Can REST and GraphQL coexist during migration?

Yes. The GraphQL server initially wraps your REST endpoints as resolvers. Both APIs serve traffic simultaneously while clients migrate at their own pace.

How do you handle authentication in GraphQL?

We implement authentication at the GraphQL context level, parsing tokens in middleware and passing user context to every resolver — the same pattern your REST API uses.

Will GraphQL work with our existing database?

Absolutely. GraphQL is database-agnostic. Resolvers can query any data source — SQL, NoSQL, REST APIs, or even files. Your database stays exactly as it is.

Migrate from REST to GraphQL

Eliminate over-fetching, reduce API calls, and give frontend teams the flexibility to query exactly the data they need — all through a single endpoint.

Migration: REST to GraphQL

From REST API to GraphQL

Why Migrate

Eliminate Over-Fetching: Clients request only the fields they need, reducing payload sizes by 40–60% and improving mobile performance significantly.
Single Endpoint: Replace dozens of REST endpoints with one GraphQL endpoint. Frontend teams query a self-documenting schema instead of hunting through API documentation.
Strongly Typed Schema: GraphQL's type system catches errors at build time, generates client SDKs automatically, and serves as living documentation for your API.

Migration Roadmap

Schema Design (1–2 weeks): Map REST resources to GraphQL types, design queries and mutations, and define resolver strategies that wrap existing REST endpoints.
- GraphQL schema definition (SDL)
- Query and mutation catalog
- Resolver architecture plan
Gateway Implementation (3–6 weeks): Build the GraphQL server with resolvers that initially proxy REST endpoints. Incrementally move business logic from REST controllers to GraphQL resolvers.
- GraphQL server with Apollo/Yoga
- Resolvers wrapping existing REST endpoints
- Client SDK generation pipeline
Client Migration & REST Deprecation (2–3 weeks): Migrate frontend clients to use GraphQL queries, set up caching with Apollo Client, and deprecate REST endpoints.
- Frontend clients using GraphQL
- Apollo Client caching configuration
- REST endpoint deprecation timeline

Risks & Mitigation

N+1 query problems degrade performance: We implement DataLoader for batching and caching database queries, and add query complexity analysis to prevent expensive nested queries.
Breaking changes to the API contract: We run the GraphQL gateway in front of existing REST endpoints initially, so no clients break. Migration happens client by client at their own pace.

Estimated Scope

Hours: 100–200 | Cost: $200–$400 | Timeline: 6–11 weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

Can REST and GraphQL coexist during migration?: Yes. The GraphQL server initially wraps your REST endpoints as resolvers. Both APIs serve traffic simultaneously while clients migrate at their own pace.
How do you handle authentication in GraphQL?: We implement authentication at the GraphQL context level, parsing tokens in middleware and passing user context to every resolver — the same pattern your REST API uses.
Will GraphQL work with our existing database?: Absolutely. GraphQL is database-agnostic. Resolvers can query any data source — SQL, NoSQL, REST APIs, or even files. Your database stays exactly as it is.