graphql-fetch-optimizer

graphql-fetch-optimizer is a drop-in replacement for nodejs fetch that optimizes GraphQL requests before they are executed

It lets you write queries without worrying about complex optims and it transparently improves how they're executed.

Features include automatic pagination, make all queries sequential (useful with Eleventy SSG), debug mode and more to come if you get involved too

Installation

npm install --save graphql-fetch-optimizer

Basic usage

In your build entry point (e.g. .eleventy.mjs or any JS file):

import { createPatchedFetch } from 'graphql-fetch-optimizer'
const patchedFetch = createPatchedFetch(fetch)

Then use the patchedFetch() function normally in your code.

Example

import { createPatchedFetch } from 'graphql-fetch-optimizer'
const patchedFetch = createPatchedFetch(fetch)
const res = await patchedFetch('https://cms.example.com/graphql', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    query: `{
      menus(first: "auto") {
        nodes { id label }
        pageInfo { hasNextPage endCursor }
      }
    }`
  })
})

const json = await res.json()
console.log(json.data.menus.nodes)

If the menus field contains more than one page of results, the optimizer will fetch all of them and return a merged result.

Mock mode

You can mock all calls to fetch in your code base:

import { createPatchedFetch } from 'graphql-fetch-optimizer'
globalThis.fetch = createPatchedFetch(globalThis.fetch)

API

Options for createPatchedFetch

Option	Type	Default	Description
sequential	boolean	false	If true, paginated root fields are fetched one after another instead of in parallel. Useful for underpowered CMS backends.
autoKeyword	string	auto	The value used in first: ... arguments to trigger pagination.

The returned function is a fully-compatible fetch replacement. You can assign it to global.fetch or use it directly.

Limitations

• Only root-level fields with first: "auto" are paginated
• Your schema must return nodes[] and pageInfo { hasNextPage, endCursor }
• Nested pagination is not supported

Advanced usage

Use the core pagination logic manually:

import { fetchRootPaginatedFields } from 'graphql-fetch-optimizer/paginate.js'

const result = await fetchRootPaginatedFields(query, cursorVars, (query, variables) =>
  fetch('https://cms.example.com/graphql', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
    body: JSON.stringify({ query, variables })
  }).then(res => res.json())
)

Future ideas

This package is built to evolve as a general-purpose query optimizer. Possible additions:

• Remove unused fragments
• Warn on large or slow responses
• Print query stats or execution plan
• Add a minimum delay between calls

Project origin

Originally created for Silex no-code static site builder that generates GraphQL queries automatically from a no-code interface

It can also be used in any static generator that fetches GraphQL content at build time