Stressless is a native, local-first API client built for focused engineering work.
_{Quiet power. Predictable behavior. Professional ergonomics.}

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Operational reality

Stressless is not a toy, a dashboard, or a cloud funnel.

It is a local execution surface.

• No accounts to revoke
• No servers to shut down
• No telemetry to sanitize
• No vendors to call at 03:17

Every request executes where you are. Every response is yours to interpret. Nothing leaves the machine unless you send it.

This is intentional.

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Threat model (explicit)

Stressless assumes:

• hostile networks
• unreliable connectivity
• audited environments
• engineers who do not want surprises

Design decisions follow from this:

• Local-first by default
• Embedded engine, not plugins
• Minimal surface area
• No background services
• No silent updates

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Why this exists

Most API tools are built for demos.

Stressless is built for:

• incident response
• regulated environments
• long-running investigations
• engineers who already know what they are doing

If you need onboarding, tutorials, or gamification, this tool is not for you.

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Non-goals

Stressless does not aim to:

• replace Postman for teams
• provide cloud sync
• track usage
• collect metrics
• monetize data

Those features introduce ambiguity.

Stressless removes ambiguity.

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Stressless is calm software for stressful situations.

Releases

Pre-built Windows binaries will be published on the Releases page.

• v0.1.0-alpha – portable Windows build (first public alpha)

Release notes live in RELEASES/.

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Why Stressless

Most API tools optimize for friendliness and feature sprawl. Stressless optimizes for signal, clarity, and trust.

• Local-first: runs fully on your machine
• No accounts: no logins, no cloud dependency
• Predictable: fewer moving parts, fewer surprises
• Engine-backed: embedded Go backend designed for correctness

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Core capabilities

• Universal REST client
• Syntax-highlighted JSON responses
• Local preset storage
• Endpoint discovery via SSE
• Native Windows shell (WPF + WebView2)
• Portable distribution (and installer workflow ready)

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Screenshots

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Architecture

Stressless (WPF)
└── Embedded Web UI
    └── Go API Engine
        ├── Request proxy
        ├── Preset storage
        └── Discovery engine (SSE)

The desktop shell exists to disappear. The engine does the work.

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Build (developers)

Backend:

cd apps/server-go
go run ./cmd/server

Windows portable:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File scripts\build_windows_portable.ps1

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Security & signing (alpha)

Stressless supports free, practical code signing for early alpha.

• Guide: SIGNING.md
• A self-signed certificate is acceptable for internal pilots and investor demos.
• SmartScreen reputation requires paid EV signing and is intentionally deferred.

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Vision

Stressless aims to be the reference desktop tool for serious API work.

The long-term goal is simple:

• predictable behavior
• local-first security
• professional-grade ergonomics

Stressless is not trying to replace every tool. It is trying to be the one you trust.

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Repo map

apps/server-go/        Go engine + embedded UI
apps/windows-wpf/      Native Windows shell (WPF)
branding/              Logos, icons, social preview
docs/                  Screens, notes, media kit
installer/             Inno Setup scaffolding
scripts/               Build + repair scripts

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© bspippi1337