drf-partial-response-fields

GraphQL-like sparse fieldsets for Django REST Framework, with automatic query optimization so that requesting fewer fields also means fewer database queries and less data read off the wire.

GET /api/articles/1/?fields=title,author(name,email),tags(label)

Why this exists

Most "sparse fieldset" packages for DRF stop at filtering the serializer's output. They shrink the JSON payload but leave the ORM query untouched — you still pay for every select_related-worthy join and every SerializerMethodField computation, even for fields the client never asked for. drf-partial-response-fields does both halves of the job:

1. Output filtering — only the requested fields (and their requested nested sub-fields, at any depth) appear in the response.
2. Query optimization — select_related, prefetch_related, and only() are derived automatically from what was requested, including recursively-optimized nested Prefetch querysets.

See Performance for measured query-count reductions.

Where to go next

• New to the package? Start with Getting Started.
• Wiring it into an existing project? See Installation and Configuration.
• Want the full picture of how it works? Read Architecture.
• Looking for a specific class or setting? Jump to API Reference or Settings.
• Something not behaving as expected? Check Troubleshooting and the FAQ.

At a glance

Task	Where
Filter fields on a serializer	PartialFieldsSerializerMixin
Wire up a view/viewset	PartialResponseMixin
Optimize a SerializerMethodField	requires_related
Document ?fields= in OpenAPI	PartialResponseAutoSchema
Change the query parameter name, strictness, depth limit, etc.	Settings