About the Postman Agent

The Postman Agent enables you to send API requests when you're using the Postman web app. The Postman Agent is required to bypass the cross-origin resource sharing (CORS) limitations of web browsers. Postman has four agents you can choose from.

You can use the Desktop Agent to send all types of API requests from the Postman web app without CORS limitations. You can also use the Cloud Agent, the Browser Agent, or the Interceptor Agent to send HTTP requests. The Postman web app can automatically select the best agent for your requests, or you can manually select an agent depending on your needs.

Postman recommends installing the Postman desktop app. The Postman desktop app offers the full Postman experience, with no limitations when sending requests. You don't need to select an agent when using the Postman desktop app.

Postman Desktop Agent

The Desktop Agent is an application that runs locally on your computer. It enables API requests to originate in your web browser but get routed through your local machine and network. This enables the Postman web app to bypass the CORS limitations of browsers.

When you select the Desktop Agent, you'll be prompted to download the agent if it's not already installed. Select Download Desktop Agent to download the agent, or download it from the Postman Agent page. Run the downloaded file to install the agent.

You can use the Desktop Agent to send all types of API requests supported by Postman, including HTTP, WebSocket, Socket.io, gRPC, MQTT, and GraphQL requests.

The Postman Desktop Agent doesn't support the Safari web browser. Use a different web browser or agent instead.

Postman Cloud Agent

The Cloud Agent enables API requests to originate in your web browser but get routed through Postman's secure cloud servers. This enables the Postman web app to bypass the CORS limitations of browsers.

You can use the Cloud Agent to send HTTP requests. You can't use the Cloud Agent to send WebSocket, Socket.io, gRPC, MQTT, or GraphQL requests. Because the Cloud Agent uses Postman's cloud servers, it can't access private or local resources on your network when sending requests.

Your Postman plan gives you a limited number of requests that can be sent using the Cloud Agent each month. Learn more about resource usage in Postman.

Postman Interceptor Agent

The Postman Interceptor Agent is available on Postman Free plans while we gather feedback. You can create a free account to try this feature out and let us know what you think.

Postman interceptor is a browser extension you can use to capture and inspect API traffic in Postman. You can also use Interceptor to send HTTP requests from the Postman web app and avoid the CORS limitations of web browsers. Using the Interceptor Agent is a good option if you want to use Safari, or if you can’t install applications (like the Desktop Agent app) on your system.

When you select the Interceptor Agent, you'll be prompted to install the agent if it's not already installed. Select Install Interceptor Agent to install the agent in your web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge), or refer to the Postman Interceptor installation instructions.

You can use the Interceptor Agent to send HTTP requests. You can't use the Interceptor Agent to send WebSocket, Socket.io, gRPC, MQTT, or GraphQL requests.

The Interceptor Agent doesn't support using CA, self-signed, or client certificates. If you select the Interceptor Agent, the following request settings aren't available:

• Enable SSL certificate verification
• Use server cipher suite during handshake
• Protocols disabled during handshake
• Cipher suite selection

Postman Browser Agent

You can use the Browser Agent to send HTTP requests. You can't use the Browser Agent to send WebSocket, Socket.io, gRPC, MQTT, or GraphQL requests. You may experience the CORS limitations of browsers when using the Browser Agent.

Compare Postman Agents

To have Postman automatically select the best agent for sending requests, choose the Auto-select option. Or use the following table to help you choose the best agent for your needs:

Postman Agent	Description
Desktop Agent	✓ Recommended for most users ✓ Avoids CORS issues ✓ Send all types of requests ✓ Requires installing the Desktop Agent app ✓ Safari browser isn't supported
Cloud Agent	✓ Avoids CORS issues ✓ No installation required ✓ Send HTTP requests only ✓ Can't access private or local network resources ✓ Usage limits based on your Postman plan
Interceptor Agent	✓ Avoids CORS issues ✓ No need to install a separate desktop app ✓ Send HTTP requests only ✓ Can't use CA, self-signed, or client certificates
Browser Agent	✓ No installation required ✓ Send HTTP requests only ✓ May encounter CORS issues when sending requests

Select a Postman Agent for requests

1. In the Postman web app, select Auto-select agent, Cloud Agent, Desktop Agent, Browser Agent, or Interceptor Agent from the Postman footer.

2. Select the agent you want to use for sending requests:

   • Turn on Auto-select to have Postman automatically select the best available agent. Postman selects agents in the following order: Desktop, Cloud, Interceptor, and Browser.

     You must install and launch the Desktop Agent app, or install the Interceptor Agent browser extension, to make these options available for auto-selection.

   • Turn off Auto-select and select the agent you want to use (select Other Agents to see all options):

     • Cloud Agent - Send HTTP requests using Postman's cloud servers.
     • Desktop Agent - (Recommended) Send requests using the Postman Desktop Agent app.
     • Browser Agent - Send HTTP requests using your browser, with CORS limitations.
     • Interceptor Agent - Send HTTP requests using the Postman Interceptor browser extension.
   

3. Send your request and view the response in the workbench.

If you send a request and it isn't successful because the best agent isn't selected, you can use the provided link in the response area to switch to the recommended agent and send your request again.