Velo Documentation
From zero to first request in under 60 seconds. Then everything else as you need it.
Getting Started
Install
- Download Velo-1.0.0.dmg (4 MB)
- Open the .dmg and drag Velo to
Applications - Open from Spotlight (⌘ Space) or Applications
No account, no signup, no setup wizard. Velo opens straight to a usable workspace.
Your first request
- Press ⌘N for a new request
- Type a URL (e.g.
httpbin.org/get—https://is added automatically) - Press ⌘Return to send
You'll see the response with status code, timing, headers, and body. Toggle JSON pretty/raw with the buttons in the response pane.
Save it for next time
- Press ⌘S to save
- Pick a collection (or create one with the New Collection button)
- Subsequent ⌘S saves in-place — no dialog
Environments and variables
Environments let you swap base URLs and credentials between Local, Staging, and Production without editing each request.
- Click the gear icon in the toolbar → Environment Editor
- Create an environment (e.g. Staging)
- Add variables:
base_url=https://staging.api.example.com - Use
{{base_url}}in any request URL or header - Switch environments from the toolbar dropdown
{{auth_token}} in a Bearer header swaps cleanly between environments without leaking real tokens into shared collections.Importing from Postman
- File → Import Postman Collection (⇧⌘I)
- Select your exported Postman Collection v2.1 JSON
- Velo imports requests, folders, headers, auth, body, and pre-request scripts
Postman environments import separately via File → Import Postman Environment. The variable mapping is one-to-one — your existing {{var}} syntax just works.
Importing from cURL
- Click Paste cURL on the welcome screen, or File → Import from cURL (⌥⌘I)
- Paste your cURL command
- Click Import
Method, URL, headers, auth, body, query params, and form data are all parsed. Multi-line cURL with \ continuations works.
Keyboard shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘N | New request |
| ⌘Return | Send request |
| ⌘S | Save |
| ⌘P | Quick open (search across all collections) |
| ⌘D | Duplicate request |
| ⌘W | Close current tab |
| ⌘T | New tab |
| ⌘0 | Toggle sidebar |
| ⌘, | Preferences |
| ⇧⌘I | Import Postman collection |
| ⌥⌘I | Import cURL |
| ⇧⌘C | Copy as cURL |
| Escape | Cancel in-flight request |
FAQ
Is Velo free?
Yes. Every feature, every protocol, no limits, no trial. See pricing for the long version.
Does Velo require an account?
No. Velo opens straight to a usable workspace. Your data is local.
Where is my data stored?
~/Library/Application Support/com.ataiva.velo/. You can open this folder from Preferences → Data → Open in Finder. The format is a directory of JSON files — version-control friendly.
Can I import my Postman data?
Yes. Postman Collection v2.1 and Postman environments both import. File → Import Postman Collection.
Does Velo support self-signed certificates?
Yes. Preferences → Network → Verify SSL Certificates → Off. Per-request override is also available via the URL bar’s lock icon.
Is there a Windows version?
Not yet. Velo is macOS-only and built specifically against AppKit/SwiftUI to stay native. A Windows version is on the long-term roadmap but not committed.
How do I back up my data?
Preferences → Data → Export All Data. Produces a single JSON file with all collections, environments, and history. Restore with Import Backup.
Does Velo work with HTTP/3?
HTTP/2 is supported. HTTP/3 (QUIC) is in beta — toggle it on under Preferences → Network → Experimental.
Can I script pre-request and test logic?
Pre-request scripts (Postman-compatible JavaScript subset) are supported. Full Postman test sandbox parity is in progress — basic pm.expect() assertions work today.