How to Open Apollo Explorer

To open the Apollo Explorer, particularly within the context of the Apollo Sandbox environment after starting your server, you have two primary methods available. These methods allow you to access the Explorer in your web browser to interact with your GraphQL API.

Accessing Apollo Explorer in Apollo Sandbox

The Apollo Explorer is a powerful tool for sending queries and mutations to your GraphQL server. When working with Apollo Sandbox, accessing the Explorer is straightforward:

1. Via the Terminal Link:

   • After starting your GraphQL server (e.g., using a command like npm start or yarn dev), your terminal will typically display a URL where the server is running and where you can access the Apollo Sandbox, which includes the Explorer.
   • You can cmd+click on this URL in your terminal (this shortcut might vary slightly depending on your operating system, e.g., Ctrl+click on Windows/Linux) to automatically open that address in your default web browser.

2. Directly Navigating to the URL:

   • If you know the address where your Apollo Sandbox is hosted, you can simply open it directly in your browser.
   • A common default address when running locally is http://localhost:4000. You can type this address into your browser's address bar and press Enter to load the page containing the Explorer.

Both methods will take you to the Apollo Sandbox interface, where the Explorer tool is prominently displayed, allowing you to begin testing your GraphQL schema.

Quick Reference

Here is a quick summary of how to open Apollo Explorer in the Sandbox:

• Method 1: Cmd/Ctrl + click the URL displayed in your terminal after starting your server.
• Method 2: Navigate your web browser directly to the server's address, often http://localhost:4000 by default.

Utilizing these steps ensures you can quickly access the Apollo Explorer and start exploring your API.