GraphQL API Implementation Checklist

15 items · Developer · Hard difficulty · 2 hours

Implement a secure, efficient GraphQL API with this practical step-by-step checklist.

• Define schema boundaries and domains

  Split schema by feature; document types, inputs, and relationships.

• Design queries and mutations clearly

  Name operations by intent and keep payloads focused.

• Plan subscriptions and real-time needs

  Specify events, payloads, auth, and scaling expectations.

• Add input validation and custom scalars

  Use scalars for Date/Email and validate inputs early.

• Generate typed schemas and resolvers with codegen

  Run GraphQL codegen to produce TypeScript types and avoid runtime mismatches.

• Populate request context with authentication

  Attach user, tokens, and services to context for resolver access.

• Enforce field and operation authorization

  Check permissions in resolvers or with schema directives.

• Scan schema for N+1 query hotspots

  Review nested lists and resolver patterns that may cause extra DB calls.

• Add DataLoader batching and caching to resolvers

  Batch DB calls per request to eliminate N+1 and cache where appropriate.

• Set query depth limiting

  Apply a max depth to reject deeply nested queries that can overload services.

• Enforce query complexity/cost analysis

  Calculate cost per field and reject or throttle high-cost queries.

• Disable GraphQL playground and introspection in production

  Serve playground only in dev/staging and restrict introspection to reduce attack surface.

• Enable persisted queries and whitelisting

  Use persisted queries to improve caching and limit arbitrary query execution.

• Implement logging, tracing, and monitoring

  Capture resolver timings, errors, and metrics to detect regressions quickly.

• Write unit and integration tests for resolvers and schema

  Include auth, edge cases, and performance tests to prevent regressions.

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