Rext HTTP 0.0.9 — Dynamic Built-in Variables

We’re excited to announce Rext HTTP v0.0.9 — a major update to the variable system bringing 18 built-in dynamic variables that generate values at runtime.

Dynamic Variables with `$` Prefix

Use {{$variableName}} to generate dynamic values every time a request is executed. Each occurrence produces a unique value — two {{$uuid}} in the same request generate two different UUIDs.

POST {{baseUrl}}/api/orders
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "id": "{{$uuid}}",
  "timestamp": {{$timestamp}},
  "deliveryDate": "{{$date:+30:YYYY-MM-DD}}",
  "priority": {{$randomInt:1:5}},
  "status": "{{$enum:pending,processing,shipped}}",
  "contactEmail": "{{$randomEmail}}"
}

6 Categories, 18 Variables

⏱ Timestamps

{{$timestamp}}, {{$timestampMs}}, {{$isoTimestamp}}, {{$localTimestamp}}

📅 Date Formatting

{{$date}} with custom tokens (YYYY, MM, DD, HH, mm, ss, MMM, MMMM) and day offset:

{{$date:DD/MM/YYYY}} → 26/02/2026
{{$date:+7:YYYY-MM-DD}} → 7 days from now
{{$date:-30:DD-MMM-YYYY}} → 30 days ago

🔑 UUIDs

{{$uuid}}, {{$guid}}, {{$uuidV1}}, {{$uuidV4}}

🎲 Random Generators

{{$randomInt:1:100}}, {{$randomFloat:0:1:2}}, {{$randomString:32}}, {{$randomHex:8}}, {{$randomEmail}}, {{$randomBoolean}}

Parameters use : as separator. $randomInt and $randomFloat also accept commas ({{$randomInt:1,100}}).

📋 Enum (Pick from List)

Select a random value from a predefined list:

{{$enum:pending,active,closed}}
{{$enum:200,201,400,404,500}}
{{$enum:"hello, world","goodbye",ok}} — use quotes for values containing commas

🌍 Metadata

{{$env}} — returns the name of the active environment.

Editor Experience

Gold syntax highlighting — Built-in $ variables render in gold (#dcdcaa), distinct from user-defined variables
Smart autocomplete — Type {{$ and see all available variables with descriptions and examples
Parameter snippets — Variables with parameters auto-insert with tab stops (e.g., $randomInt:0:1000)
Hover tooltips — Hover any $variable to see its description and an example value
Sidebar — New “Built-in ⚡” section in the Variables panel listing all available dynamic variables

Variable Resolution Order

The new resolution priority is:

Built-in ($) → 1. Session → 2. Collection → 3. Environment → 4. Global

Built-in variables always take precedence, ensuring {{$timestamp}} always generates a fresh value regardless of any user variable named $timestamp.

Get Started

Update your extension from the marketplace or download the .vsix from our GitHub.

Check the variables documentation for the complete reference.

Dynamic Variables with $ Prefix