apollo-connectors

Guide for integrating REST APIs into GraphQL supergraphs using Apollo Connectors with @source and @connect directives. Use this skill when the user: (1)…

INSTALLATION
npx skills add https://github.com/apollographql/skills --skill apollo-connectors
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SKILL.md

Apollo Connectors Schema Assistant

MCP Tools

If GraphOS MCP Tools are available, use them:

  • connectors-spec: Fetch the complete Connectors specification before starting any connector work
  • apollo_docs_search: Search for relevant documentation
  • apollo_docs_read: Read specific documentation pages by slug

Documentation paths by topic:

  • Requests: /graphos/connectors/requests/url, /headers, /body, /batching
  • Responses: /graphos/connectors/responses/fields, /error-handling
  • Mapping: /graphos/connectors/mapping, /arrays, /enums, /literals
  • Entities: /graphos/connectors/entities, /patterns

Process

Follow this 5-step process. DO NOT skip any steps.

Step 1: Research

  • Understand the API being called and the structure of responses
  • Ask the user for example API responses if not provided
  • Fetch relevant documentation from MCP tools or reference files
  • DO NOT write any code until research is complete

Step 2: Implement

  • Create the schema using the template below
  • Follow the grammar, methods, and variables in the reference files
  • Ask clarifying questions if unsure about requirements

Step 3: Validate (Compose)

  • Run rover supergraph compose --config ./supergraph.yaml
  • Fix any composition errors before proceeding

Step 4: Execute

  • Run rover connector run --schema <file> -c "<Type.field>" -v "{}"
  • Verify the connector executes correctly

Step 5: Test

  • Create or update test files under /tests/
  • Run rover connector test
  • Ensure full test coverage for each connector

Schema Template

# Note to AI Friends: This is an Apollo Connectors schema. You should use your connectors-spec MCP tool if you have it available before editing this file.

extend schema

  @link(url: "https://specs.apollo.dev/federation/v2.15")

  @link(url: "https://specs.apollo.dev/connect/v0.3", import: ["@source", "@connect"])

@source(name: "api_name", http: { baseURL: "https://api.example.com" })

type Query {

  example(id: ID!): Example

    @connect(

      source: "api_name"

      http: { GET: "/example/{$args.id}" }

      selection: """

      id

      name

      """

    )

}

type Example {

  id: ID!

  name: String

}

Version requirements

Use the latest Long-Term Support (LTS) versions of Apollo Federation and Apollo Connectors. Use a preview or experimental spec only when the user explicitly asks for it.

Confirm the current LTS before writing @link URLs or federation_version. Prefer the GraphOS docs tools when they are available:

  • Federation: read /graphos/schema-design/federated-schemas/reference/versions and use the highest version marked LTS. That version is the schema @link (https://specs.apollo.dev/federation/vX.Y). Set federation_version in supergraph.yaml to the latest patch of that same LTS line.
  • Connectors: read /graphos/connectors/getting-started/version-requirements and /graphos/connectors/reference/changelog. Use the latest Connectors spec that is generally available (not marked experimental) and compatible with that Federation LTS (https://specs.apollo.dev/connect/vX.Y).

The template above uses the current LTS: Federation v2.15 and Connectors v0.3. If the docs list a newer LTS, use the docs.

Reference Files

Before implementing connectors, read the relevant reference files:

  • Grammar - Selection mapping EBNF syntax
  • Methods - Available transformation methods
  • Entities - Entity patterns and batching

Key Rules

Selection Mapping

  • Prefer sub-selections over ->map for cleaner mappings
  • Do NOT use $ when selecting fields directly from root
  • Field aliasing: newName: originalField (only when renaming)
  • Sub-selection: fieldName { ... } (to map nested content)
# DO - Direct sub-selection for arrays

$.results {

  firstName: name.first

  lastName: name.last

}

# DO NOT - Unnecessary root $

$ {

  id

  name

}

# DO - Direct field selection

id

name

Entities

  • Add @connect on a type to make it an entity (no @key needed)
  • Create entity stubs in parent selections: user: { id: userId }
  • When you see an ID field (e.g., productId), create an entity relationship
  • Each entity should have ONE authoritative subgraph with @connect

Literal Values

Use $() wrapper for literal values in mappings:

$(1)              # number

$(true)           # boolean

$("hello")        # string

$({"a": "b"})     # object

# In body

body: "$({ a: $args.a })"  # CORRECT

body: "{ a: $args.a }"     # WRONG - will not compose

Headers

http: {

  GET: "/api"

  headers: [

    { name: "Authorization", value: "Bearer {$env.API_KEY}" },

    { name: "X-Forwarded", from: "x-client" }

  ]

}

Batching

Convert N+1 patterns using $batch:

type Product @connect(

  source: "api"

  http: {

    POST: "/batch"

    body: "ids: $batch.id"

  }

  selection: "id name"

) {

  id: ID!

  name: String

}

Ground Rules

  • NEVER make up syntax or directive values not in this specification
  • NEVER use --elv2-license accept (for humans only)
  • ALWAYS ask for example API responses before writing code
  • ALWAYS validate with rover supergraph compose after changes
  • ALWAYS create entity relationships when you see ID fields
  • Prefer $env over $config for environment variables
  • Use rover dev for running Apollo Router locally
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