---
sidebar_position: 1
keywords:
- components
sidebar_label: Introduction
title: Introduction
description: Getting started with GraphQL plugin
---

import AddedIn from '@site/src/components/MDX/AddedIn';

import PluginLicense from '@site/src/components/MDX/PluginLicense';

<PluginLicense url="#commercial-use" />

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---

[GraphQL](https://graphql.org/) is a query language and runtime for APIs that provides a complete and understandable description of the data in your API. It gives clients the power to ask for exactly what they need and nothing more, makes it easier to evolve APIs over time, and enables powerful developer tools.

Using the EventCatalog GraphQL generator you can generate and maintain your EventCatalog from your GraphQL schema files. 

### Core Features

The EventCatalog GraphQL plugin can provide you with many features:

- ⭐️ Generate domains, services and messages into your catalog from your GraphQL schema files
- ⭐️ [Map queries, mutations and subscriptions from your GraphQL schema](/docs/plugins/graphql/features#mapping-operations-as-queries-mutations-or-subscriptions)
- ⭐️ [Assign owners (your teams) to your services and messages all generated by your GraphQL schemas](/docs/plugins/graphql/features#assign-owners-to-your-domains-services-and-messages)
- ⭐️ [Add semantic meaning to your GraphQL schemas, persist this meaning between versions](/docs/plugins/graphql/features#persist-markdown)
- ⭐️ [Automatically version your changes in EventCatalog in sync with your GraphQL schema versions](#automatic-versioning)
- ⭐️ [Display your GraphQL schemas and operations in the catalog](#displaying-schemas)
- ⭐️ Ability to download your schemas and GraphQL files (also versioned)
- ⭐️ Ability to draft services and operations in EventCatalog from your GraphQL schemas
- ⭐️ and more....

### How it works

![Example](/img/integrations/graphql/graphql.png)

EventCatalog supports [generators](/docs/plugins/generators). These are scripts or plugins that can be run to integrate with any external API, system or specification files. EventCatalog also provides an [SDK](/docs/sdk) to give developers easier access to their catalogs through custom scripts or generators.

The EventCatalog GraphQL plugin let's you generate your catalog from one or more GraphQL schema files.

Your GraphQL schemas are parsed and transformed into services, domains and messages in your catalog.

This let's you visualize your architecture, assign owners to your services and much more.

## Commercial and License

This plugin requires a license key to be used.

You can get a 14 day trial license key to try the plugin out by going to [EventCatalog Cloud](https://eventcatalog.cloud).

After the trial you can purchase a license to continue using this plugin, we have different plans to suit your organization.

See [pricing](/pricing) for more information.

_Have any questions? You can email us at `hello@eventcatalog.dev`._

## License FAQ

### What is the license key for?
The license key is required to use the GraphQL plugin with EventCatalog. It helps support ongoing development and maintenance of the plugin and project.

### How do I get a license key?
You can obtain a license key by visiting [EventCatalog Cloud](https://eventcatalog.cloud). New users can start with a 14-day free trial.

### Terms
- **Trial Period**: 14 days free trial no credit card required
- **Support**: Discord community support (extra for priority support)

After your trial period ends, you can purchase a full license through [EventCatalog Cloud](https://eventcatalog.cloud) to continue using the plugin.