Explain how to create GraphQL API with Nest.js and provide step by step guide with explanation?
Published: 2024-05-17 13:35:44

Creating a GraphQL API with Nest.js involves several key steps, including setting up the Nest.js project, installing necessary packages, configuring GraphQL with Apollo Server, defining GraphQL schemas and resolvers, and integrating with a database if needed. Below is a detailed, step-by-step guide to building a GraphQL API using Nest.js:

### Step 1: Initialize the Nest.js Project

First, you need to create a new Nest.js project. If you haven't installed the Nest CLI, you can do so and then create the project:

```bash
npm i -g @nestjs/cli
nest new graphql-project
cd graphql-project
```

This command sets up a new Nest.js project with all necessary dependencies.

### Step 2: Install GraphQL and Apollo Server Packages

Nest.js uses Apollo Server for serving GraphQL APIs. Install the necessary GraphQL packages:

```bash
npm install @nestjs/graphql @nestjs/apollo graphql apollo-server-express
```

### Step 3: Setup GraphQL Module

You will need to configure the GraphQL module within your Nest.js project. Modify the `app.module.ts` to include the `GraphQLModule`:

```typescript
import { Module } from '@nestjs/common';
import { GraphQLModule } from '@nestjs/graphql';
import { ApolloDriver, ApolloDriverConfig } from '@nestjs/apollo';

@Module({
  imports: [
    GraphQLModule.forRoot<ApolloDriverConfig>({
      driver: ApolloDriver,
      autoSchemaFile: true,  // Generates schema file automatically in memory
    }),
  ],
})
export class AppModule {}
```

In this configuration:
- `autoSchemaFile: true` tells Apollo to generate the schema file automatically and keep it in memory. You can also specify a path to generate the file on disk.

### Step 4: Define GraphQL Types and Resolvers

#### Create Entities
Entities are classes that you can use both as TypeORM entities and GraphQL types. Create an entity:

```typescript
import { ObjectType, Field, ID } from '@nestjs/graphql';

@ObjectType()
export class Recipe {
  @Field(() => ID)
  id: string;

  @Field()
  title: string;

  @Field({ nullable: true })
  description?: string;
}
```

#### Create Resolvers
Resolvers handle the GraphQL queries and mutations. Create a resolver:

```bash
nest generate resolver recipes
```

Now, implement it:

```typescript
import { Resolver, Query, Args, Mutation } from '@nestjs/graphql';
import { Recipe } from './recipe.entity';

@Resolver(of => Recipe)
export class RecipesResolver {
  private recipes: Recipe[] = [];

  @Query(returns => Recipe)
  async getRecipe(@Args('id', { type: () => String }) id: string): Promise<Recipe> {
    return this.recipes.find(recipe => recipe.id === id);
  }

  @Query(returns => [Recipe])
  async getRecipes(): Promise<Recipe[]> {
    return this.recipes;
  }

  @Mutation(returns => Recipe)
  async addRecipe(
    @Args('title') title: string,
    @Args('description', { nullable: true }) description: string,
  ): Promise<Recipe> {
    const recipe = { id: Date.now().toString(), title, description };
    this.recipes.push(recipe);
    return recipe;
  }
}
```

### Step 5: Integrate with a Database (Optional)

If you want to integrate a database like PostgreSQL using TypeORM, install additional packages and configure the `TypeOrmModule` in your `app.module.ts`. This process has been detailed in previous answers.

### Step 6: Run Your Nest.js Application

Run your application to see your GraphQL API in action:

```bash
npm run start
```

### Step 7: Test Your GraphQL API

Visit `http://localhost:3000/graphql` in your browser to access the Apollo Studio, where you can test your GraphQL queries and mutations.

### Final Thoughts

This setup provides a basic overview of creating a GraphQL API in Nest.js. For a real-world application, you'd need to consider additional aspects such as authentication, more complex business logic, testing, and proper error handling. This guide gives you a foundation, and you can build upon it based on your application's requirements.

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