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How to use Netlify functions for a GraphQL API

Netlify Functions + GraphQL

This repo demonstrates how to use functions for a GraphQL API using apollo-server-lambda.

See the graphQL function code

For more information on functions. Checkout functions.netlify.com and the Netlify functions workshop

Setup & Deployment

Easy mode:

Simply click the deploy button:

Manual mode:

Follow the steps below to set this up via the netlify-cli

  1. Fork this repo

    Fork this repo and clone it down to your local machine

    git clone repoURL
    
  2. Create this site in Netlify

    Open your terminal and run the following command:

    netlify init
    

    Choose "create & configure a new site", then add a site name or hit enter for one to be generated for you.

  3. Install our graphQL dependencies

    Change directories into our functions folder and create new package.json

    cd functions && npm init -y
    

    Now install the apollo-server-lambda npm package

    npm install apollo-server-lambda
    
  4. Require the graphQL dependencies in your function

    In functions/graphql.js, require 'apollo-server-lambda'

  5. Define your GraphQL types

    In functions/graphql.js, define your graphQL types

  6. Define your GraphQL resolvers

    In functions/graphql.js, define your graphQL resolvers

  7. Create a new ApolloServer

    In functions/graphql.js, create a new ApolloServer and pass it your typeDefs and resolves

  8. Export the Lambda compatible ApolloServer

    In functions/graphql.js, turn your server into a lambda compatible function signature

    server.createHandler()
    

    Then export the handler

  9. Deploy the site

    Open your terminal and run the following command:

    netlify deploy -p
    

    Open the frontend and test your new graphQL endpoint

    netlify open:site
    
  10. You did it! 🎉

    You should see a site like https://graphql-functions.netlify.com/ where you can explore your graphQL schema.

Additional resources