GraphQL and gRPC API Patterns for Code Review

Overview

GraphQL and gRPC each solve different API design problems but share a common failure mode: schema or contract changes that break callers without warning. GraphQL's flexibility makes it easy to over-fetch, under-batch, and leak implementation details. gRPC's strict Protobuf contracts are powerful but unforgiving when field numbers or types are changed carelessly.

When to use: Reviewing GraphQL resolvers, schema migrations, Protobuf .proto files, gRPC service definitions, or any code that consumes or exposes these APIs; evaluating batching strategies, subscription implementations, or streaming service designs.

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