpenAPI Specification Guide: OAS, Examples, and Best Practices](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/openapi-specification)[14. API Mocking: Testing Without a Backend](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-mocking)[15. API Error Handling: Status Codes, Error Responses, and Best Practices](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/error-handling-apis)[16. Authentication and Authorization in APIs](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/authentication-authorization-apis)[17. OAuth 2.0: Secure API Access](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/oauth-2.0-secure-api-access)[18. API Gateways: Managing and Securing Traffic](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-gateways-managing-securing-traffic)[19. Microservices and APIs: Designing Modular Applications](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/microservices-apis-modular-application-design)[20. API Orchestration: Combining Multiple Services](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-orchestration-combining-services) 03 API Security [View this topic · 10](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101?topic=security)[21. How to Avoid Common Vulnerabilities](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/how-to-avoid-common-api-vulnerabilities)[22. Implementing JWT for API Security](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/implementing-jwt-for-api-security)[23. Rate Limiting and Throttling: Protecting Your API](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/rate-limiting-and-throttling)[24. API Security Testing Tools and Techniques for Modern APIs](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-security-testing-tools-and-techiniques)[25. CORS in APIs: Handling Cross-Origin Requests](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/understanding-cors-in-apis)[26. Data Encryption in API Communication](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/data-encryption-in-api-communication)[27. API Security Best Practices: Protecting Your Digital Front Door](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-security-best-practices)[28. API Tokens Explained: Usage, Security, and Best Practices](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-tokens-and-their-usage)[29. Securing APIs in Serverless Architectures](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/secure-apis-in-serverless-architectures)[30. API Security in the Age of IoT](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-security-in-the-age-of-iot) 04 API Integration [View this topic · 10](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101?topic=integration)[31. Integrating Third-Party APIs into Your Application](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/integrate-third-party-apis)[32. API Aggregation: Combining Multiple APIs](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-aggregation-combining-multiple-apis)[33. Real-Time Data with Streaming API](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/real-time-data-with-streaming-apis)[34. Handling API Pagination: Fetching Large Data Sets](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/handling-api-pagination)[35. Error Handling When Consuming APIs](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/error-handling-when-consuming-apis)[36. API Integration Testing: Ensuring Reliability](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-integration-testing-ensuring-reliability)[37. Working with Rate Limits in Third-Party APIs](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/working-with-rate-limits-in-third-party-apis)[38. Automating Workflows with APIs](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/automating-workflows-with-apis)[39. API Integration in Mobile Applications](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-integration-in-mobile-applications)[40. How to Overcome API Integration Challenges](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/how-to-overcome-api-integration-challenges) 05 API Management [View this topic · 10](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101?topic=management)[41. API Lifecycle Management: From Development to Retirement](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-lifecycle-management)[42. Monitoring API Performance: Tools and Metrics](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-performance-monitoring)[43. API Analytics: Understanding Usage Patterns](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-analytics-guide)[44. Monetizing Your API: Strategies and Models](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-monetization-strategies-models)[45. Scaling APIs: Best Practices for High Traffic](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/scaling-api-high-traffic-best-practices)[46. API Governance Policies and Standards Guide](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-governance-policies-standards-guide)[47. API Developer Portal Guide: Features, Onboarding, and Engagement](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/developer-portal-guide-engaging-api-users)[48. Rate Limiting Strategies for API Management](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/rate-limiting-strategies-for-api-management)[49. API Breaking Changes: Deprecation and Migration Guide](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-versioning-managing-changes-over-time)[50. Choosing the Right API Management Platform](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/choosing-the-right-api-management-platform) 06 Emerging API Practices [View this topic · 10](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101?topic=trends)[51. Serverless APIs: Building Scalable Applications](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/serverless-apis)[52. API-First Development: From Contract to Production](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-first-development)[53. Hypermedia APIs: HATEOAS and Its Applications](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/hypermedia-apis)[54. The Role of AI in API Development](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/ai-in-api-development)[55. APIs in IoT: Connecting Devices](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/apis-in-iot)[56. REST and GraphQL APIs: Architecture, Caching, and Gateways](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/graphql-vs-rest)[57. The Rise of API Marketplaces](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/rise-of-api-marketplaces)[58. Event-Driven APIs: Designing for Real-Time](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/event-driven-api-design-real-time)[59. Low-Code/No-Code API Development](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/low-code-no-code-api-development-guide)[60. API Development Trends: The Future of APIs for Modern Teams](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/future-and-trends-of-apis) 07 Industry API Applications [View this topic · 10](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101?topic=industries)[61. Payment Gateway APIs: Integrating Stripe and PayPal](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/stripe-vs-paypal-api-integration-guide)[62. Social Media APIs: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/social-media-apis)[63. Maps & Geolocation APIs: Google Maps, Mapbox, and OSM](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/mapping-and-geolocation-apis)[64. E-commerce APIs: Building Modern Online Stores](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/e-commerce-apis)[65. Healthcare APIs: Connecting Medical Data](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/healthcare-apis)[66. Financial APIs: Accessing Banking Services](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/financial-apis)[67. Travel and Booking APIs: Integrating Flight and Hotel Data](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/travel-and-booking-apis)[68. Music and Video Streaming APIs: Spotify and YouTube](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/music-and-video-streaming-apis)[69. Weather APIs: Accessing Meteorological Data](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/weather-apis)[70. Sports Data APIs: Features, Use Cases, and Integration Tips](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/sports-data-apis) 08 Tools and Platforms [View this topic · 10](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101?topic=tools)[71. What Is Postman? API Development Platform Guide](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/postman-api-development-environment)[72. Swagger: Designing and Documenting APIs](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/swagger-designing-and-documenting-apis)[73. Insomnia API Client: Debug, Test, and Design APIs](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/insomnia-rest-client-for-debugging)[74. What Is Apigee? API Management Features and Architecture](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/apigee-api-management-platform)[75. Building Serverless APIs with AWS API Gateway](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/aws-api-gateway-building-serverless-apis)[76. Apache APISIX: Open-Source API Gateway and Enterprise Support](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/apache-apisix-open-source-api-gateway)[77. MuleSoft: Connecting Applications and Data](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/mulesoft-connecting-applications-and-data)[78. RapidAPI Guide: Discovering, Testing, and Connecting to APIs](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/rapidapi-discovering-and-connecting-to-apis)[79. Firebase: Backend as a Service](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/firebase-backend-as-a-service)[80. Auth0: Complete Authentication and Authorization Platform](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/auth0-authentication-authorization-platform) 09 API Testing [View this topic · 10](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101?topic=testing)[81. Automated API Testing: Tools and Techniques](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/automated-api-testing-tools-and-techniques)[82. Load Testing Your API: Ensuring Performance at Scale](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/load-testing-your-api-ensuring-performance)[83. Mocking APIs for Testing: Accelerating Development and Improving Quality](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/mocking-apis-for-testing-purposes)[84. Contract Testing in API Development: Ensuring Reliable Integration](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/contract-testing-in-api-development)[85. Postman API Testing Automation: Newman, CLI, and CI/CD](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/using-postman-for-api-testing)[86. Continuous Integration and API Testing](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/continuous-integration-and-api-testing)[87. Security Testing for APIs: Protecting Your API from Vulnerabilities](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/security-testing-for-apis)[88. Handling API Deprecations in Testing: Strategies for Smooth Transitions](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/handling-api-deprecations-in-testing)[89. Testing GraphQL APIs: Challenges and Solutions](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/testing-graphql-apis-challenges-and-solutions)[90. API Test Automation Frameworks: A Comparative Study](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-test-automation-frameworks-comparative-study) 10 Documentation and Developer Experience [View this topic · 10](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101?topic=documentation)[91. Writing Clear and Concise API Documentation](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/writing-clear-and-concise-api-documentation)[92. Tools for Generating API Documentation](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/tools-for-generating-api-documentation)[93. Interactive API Documentation for Developer Experience](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/interactive-api-documentation)[94. Maintaining Documentation for Multiple API Versions](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/maintaining-documentation-for-multiple-api-versions)[95. Using OpenAPI for API Documentation](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/using-openapi-for-api-documentation)[96. Best Practices for Documenting API Error Responses](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/best-practices-for-documenting-api-error-responses)[97. Incorporating Code Samples in API Documentation](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/incorporating-code-samples-in-api-documentation)[98. API Documentation for Non-Developers](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-documentation-for-non-developers)[99. Translating API Documentation for Global Audiences](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/translating-api-documentation-for-global-audiences)[100. How to Measure API Documentation Effectiveness](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/measuring-api-documentation-effectiveness) [API 101](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101)[Tools and Platforms](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101?topic=tools) On this page On this page - [What Is Postman Used For?](#what-is-postman-used-for) - [Send Your First API Request](#send-your-first-api-request) - [Organize Requests with Collections](#organize-requests-with-collections) - [Manage Deployments with Environments and Variables](#manage-deployments-with-environments-and-variables) - [Add Logic and Tests with Scripts](#add-logic-and-tests-with-scripts) - [Use Mock Servers for Parallel Development](#use-mock-servers-for-parallel-development) - [Use Postman with an API Gateway](#use-postman-with-an-api-gateway) - [Postman vs curl](#postman-vs-curl) - [Postman Workflow Best Practices](#postman-workflow-best-practices) - [FAQ](#faq) - [Is Postman only an API testing tool?](#is-postman-only-an-api-testing-tool) - [What is a Postman Collection?](#what-is-a-postman-collection) - [Can Postman test an API gateway?](#can-postman-test-an-api-gateway) - [How do I automate Postman API tests?](#how-do-i-automate-postman-api-tests) - [Related Guides](#related-guides) Article 71 # What Is Postman? API Development Platform Guide API7.ai December 22, 2025 Postman is an API development platform for designing API specifications, sending requests, organizing reusable collections, managing variables, creating mock servers, writing tests, generating documentation, running monitors, and sharing API workflows. Developers often start with Postman as a graphical HTTP client, then connect these assets across design, development, documentation, collaboration, and repeatable validation. This guide explains the platform and where its major capabilities fit, with an emphasis on request-development workflows. For a hands-on workflow focused specifically on assertions, collection runs, command-line execution, and CI pipelines, use the dedicated [Postman API testing automation guide](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/using-postman-for-api-testing). | Capability | What it does | Typical use | | ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | | Requests | Sends HTTP, GraphQL, gRPC, and other supported requests | Explore or debug an endpoint | | Collections | Groups saved requests, examples, variables, and scripts | Share a reusable API workflow | | Environments | Stores values for development, staging, or production | Switch targets without editing every request | | Scripts | Runs logic before a request or after a response | Build dynamic requests and assertions | | Mock servers | Returns responses based on saved examples | Develop clients before the backend is ready | | Workspaces | Organizes shared API assets | Collaborate across development and QA teams | | API design | Creates or imports API specifications and connects them to collections | Define and validate an API contract | | Documentation | Generates documentation from collections and API specifications | Maintain and optionally publish API usage guidance | | Monitors | Runs collections and tests on a schedule or by CLI trigger | Check API health and critical workflows over time | ## What Is Postman Used For? Postman provides one workspace for several related API tasks: 1. **Explore an API:** Send a request, inspect headers and bodies, and troubleshoot authentication or payload problems. 2. **Save repeatable workflows:** Store related requests in collections instead of rebuilding them for each test session. 3. **Manage configuration:** Use variables and environments for base URLs, identifiers, tokens, and other values that change between deployments. 4. **Document examples:** Save request and response examples with the collection so teammates can understand expected behavior. 5. **Test behavior:** Add pre-request and post-response scripts, then run the collection manually or from an automation tool. 6. **Mock unfinished endpoints:** Return saved examples from a mock server while client and backend work proceed in parallel. 7. **Design an API contract:** Create or import a specification, validate its syntax, and connect it to collections and tests. 8. **Generate and publish documentation:** Build documentation from collections or API specifications, add explanatory context, and publish it when appropriate. 9. **Monitor API workflows:** Run selected collections and tests on a schedule or by CLI trigger to track health, failures, and response times. The official Postman documentation is the source of truth for currently supported protocols, plan limits, and product behavior. See its guidance for [API specifications](https://learning.postman.com/docs/design-apis/specifications/overview), [API documentation](https://learning.postman.com/docs/publishing-your-api/postman-documentation-overview), and [monitors](https://learning.postman.com/docs/monitoring-your-api/intro-monitors) for those platform areas. ## Send Your First API Request A Postman request combines the same elements used by any HTTP client: - an HTTP method such as `GET`, `POST`, `PUT`, `PATCH`, or `DELETE`; - a URL and optional query parameters; - request headers, including authentication and content type; - an optional request body; - scripts that run before the request or after the response. For example, a request to retrieve a user could use: ``` GET {{baseUrl}}/users/{{userId}} Authorization: Bearer {{accessToken}} ``` The variables keep deployment-specific values out of the saved request. After the server responds, Postman displays the status, headers, body, cookies, and timing information for inspection. If you are learning the underlying protocol concepts, see [HTTP methods in APIs](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/http-methods-in-apis) and [RESTful API best practices](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/restful-api-best-practices). ## Organize Requests with Collections A collection is a reusable group of requests and related configuration. Teams commonly organize collections by API, service, or user workflow. ``` Store API ├── Authentication │ └── POST /login ├── Products │ ├── GET /products │ └── GET /products/:id └── Orders ├── POST /orders └── GET /orders/:id ``` Collections can contain folders, descriptions, variables, examples, and scripts. That makes them useful as both a working request library and an executable record of how an API is expected to behave. Keep a collection focused on one bounded domain. A smaller collection is easier to review, run, and maintain than a single workspace containing unrelated endpoints. ## Manage Deployments with Environments and Variables An environment stores values that belong to one deployment context: | Variable | Development | Staging | | ------------- | ----------------------------- | --------------------------------- | | `baseUrl` | `https://dev-api.example.com` | `https://staging-api.example.com` | | `tenantId` | `dev-tenant` | `staging-tenant` | | `accessToken` | Local value | Staging value | Requests reference a variable with double curly braces, such as `{{baseUrl}}/orders`. Switching the active environment changes the resolved value without changing the request definition. Do not commit real credentials in exported collections or environment files. Use Postman Vault or secure variables in Postman, and inject secrets from the CI secret store at runtime. ## Add Logic and Tests with Scripts Postman supports scripts that run before a request and after a response. Pre-request scripts can create dynamic values or prepare authentication. Post-response scripts can assert the status, inspect response data, and store values for later requests. ``` pm.test("Returns a successful response", () => { pm.response.to.have.status(200); }); pm.test("Returns a user identifier", () => { const body = pm.response.json(); pm.expect(body).to.have.property("id"); }); ``` According to the [Postman scripting documentation](https://learning.postman.com/docs/tests-and-scripts/write-scripts/intro-to-scripts/), these scripts use the Postman Sandbox and can be attached at collection, folder, or request level. Use collection-level scripts for behavior that truly applies to every child request; keep endpoint-specific assertions with the request they validate. Testing is only one part of the Postman platform. The [Postman API testing automation guide](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/using-postman-for-api-testing) covers test-suite structure, data-driven runs, Postman CLI, Newman compatibility, and CI failure handling in detail. ## Use Mock Servers for Parallel Development A mock server returns responses based on examples saved with a collection. It can help when a client team needs to integrate before the production backend exists. A typical workflow is: 1. Agree on the request and response contract. 2. Save representative examples with the collection. 3. Create a mock server from those examples. 4. Point the client at the mock URL during development. 5. Switch the environment's `baseUrl` to the real service when it is available. Mocks validate a client against agreed examples; they do not prove that the real backend implements the contract. Add contract and integration tests before release. ## Use Postman with an API Gateway Postman acts as a client, while an [API gateway](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-gateway-guide/what-is-an-api-gateway) enforces runtime policies between clients and backend services. A team can use Postman to verify observable gateway behavior such as: - an unauthenticated request returns the expected authentication error; - a routed request reaches the intended API version or upstream; - a transformed request or response matches the published contract; - a request over the configured rate limit receives the expected response. The test must match the gateway's actual configuration. Do not assume a specific status code, response header, or retry behavior without checking the policy in use. ## Postman vs curl Postman and curl can send many of the same requests, but their working models differ. | Need | Postman | curl | | -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------ | | Interactive request editing | Graphical interface | Command line | | Reusable groups of requests | Collections | Shell scripts or files | | Deployment-specific values | Environments and variables | Environment variables or flags | | Shared examples and descriptions | Built into collections and workspaces | Maintained separately | | Lightweight one-off request | More setup | Often the simpler choice | Use curl when a compact command is enough. Use Postman when the request belongs to a shared, repeatable API workflow. ## Postman Workflow Best Practices 1. **Organize collections by API domain or workflow.** Avoid one oversized collection for unrelated services. 2. **Keep base URLs and deployment values in environments.** Do not duplicate requests for development and staging. 3. **Keep secrets out of exported files.** Inject them at runtime or use protected secret storage. 4. **Write descriptions and save representative examples.** Make the collection understandable without tribal knowledge. 5. **Place scripts at the narrowest useful scope.** A global script is harder to reason about than a request-level assertion. 6. **Review generated or imported requests.** Importing an [OpenAPI description](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/openapi-specification) creates a starting point, not a complete test strategy. 7. **Separate exploration from release gates.** A request that works once in the GUI is not yet a deterministic CI test. ## FAQ ### Is Postman only an API testing tool? No. Testing is one capability. Postman also supports request exploration, collections, variables, examples, mock servers, documentation workflows, and team collaboration. ### What is a Postman Collection? A collection is a group of saved requests with optional folders, descriptions, examples, variables, and scripts. It can serve as a reusable workflow or a test suite, depending on how it is structured. ### Can Postman test an API gateway? Yes. Send requests through the gateway and assert externally visible behavior. Keep those assertions aligned with the configured authentication, routing, transformation, and traffic policies. ### How do I automate Postman API tests? Turn repeatable requests into a collection, add deterministic post-response assertions, separate configuration from secrets, and run the collection with the Postman CLI or a compatible Newman workflow. Follow the [Postman API testing automation guide](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/using-postman-for-api-testing) for the complete process. ## Related Guides - [Postman API Testing Automation](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/using-postman-for-api-testing) - [OpenAPI Specification](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/openapi-specification) - [RESTful API Best Practices](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/restful-api-best-practices) - [API Security Testing Tools](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/api-security-testing-tools-and-techiniques) - [Postman vs Katalon](https://api7.ai/blog/comparing-api-testing-tools-postman-vs-katalon) [Previous topic · Industry API Applications**Sports Data APIs: Features, Use Cases, and Integration Tips**](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/sports-data-apis)[Next article**Swagger: Designing and Documenting APIs**](https://api7.ai/learning-center/api-101/swagger-designing-and-documenting-apis) On this page - [What Is Postman Used For?](#what-is-postman-used-for) - [Send Your First API Request](#send-your-first-api-request) - [Organize Requests with Collections](#organize-requests-with-collections) - [Manage Deployments with Environments and Variables](#manage-deployments-with-environments-and-variables) - [Add Logic and Tests with Scripts](#add-logic-and-tests-with-scripts) - [Use Mock Servers for Parallel Development](#use-mock-servers-for-parallel-development) - [Use Postman with an API Gateway](#use-postman-with-an-api-gateway) - [Postman vs curl](#postman-vs-curl) - [Postman Workflow Best Practices](#postman-workflow-best-practices) - [FAQ](#faq) - [Is Postman only an API testing tool?](#is-postman-only-an-api-testing-tool) - [What is a Postman Collection?](#what-is-a-postman-collection) - [Can Postman test an API gateway?](#can-postman-test-an-api-gateway) - [How do I automate Postman API tests?](#how-do-i-automate-postman-api-tests) - [Related Guides](#related-guides)