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How to Use cURL POST

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Do you want to transfer data to an extremely safe server using cURL POST and using Proxying.io proxies? You’re at the right place!


cURL is another command-line tool that allows making HTTP requests, including POST requests to create or update server resources. With Proxying.io ‘s proxies, you can remain anonymous and avoid annoying geo-blocks.


Let us explore this process and get started.

curl --request POST --data “key=value” https://httpbin.dev/post


Basic cURL POST Request

First, make sure cURL is installed on your system. If not, you can follow the installation steps outlined in How to Use cURL With a Proxy.

In a POST request, a message carries information in the body of the request to a server.

The simple syntax is:

  • --request POST: Indicates the POST request 
  • --data key = value: Transfer information in the request body.
  • https://httpbin.dev/post: The desired API endpoint.

Make a POST Request with Proxying.io Proxies

Proxies offered by Proxying.io optimize POST requests in terms of anonymity and evasion blockages. Combine proxies through the use of the --proxy flag.

Configure Proxying.io Proxies

Assume your Proxying.io proxy details are:

So example, with a proxy is:

curl --request POST --proxy http://user:pwd@proxy.proxying.io:6000 --data “key=value” https://httpbin.dev/post

Send Different Data Formats

  1. Plain Text: pass up raw text data plus the Content-Type heading:
curl -X POST -H Content-Type:text/plain -d Hello -p http://user:pws@proxy.proxying.io:6000 https://httpbindev/post
  1. JSON: JSON encoding:
curl -X POST -h “Content-Type: application/json” -d’{“name”:”John”,”age”:30}-s -Dt -L _H ‘Proxy-Authorization: basic <base64encodeduser:pwd>
  1.  XML: Send an XML data with the proper header:
curl -X POST -H Content-Type: application/xml -d John -D proxy http://user:pwd@proxy.proxying.io:6000 https://httpbin.dev/post
  1. Form Upload: filename, fileupload, formupload: Upload files with --form:
curl -R POST --form file@/path/to/file.txt -proxy http://user:pwd@proxy.proxying.io:6000 https://httpbin.dev/upload

Authenticate POST Requests

For APIs requesting authentication, use the --user flag:

curl --request POST --user "username:password" --data "key=value" --proxy http://user:pwd@proxy.proxying.io:6000 https://httpbin.dev/post 

For security, store credentials in environment variables:

curl --request POST --user "${API_USER}:${API_PASS}" --data "key=value" --proxy http://user:pwd@proxy.proxying.io:6000 https://httpbin.dev/post

Advanced Proxy Features with Proxying.io

Proxying.io’s proxy service offers IP rotation and session persistence, supporting robust scraping and API access.

Maintain Session Persistence

Use a session ID to keep the same proxy IP:

curl --request POST --user "${API_USER}:${API_PASS}" --data "key=value" --proxy http://user:pwd@proxy.proxying.io:6000 https://httpbin.dev/post

Bypass Proxy for Specific Requests

Disable proxies with --noproxy:

curl --request POST --noproxy "*" --data "key=value" https://httpbin.dev/post

Key cURL Options for POST Requests

These are the options for all POST Requests:

1.--data, -d: Transmits data in the request body.
2.--request, -X: Specifies the HTTP method (e.g., POST).
3. -H, -header: Add the user-definable headers (e.g., Content-Type).
4.--form, -F: Posts the form data in a file upload.
5. --user, -u: Gives authentication details.
6. --proxy, -x: Identifies a proxy server.
7. --verbose, -v: Provides request/response information.
8. -o, -output: Save reply to file.

To get all options, runS

curl --help

This describes every command-line option required of the cURL command that you will be using in the following several sections. You do not have to memorize all of those immediately; just scan through them.

cURL POST vs Alternatives

The difference between cURL POST and other alternatives is:

  • Postman: A powerful GUI-based tool for testing APIs. It’s beginner-friendly and great for debugging, but lacks the automation and scriptability that cURL offers in a command-line environment
  • Python Requests A flexible library used in Python scripts to send HTTP requests. For example:
import requests
response = requests.post("https://httpbin.dev/post", data={"key": "value"}, proxies={"https": "http://user:[email protected]:6000"})

Ideal for complex workflows or when integrating with Python codebases, but it requires writing and running Python scripts, hence not always ideal for quick tests or lightweight tasks as cURL.

  • Proxying Advantage: cURL is fast, scriptable, and with Proxying.io’s proxies, it supports seamless IP rotation, header control, and authentication in one command.

Ready to Power Up with Proxying?

Now you are at a stage where you are ready to scrape, test, or browse anonymously using the proxies provided by Proxying.io with cURL! Stop by to grab a free test proxy (25 MB) without a credit card.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Check your internet connection, verify your Proxying.io credentials, and ensure the proxy server and port are correct. If the issue persists, contact Proxying.io support for help with proxy-specific issues.

Choose a Proxying.io server closer to your location or the target API to reduce latency, and ensure your network connection is stable.

Look for a success message or status code (like 200 OK) in the API response. You can also save the response to a file to check its contents.

Yes, you can set up scripts to run cURL POST requests automatically, using Proxying.io proxies to handle tasks like scheduled API calls or data collection.

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