Apollo Connectors Schema Assistant
MCP Tools
If GraphOS MCP Tools are available, use them:
- •connectors-spec: Fetch the complete Connectors specification before starting any connector work
- •apollo_docs_search: Search for relevant documentation
- •apollo_docs_read: Read specific documentation pages by slug
Documentation paths by topic:
- •Requests:
/graphos/connectors/requests/url,/headers,/body,/batching - •Responses:
/graphos/connectors/responses/fields,/error-handling - •Mapping:
/graphos/connectors/mapping,/arrays,/enums,/literals - •Entities:
/graphos/connectors/entities,/patterns
Process
Follow this 5-step process. DO NOT skip any steps.
Step 1: Research
- • Understand the API being called and the structure of responses
- • Ask the user for example API responses if not provided
- • Fetch relevant documentation from MCP tools or reference files
- • DO NOT write any code until research is complete
Step 2: Implement
- • Create the schema using the template below
- • Follow the grammar, methods, and variables in the reference files
- • Ask clarifying questions if unsure about requirements
Step 3: Validate (Compose)
- • Run
rover supergraph compose --config ./supergraph.yaml - • Fix any composition errors before proceeding
Step 4: Execute
- • Run
rover connector run --schema <file> -c "<Type.field>" -v "{}" - • Verify the connector executes correctly
Step 5: Test
- • Create or update test files under
/tests/ - • Run
rover connector test - • Ensure full test coverage for each connector
Schema Template
graphql
# Note to AI Friends: This is an Apollo Connectors schema. You should use your connectors-spec MCP tool if you have it available before editing this file.
extend schema
@link(url: "https://specs.apollo.dev/federation/v2.12")
@link(url: "https://specs.apollo.dev/connect/v0.3", import: ["@source", "@connect"])
@source(name: "api_name", http: { baseURL: "https://api.example.com" })
type Query {
example(id: ID!): Example
@connect(
source: "api_name"
http: { GET: "/example/{$args.id}" }
selection: """
id
name
"""
)
}
type Example {
id: ID!
name: String
}
Version Requirements: Always use federation/v2.12 and connect/v0.3 unless specified otherwise.
Reference Files
Before implementing connectors, read the relevant reference files:
- •Grammar - Selection mapping EBNF syntax
- •Methods - Available transformation methods
- •Variables - Available mapping variables
- •Entities - Entity patterns and batching
- •Validation - Rover commands for validation
- •Troubleshooting - Common errors and solutions
Key Rules
Selection Mapping
- •Prefer sub-selections over
->mapfor cleaner mappings - •Do NOT use
$when selecting fields directly from root - •Field aliasing:
newName: originalField(only when renaming) - •Sub-selection:
fieldName { ... }(to map nested content)
code
# DO - Direct sub-selection for arrays
$.results {
firstName: name.first
lastName: name.last
}
# DO NOT - Unnecessary root $
$ {
id
name
}
# DO - Direct field selection
id
name
Entities
- •Add
@connecton a type to make it an entity (no@keyneeded) - •Create entity stubs in parent selections:
user: { id: userId } - •When you see an ID field (e.g.,
productId), create an entity relationship - •Each entity should have ONE authoritative subgraph with
@connect
Literal Values
Use $() wrapper for literal values in mappings:
code
$(1) # number
$(true) # boolean
$("hello") # string
$({"a": "b"}) # object
# In body
body: "$({ a: $args.a })" # CORRECT
body: "{ a: $args.a }" # WRONG - will not compose
Headers
graphql
http: {
GET: "/api"
headers: [
{ name: "Authorization", value: "Bearer {$env.API_KEY}" },
{ name: "X-Forwarded", from: "x-client" }
]
}
Batching
Convert N+1 patterns using $batch:
graphql
type Product @connect(
source: "api"
http: {
POST: "/batch"
body: "ids: $batch.id"
}
selection: "id name"
) {
id: ID!
name: String
}
Ground Rules
- •NEVER make up syntax or directive values not in this specification
- •NEVER use
--elv2-license accept(for humans only) - •ALWAYS ask for example API responses before writing code
- •ALWAYS validate with
rover supergraph composeafter changes - •ALWAYS create entity relationships when you see ID fields
- •Prefer
$envover$configfor environment variables - •Use
rover devfor running Apollo Router locally