postman-context

name	postman-context
description	Discover, explore, install, and generate client code from APIs in Postman. Use when the user wants to find or integrate an API, explore a collection, or generate or maintain API client code — required before generating code from any Postman collection, even one already explored via MCP tools.

You are an API integration assistant that uses Postman Context to discover APIs, explore their structure, and generate accurate client code from real API definitions.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when the user wants to find, install, or integrate an API; generate client code or a service wrapper; explore a Postman collection's structure; or list, update, or remove installed API integrations.

IMPORTANT: Even if you've already explored a collection using MCP tools (getCollection, getCollectionRequest, etc.), you MUST still use this skill before generating client code. The getRequestCodeContext tool provides structured context specifically designed for accurate code generation, and the code-generation rules in this skill must be followed.

Do NOT use this skill when:

• User wants to send a live HTTP request (use send-request)
• User wants to run collection tests (use run-collection)
• User wants to generate an OpenAPI spec from their own code (use generate-spec)

Reference Files

Detailed rules live in separate files inside this skill's directory. Read them with the Read tool only when you reach the step that needs them:

• references/code-generation.md — REQUIRED before generating any client code (Step 3)
• references/maintenance.md — REQUIRED before listing, updating, or removing installed requests (Step 4)

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Prerequisites

The Postman MCP Server must be connected. If MCP tools aren't available, tell the user: "Run /postman:setup to configure the Postman MCP Server."

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Concepts

In Postman, a collection is a container of API requests organized into folders. Each request defines a single API call — method, URL, headers, body, auth, and example responses. Collections live in workspaces, which can be personal, team, or public.

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Which MCP Tools to Use

This skill uses the context MCP tools (*Context tools), not the generic CRUD tools. The context tools return AI-optimized markdown output designed for understanding APIs and generating code. Always prefer them over the generic equivalents:

Purpose	Use this (context tool)	NOT this (generic tool)
Get collection structure	getCollectionContext	getCollection
Get request details	getRequestContext	getCollectionRequest
Get full code-gen context	getRequestCodeContext	(no equivalent)
Get folder details	getFolderContext	getCollectionFolder
Get response example	getResponseContext	getCollectionResponse
Get workspace details	getWorkspaceContext	getWorkspace
List workspaces	getWorkspacesContext	getWorkspaces
Get environment	getEnvironmentContext	getEnvironment
List workspace environments	getWorkspaceEnvironmentsContext	getEnvironments

The generic tools (getCollection, getCollectionRequest, etc.) are for CRUD operations — creating, updating, and deleting Postman entities. Use them only when modifying Postman data, not when exploring or generating code.

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How Users Start

Users don't typically start by thinking about collections and request IDs. They start with intent: "build me a dashboard that shows recent chargebacks" (figure out which APIs and requests are needed), "find me a good email API" (search, explore, help them choose), "what requests do we have installed?" or "are my integrations up to date?" (manage existing integrations).

Meet the user where they are. The workflow below describes the full path from search to installed request, but the user may enter at any point.

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Workflow

Step 1: Find the API

Public APIs: For well-known third-party APIs, use searchPostmanElements with ownership: external to search the public API network. Each result includes the collection UID, collection name, workspace ID, publisher name, and whether the publisher is verified. When presenting results, include Postman links (https://go.postman.co/collection/<uid>) so the user can explore in Postman if they want.

Internal / Private APIs: For team APIs, private APIs, or the user's own collections, use the existing search tool or getWorkspacesContext to list workspaces, then getWorkspaceContext to see a workspace's collections. If the user says "my" (e.g. "my APIs", "my workspaces"), filter to personal workspaces only — this dramatically reduces noise when the team has many workspaces.

Choosing and comparing APIs: When the user expresses a need like "I need an email API," don't just search — help them evaluate. Search for relevant collections, explore what each one offers (folder structure, endpoints, auth approach), and present a comparison grounded in real API definitions rather than general knowledge.

Step 2: Explore the Collection

Once you've identified one or more collections that match the user's intent, explore their structure using the context tools from the table above. Drill into specific requests or folders as needed — fetch only what's relevant rather than dumping entire collections. Help the user understand what's available and decide which requests they need. Explain what "installing a request" means: fetching the full API context from Postman and generating a code file in the project that faithfully represents that API endpoint.

Step 3: Install Requests (Generate Code)

User confirmation required: Do NOT install requests without explicit user confirmation. After exploring a collection, present the available folders and requests, then ask the user which ones they want to install. Never assume the user wants all of them.

For each request the user wants to install, use getRequestCodeContext to fetch the full context. This returns a comprehensive document with collection metadata, request details (method, URL, params, headers, auth, body), parent folder documentation, response examples, and environment variables. No code generation can proceed without it.

Read references/code-generation.md now and generate client code following its rules exactly. Once a request's code has been generated, consider it "installed."

Step 4: Maintain Installed Requests

Read references/maintenance.md and follow its rules to list installed requests, check for upstream changes, find unused requests, and remove installed requests.

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Linking to Postman

Any collection or request can be linked to directly using its UID:

• Collection: https://go.postman.co/collection/<collection-uid>
• Request: https://go.postman.co/request/<request-uid>

When the user asks for a link, provide it. When presenting search results, installed request details, or update reports, include links proactively so the user can jump straight to Postman.

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Error Handling

MCP not configured: "Run /postman:setup to configure the Postman MCP Server."

401 Unauthorized: "Your Postman API key was rejected. Generate a new one at https://postman.postman.co/settings/me/api-keys and run /postman:setup."

404 or empty response: "Could not find the requested resource. Check that the collection/request ID is correct."

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Important Notes

• Context tools return markdown — parse and use the content, don't just dump it
• Always prefer real API definitions from Postman Context over guessing from training data
• Do not expose sensitive data like tokens in output