itsual GraphQL API Design
Overview
GraphQL gives clients flexibility but shifts complexity to the server. Good schema design, authorization, and performance controls are essential.
When to Use
- Designing new GraphQL APIs or schemas
- Reviewing resolver structure, N+1 risks, or authorization
- Evolving existing GraphQL contracts
Key Practices
- Design the schema around client use cases and domain concepts
- Use clear naming and consistent patterns for connections/pagination
- Protect against expensive queries (depth limiting, complexity analysis, timeouts)
- Handle errors with a consistent structure
- Apply authorization at the field/resolver level where needed
- Prefer explicit input types and avoid overly generic mutations
- Versioning is usually evolutionary — deprecate fields carefully
Common Pitfalls
- N+1 query problems in resolvers
- Over-fetching allowed by unbounded queries
- Weak authorization (assuming the client will only ask for allowed data)
- Giant “god” types or mutations
Verification
- Critical queries and mutations are efficient and authorized
- Schema changes follow a deprecation strategy
- Expensive query protection is in place