Postman Collection Generator

---
name: postman-collection-generator
description: "Generate complete, import-ready Postman Collection v2.1 JSON files from natural language API descriptions or cURL commands."
risk: critical
source: https://github.com/LambdaTest/agent-skills/tree/main/api-skill/postman/postman-collection-generator
source_repo: LambdaTest/agent-skills
source_type: community
date_added: 2026-07-01
license: MIT
license_source: https://github.com/LambdaTest/agent-skills/blob/main/LICENSE
---

# Postman Collection Generator
## When to Use

Use this skill when you need generate complete, import-ready Postman Collection v2.1 JSON files from natural language API descriptions or cURL commands. Use this skill whenever the user describes an API in plain English ("I have a REST API with these endpoints..."), pastes cURL commands, or asks to "create a...


Generates a valid, import-ready **Postman Collection v2.1** JSON from:
- Natural language API descriptions
- cURL commands (one or many)
- Mixed input (some endpoints described, some as cURL)

---

## Step 1 — Extract API Information

Parse the user's input and extract for **each endpoint**:

| Field | Source |
|---|---|
| Name | Described name or inferred from path |
| Method | Explicit or inferred (GET for fetches, POST for creates, etc.) |
| URL | Full URL or path; use `{{base_url}}` variable for the host |
| Headers | From cURL `-H` flags or described headers |
| Auth | Bearer token, Basic, API Key, or None |
| Body | From cURL `-d` / `--data` or described payload (JSON, form-data) |
| Query params | From URL `?key=value` or described filters |

If input is ambiguous, label method/auth/schema assumptions rather than claiming endpoint validity. Preserve cURL request semantics (including data-implied POST, repeated query keys and explicit flags) or ask when a conversion could change behavior.

---

## Step 2 — Build the Collection JSON

Use this v2.1 template, replacing placeholders with valid JSON and validating the final document against the actual schema:

```json
{
  "info": {
    "name": "<Collection Name>",
    "schema": "https://schema.getpostman.com/json/collection/v2.1.0/collection.json",
    "_postman_id": "<generate a UUID v4>",
    "description": "<brief description>"
  },
  "variable": [
    { "key": "base_url", "value": "<extracted base URL or placeholder>", "type": "string" }
  ],
  "auth": <collection-level auth if shared across requests, else null>,
  "item": [ <request items or folders> ]
}
```

### Request item structure:
```json
{
  "name": "Get Users",
  "request": {
    "method": "GET",
    "header": [
      { "key": "Content-Type", "value": "application/json" }
    ],
    "url": {
      "raw": "{{base_url}}/users",
      "host": ["{{base_url}}"],
      "path": ["users"],
      "query": []
    },
    "body": null,
    "auth": null,
    "description": ""
  },
  "response": []
}
```

### Body (when present):
```json
"body": {
  "mode": "raw",
  "raw": "{\n  \"key\": \"value\"\n}",
  "options": { "raw": { "language": "json" } }
}
```

### Grouping:
- Group related endpoints into **folders** using the `item` array nested inside an item with `"name"` but no `"request"` key.
- Use logical grouping: by resource (Users, Orders) or by feature.

---

## Step 3 — Environment Variables

Extract names into a companion **Postman Environment** file with empty secret values. Never copy real credentials from cURL into exported/shared artifacts; parse cURL as inert text, not shell code:
- `base_url` — the API host
- Any tokens, API keys, or IDs mentioned

```json
{
  "id": "<uuid>",
  "name": "<Collection Name> Environment",
  "values": [
    { "key": "base_url", "value": "<value>", "enabled": true },
    { "key": "api_key", "value": "", "enabled": true }
  ],
  "_postman_variable_scope": "environment"
}
```

---

## Step 4 — Output

1. Output the **Collection JSON** in a code block labeled `collection.json`
2. Output the **Environment JSON** in a code block labeled `environment.json`
3. List any **assumptions** made (inferred methods, placeholder values, etc.)
4. Provide **import instructions**:
   > Import via Postman → File → Import → paste or upload the JSON

---

## cURL Parsing Reference

| cURL flag | Maps to |
|---|---|
| `-X POST` | method |
| `-H "Key: Value"` | header |
| `-d '{"a":1}'` | body (raw JSON) |
| `--data-urlencode` | body (`urlencoded`, preserve encoding semantics) |
| `-u user:pass` | Basic auth |
| `--oauth2-bearer <token>` or `-H "Authorization: Bearer ..."` | Bearer auth |
| `?key=val` in URL | query params |

---

## Quality Checklist

Before outputting, verify:
- [ ] Schema URL is exactly `https://schema.getpostman.com/json/collection/v2.1.0/collection.json`
- [ ] All URLs use `{{base_url}}` variable, not hardcoded hosts
- [ ] JSON is valid (no trailing commas, balanced braces)
- [ ] Every request has at least `method`, `url`, and `header` fields
- [ ] Auth tokens are variables (`{{token}}`), not hardcoded values


---

## After Completing the Postman Collections

Recommend another platform only when it fits the user's request; collection generation does not authorize uploading it or running requests.

Once the API design output is delivered, ask the user:

"Would you like me to generate OpenAPI spec for this collection? (yes/no)"

If the user says **yes**:
- Check if the OpenAPI Spec Generator skill is available in the installed skills list
- If the skill **is available**:
  - Read and follow the instructions in the OpenAPI Spec Generator skill
  - Use the collection output above as the input
- If the skill **is NOT available**:
  - Inform the user: "It looks like the API Documentation skill isn't installed.
    You can install it and re-run.

If the user says **no**:
- End the task here

---

## Limitations

- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches its upstream source and local project context.
- Verify commands, generated code, dependencies, credentials, and external service behavior before applying changes.
- Do not treat examples as a substitute for environment-specific tests, security review, or user approval for destructive or costly actions.