Test the pdfRest API in Bruno

Set up Bruno and add your API key

Have Bruno installed, your pdfRest API key, and a small .docx file ready. You can use the PDF created in the first example for the second.

1. Create a local collection in Bruno named pdfRest examples to save the requests you build.
2. Create an environment named pdfRest Cloud. Add the variables below, using the US or EU address for base_url.
3. Mark api_key as a secret and enter your key. Save and select the environment.

Add these headers to each request. Leave Bruno’s authentication setting at No Auth because the key is sent in its own header.

Api-Key: {{api_key}}
Accept: application/json

Keep your key in the secret variable, not in shared request files. Let Bruno generate the multipart Content-Type header automatically.

1. Convert a Word document to PDF

Send your first request in about 60 seconds. With Bruno, your key, and a small file ready, select the file and send it. Installation, account setup, upload time, and processing time can take longer.

POST {{base_url}}/pdf

1. In your collection, create a new HTTP request named 01 Convert Word to PDF. Set the method to POST and the URL to {{base_url}}/pdf. Add the two headers shown above.
2. In Body, select Multipart Form. Add a row named file, set its type to File, and use its file picker to choose your .docx.
3. Send the request. A successful synchronous response returns HTTP 200 and JSON containing outputUrl, outputId, and inputId.
4. Open the returned outputUrl in your browser to retrieve the PDF. Check the converted document.

Read the response

{
  "outputUrl": "",
  "outputId": "",
  "inputId": ""
}

Illustrative response only. Your request returns actual URLs and IDs.

The response is JSON describing the result. The PDF is available at outputUrl; it is not the JSON response body. Keep the conversion response handy for example three.

2. Compress a PDF with one option

Create a second HTTP request named 02 Compress PDF upload. Set the method to POST, use the URL below, and add the same two headers. Choose Body → Multipart Form and add these fields. You can use the PDF you just downloaded.

POST {{base_url}}/compressed-pdf

Send the request and open its outputUrl. Compare the result with your input. Use low for lighter compression or high for stronger compression, with a possible tradeoff in output quality.

File-size reduction depends on the document. An already optimized PDF may not become smaller. The uploaded file on your computer remains unchanged.

3. Convert, then compress without a second upload

Example two uploads a PDF from your computer. This example uses the PDF that pdfRest already created in example one.

1. Return to the successful response from 01 Convert Word to PDF. Copy its outputId.
2. Paste that value into converted_pdf_id in your selected Bruno environment and save.
3. Create a third HTTP request named 03 Compress converted PDF by ID. Set it to POST {{base_url}}/compressed-pdf, add the same two headers, and add the multipart text fields shown below. Keep the same environment, region, and API key used for conversion.
4. Send the request. Open the new outputUrl to retrieve the compressed PDF.

Use outputId, not inputId. The conversion input is a Word document; its output is the PDF that Compress PDF needs. Use id instead of a file field in this request.

You have connected two processing steps with an API resource ID. The same pattern lets you build a PDF workflow without moving each intermediate file back through your application.

If a request does not work