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gqlgen
What it is
gqlgen is a free Go library for creating GraphQL servers from a schema. Developers define a GraphQL Schema Definition Language schema, and gqlgen generates models and server runtime code. Its project emphasizes type safety and aims to keep map[string]interface{} out of the regular workflow. Listed operations include queries, mutations, and subscriptions, alongside federation support. Developers can bind schema types to custom Go models and generate explicit field resolvers. Documentation recipes cover Apollo Federation, authentication, CORS, Gin, and subscriptions; the authentication approach passes authentication details through context. The getting-started guide runs the generated server with go run server.go and opens it at localhost:8080. The project also offers scaffolding, custom templates, schema-to-code generation, and a CLI. It is self-hosted, and Go is both its supported language and server language. There is no free trial, and no paid plans are listed. One configuration limitation is that user-configurable directives are not supported for scalar, enum, interface, or union types. For very large type systems above 65,000 methods, documentation suggests function syntax for execution context as an option.
For and against
For
- Generates models and server runtime code from a schema.
- Supports queries, mutations, subscriptions, and federation.
- Includes recipes for authentication, CORS, Gin, and subscriptions.
- Offers scaffolding, custom templates, and a CLI.
Against
- User-configurable directives are unsupported for several type kinds.
- It is self-hosted and requires a Go server environment.
The verdict
gqlgen offers a schema-first path for building GraphQL servers in Go, with code generation and documented integration recipes. Its directive restriction is worth considering when configuring schemas.
Who it suits
gqlgen suits Go developers who want to build GraphQL servers from schemas and use custom Go models. It may also fit teams working with federation or the documented integrations.
Plans and prices
gqlgen
Go library for building GraphQL servers; no paid plans listed
Read 2 Oct 2026 · gqlgen.com
On the record
- Approach
- It uses a schema-first approach based on GraphQL Schema Definition Language.gqlgen.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Code generation
- gqlgen generates code from a GraphQL schema, including models and server runtime code.gqlgen.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Custom models
- The getting-started guide shows how gqlgen can bind schema types to custom Go models and generate explicit field resolvers.gqlgen.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The getting-started guide runs the generated server with go run server.go and opens it at localhost:8080.gqlgen.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Federation
- The feature comparison lists federation support, and the configuration documentation shows Apollo Federation enabled by default in its example configuration.gqlgen.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The documentation includes recipes for Apollo Federation, authentication, CORS, Gin, and subscriptions.gqlgen.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Large schemas
- The configuration documentation identifies type systems above 65,000 methods as very large and recommends function syntax for execution context as an option.gqlgen.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- The configuration documentation says gqlgen does not currently support user-configurable directives for scalar, enum, interface, or union types.gqlgen.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Operations
- The feature comparison lists support for queries, mutations, and subscriptions.gqlgen.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Product
- gqlgen is a Go library for building GraphQL servers.gqlgen.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Security
- The documentation provides an authentication recipe that passes authentication details through context.gqlgen.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users who find bugs or unexpected behavior to raise an issue on GitHub.gqlgen.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Type safety
- The project prioritizes type safety and says users should not see map[string]interface{} in its workflow.gqlgen.com · read 2 Oct 2026
