GraphQL API Development
Give your clients the data they need, exactly as they need it
GraphQL gives clients, web, mobile, and third-party, the flexibility to query exactly what they need without over-fetching or multiple round trips. We design schemas, implement resolvers safely, and deploy to Azure, with federation, subscriptions, and security hardening included.
Production-ready GraphQL APIs, not prototypes
Schema design & SDL authoring
We design expressive GraphQL schemas using Schema Definition Language, with types, queries, mutations, subscriptions, and clear nullability rules that accurately model your domain and set clear expectations for clients.
Resolver implementation & DataLoader
We implement resolvers efficiently, using the DataLoader pattern to batch and cache database calls, eliminating N+1 query problems that are the most common GraphQL performance trap.
Subscriptions & real-time data
For live dashboards, notifications, and collaborative features, we implement GraphQL subscriptions over WebSockets, with managed connection handling and backpressure support.
Schema federation & composition
When your GraphQL graph grows across teams and services, we implement schema federation (Apollo Federation or Hot Chocolate Fusion), allowing independent teams to own their subgraph without fragmenting the client experience.
Security: query complexity & depth limiting
We implement query complexity analysis, depth limiting, and rate limiting to prevent resource exhaustion attacks, critical for any publicly exposed GraphQL endpoint.
Azure deployment & persisted queries
We deploy GraphQL servers to Azure (App Service, Functions, or AKS) with persisted query support and Azure APIM integration, giving you caching, analytics, and subscription key management at the gateway layer.
Four scenarios where GraphQL accelerates delivery
Diverse clients with different data needs
When your web app, mobile app, and partner integrations all need different slices of the same data, GraphQL's client-driven queries eliminate over-fetching and reduce round trips, without maintaining separate REST endpoints per client type.
Complex, interconnected data models
When clients need to traverse relationships across entities, orders, products, users, addresses, in a single request, GraphQL's nested query model is far more expressive and efficient than chained REST calls.
Rapid front-end development
When front-end teams are frequently blocked waiting for new REST endpoints, GraphQL gives them self-service flexibility to request exactly the data they need from the agreed schema, shipping features without backend involvement.
API aggregation layer
GraphQL works well as a unified data layer sitting in front of multiple backend services, resolving data from REST APIs, databases, and microservices into a single, coherent graph that clients query once.
Our GraphQL delivery process
Consumer-first schema design, followed by safe resolver implementation and thorough security hardening.
Schema Design & Consumer Workshop
We run a schema design workshop with front-end, mobile, and backend stakeholders, mapping the types, queries, mutations, and subscriptions that serve real client requirements. The resulting SDL is reviewed and agreed before build begins.
Resolver Implementation
We build resolvers against the agreed schema, implementing DataLoader batching, authentication context, and error handling as we go. A development GraphQL Playground is available throughout so front-end teams can explore and test queries interactively.
Security Review, Performance Testing & Documentation
We configure query complexity limits, depth limits, and introspection policies. Automated tests cover all query and mutation paths. Schema documentation is generated and reviewed with stakeholders.
Azure Deployment & Monitoring
We deploy to your Azure environment with Application Insights instrumentation, tracking query performance, error rates, and resolver execution times. Persisted queries and Azure APIM integration are configured where in scope.
Frequently asked questions
Is GraphQL secure? Can anyone query anything?
GraphQL requires careful security configuration, introspection should be disabled in production for public APIs, query complexity and depth must be limited to prevent resource exhaustion, and field-level authorisation should be enforced in resolvers. We implement all of these as standard. GraphQL is not inherently less secure than REST, it just has different threat vectors to address.
What is the N+1 problem and how do you solve it?
The N+1 problem occurs when GraphQL resolvers make one database query per object in a list, fetching 100 orders triggers 100 separate author queries. We solve this using DataLoader, which batches resolver calls and de-duplicates them into a single query per data type per request. This is non-negotiable for any production GraphQL API.
Should we use Apollo, Hot Chocolate, or another GraphQL server?
For .NET environments we typically recommend Hot Chocolate, which has excellent Azure integration, strong federation support, and Active active development. For Node.js environments we use Apollo Server or GraphQL Yoga. We make recommendations based on your existing stack and team familiarity.
Can GraphQL go through Azure API Management?
Yes, Azure APIM has native GraphQL pass-through and schema validation support. This lets you enforce rate limits, apply subscription keys, and get analytics on query patterns through APIM's observability tooling. We configure APIM GraphQL support as part of the deployment. See our Azure API Management page.
What is schema federation and when do I need it?
Federation lets multiple teams own separate GraphQL subgraphs that are composed into a single supergraph by a router. It's the right choice when you have multiple backend teams contributing to a shared GraphQL API and need to avoid a single-team bottleneck. For smaller teams or a single GraphQL server, a monolithic schema is simpler and usually preferable.
Explore the wider integration picture
Ready to unblock your front-end teams with GraphQL?
Book a free consultation to discuss your data model, client diversity, and what a production-grade GraphQL project looks like with Talk Think Do.
Book a free consultationor call 01202 375647