grpcmd
What grpcmd is
grpcmd is a free command-line tool for working with gRPC services on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It can use server reflection to find services and methods, describe request and response message structures, and call methods. Calls can stream in either direction, and output can show headers, message data, and trailers. Users who do not want to use reflection can instead provide .proto files and import search paths. The tool can also start a server implementing grpcmd.GrpcmdService with reflection. Documentation includes shell-completion setup for Bash, Zsh, fish, and PowerShell. Related tools extend its use: grpcmd-script defines endpoint checks in JavaScript and can assert response headers, messages, and trailers. It is distributed as a binary and does not require Node.js. The maker also offers grpcmd-gui, an open-source local-first desktop application with reflection-based method lookup, JSON request templates, streaming, headers, trailers, and themes. The GUI has macOS, Windows, and Linux builds, including amd64 and arm64. grpcmd is listed as free; grpcmd-script is listed at $9 a year with early-bird pricing.
Who it suits
It suits developers who work with gRPC services from a command line and want reflection, method descriptions, or streaming calls. Its related script and desktop tools may suit users who prefer JavaScript endpoint tests or a graphical workflow.
What it does well
- Free command-line tool
- Available for macOS, Linux, and Windows
- Supports reflection and supplied .proto files
- Streaming calls show headers and trailers
- Shell completion covers four shells
What to know first
- grpcmd-script costs $9 a year
- GUI is a separate related application
Limits
grpcmd is free. grpcmd-script is listed at $9 a year, billed at $24 $9 USD / year (Early Bird Pricing).
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| grpcmd | $0 USD / year · Send requests · Start a server · Supports reflection · List and describe methods · JavaScript scripting | Free |
| grpcmd-script | $24 $9 USD / year (Early Bird Pricing) · JavaScript requests and tests · Software updates · Single binary · No Node.js | $9 a year |
As grpc.md lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open https://grpc.md/.
- Choose the grpcmd command-line plan or the grpcmd-script plan for JavaScript tests.
- Download a binary for Linux, macOS, or Windows.
- Use server reflection to find services, or provide .proto files and import search paths.
- Set up shell completion for Bash, Zsh, fish, or PowerShell if needed.
- For a desktop interface, download grpcmd-gui for macOS, Windows, or Linux.
Verdict
grpcmd provides command-line service discovery and calling, with alternatives when reflection is unavailable. The related script and GUI add different workflows, but are separate offerings.
Questions
Is grpcmd free?
Yes. The grpcmd plan is free and includes sending requests, starting a server, reflection, listing and describing methods, and JavaScript scripting.
How much does grpcmd-script cost?
The plan is $9 a year, billed at $24 $9 USD / year (Early Bird Pricing). It includes JavaScript requests and tests, software updates, a single binary, and no Node.js requirement.
Which operating systems does grpcmd support?
Binary downloads are available for macOS, Linux, and Windows. grpcmd-gui downloads are also offered for those systems, including amd64 and arm64 builds.
Can grpcmd work without server reflection?
Yes. You can provide .proto files and import search paths instead of using reflection.
Does grpcmd include a desktop app?
grpcmd-gui is a separate open-source desktop app described as local-first and privacy-focused. It supports method fetching from reflection, headers and trailers, JSON request templates, streaming, and themes.
Does grpcmd-script require Node.js?
No. grpcmd-script is distributed as a binary and does not require the Node.js runtime. It supports importing the chai assertion library.
Facts from grpcmd's own pages
- Desktop app
- The maker describes grpcmd-gui as an open-source, local-first, privacy-focused desktop app for gRPC API development and testing. · grpc.md, 4 Oct 2026
- GUI features
- grpcmd-gui supports fetching methods from reflection, sending request headers, viewing response headers and trailers, JSON request templates, streaming, and themes. · grpc.md, 4 Oct 2026
- GUI platforms
- grpcmd-gui downloads are offered for macOS, Windows, and Linux, including amd64 and arm64 builds. · grpc.md, 4 Oct 2026
- JavaScript dependency
- grpcmd-script is distributed as a binary and does not require the Node.js runtime. · grpc.md, 4 Oct 2026
- JavaScript test tool
- grpcmd-script lets users define gRPC endpoint tests in JavaScript and assert response headers, data messages, and trailers. · grpc.md, 4 Oct 2026
- Method details
- It describes a gRPC method and outputs descriptions of its request and response messages. · grpc.md, 4 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- Binary downloads are available for macOS, Linux, and Windows. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- grpcmd is a command-line tool for working with gRPC. · grpc.md, 4 Oct 2026
- Proto files
- Users can provide .proto files and import search paths instead of using reflection. · grpc.md, 4 Oct 2026
- Reflection
- It can list available gRPC services and methods using reflection. · grpc.md, 4 Oct 2026
- Requests
- It calls gRPC methods and supports streaming requests and responses, with headers, data, and trailers in output. · grpc.md, 4 Oct 2026
- Server
- It can start a gRPC server implementing grpcmd.GrpcmdService with reflection. · grpc.md, 4 Oct 2026
- Shell completion
- The documentation lists completion setup for Bash, Zsh, fish, and PowerShell. · grpc.md, 4 Oct 2026
- Test assertions
- grpcmd-script supports importing the chai assertion library. · grpc.md, 4 Oct 2026
Where grpcmd stands on Freedom251
- gRPC Tools#8 of 24