Merge pull request #990 from objectstack-ai/copilot/unify-api-query-syntax-spec-format

feat: unify API query syntax to Spec canonical format across all layers

Author: hotlong

ROADMAP.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # ObjectStack Protocol — Road Map
 
-> **Last Updated:** 2026-02-28  
+> **Last Updated:** 2026-03-27  
 > **Current Version:** v3.0.11  
 > **Status:** Protocol Specification Complete · Runtime Implementation In Progress
 
@@ -129,6 +129,7 @@ This strategy ensures rapid iteration while maintaining a clear path to producti
 | Dispatcher async `getService` bug fix | ✅ | All `getService`/`getObjectQLService` calls in `http-dispatcher.ts` now properly `await` async service factories. Covers `handleAnalytics`, `handleAuth`, `handleStorage`, `handleAutomation`, `handleMetadata`, `handleUi`, `handlePackages`. All 7 framework adapters (Express, Fastify, Hono, Next.js, SvelteKit, NestJS, Nuxt) updated to use `getServiceAsync()` for auth service resolution. |
 | Analytics `getMetadata` → `getMeta` naming fix | ✅ | `handleAnalytics` in `http-dispatcher.ts` called `getMetadata({ request })` which didn't match the `IAnalyticsService` contract (`getMeta(cubeName?: string)`). Renamed to `getMeta()` and aligned call signature. Updated test mocks accordingly. |
 | Unified ID/audit/tenant field naming | ✅ | Eliminated `_id`/`modified_at`/`modified_by`/`space_id` from protocol layer. All protocol code uses `id`, `updated_at`, `updated_by`, `tenant_id` per `SystemFieldName`. Storage-layer (NoSQL driver internals) retains `_id` for MongoDB/Mingo compat. |
+| **Query syntax canonical unification** | ✅ | All layers (Client SDK, React Hooks, Studio QueryBuilder, HTTP Dispatcher, docs) unified to Spec canonical field names (`where`/`fields`/`orderBy`/`limit`/`offset`/`expand`). `QueryOptionsV2` interface added. Legacy names (`filter`/`select`/`sort`/`top`/`skip`) accepted with `@deprecated` markers. HTTP Dispatcher normalizes transport params to canonical QueryAST before broker dispatch. |
 
 ---
 

apps/studio/src/components/QueryBuilder.tsx

@@ -83,26 +83,26 @@ function buildQueryJson(objectName: string, state: QueryState): Record<string, u
   const query: Record<string, unknown> = { object: objectName };
 
   if (state.selectedFields.length > 0) {
-    query.select = state.selectedFields;
+    query.fields = state.selectedFields;
   }
 
   if (state.filters.length > 0) {
-    query.filters = state.filters.map((f) => ({
+    query.where = state.filters.map((f) => ({
       field: f.field,
       operator: f.operator,
       value: f.value,
     }));
   }
 
   if (state.sorts.length > 0) {
-    query.sort = state.sorts.map((s) => ({
+    query.orderBy = state.sorts.map((s) => ({
       field: s.field,
-      direction: s.direction,
+      order: s.direction,
     }));
   }
 
-  if (state.limit > 0) query.top = state.limit;
-  if (state.offset > 0) query.skip = state.offset;
+  if (state.limit > 0) query.limit = state.limit;
+  if (state.offset > 0) query.offset = state.offset;
 
   return query;
 }

content/docs/guides/client-sdk.mdx

@@ -44,10 +44,10 @@ async function main() {
 
   // 3. Query data
   const tasks = await client.data.find('todo_task', {
-    select: ['subject', 'priority'],
-    filters: ['priority', '>=', 2],
-    sort: ['-priority'],
-    top: 10
+    fields: ['subject', 'priority'],
+    where: { priority: { $gte: 2 } },
+    orderBy: ['-priority'],
+    limit: 10
   });
 
   // 4. Create a record
@@ -161,11 +161,11 @@ const listView = await client.meta.getView('account', 'list');
 ```typescript
 // Find with query options
 const accounts = await client.data.find('account', {
-  select: ['name', 'industry', 'revenue'],
-  filters: ['industry', '=', 'Technology'],
-  sort: ['-revenue'],
-  top: 20,
-  skip: 0,
+  fields: ['name', 'industry', 'revenue'],
+  where: { industry: 'Technology' },
+  orderBy: ['-revenue'],
+  limit: 20,
+  offset: 0,
 });
 
 // Get by ID
@@ -359,15 +359,20 @@ const filter = createFilter()
 
 ## Query Options
 
-The `find` method accepts an options object:
+The `find` method accepts an options object with **canonical** (recommended) field names:
 
 | Property | Type | Description | Example |
 |:---------|:-----|:------------|:--------|
-| `select` | `string[]` | Fields to retrieve | `['name', 'email']` |
-| `filters` | `Map` or `AST` | Filter criteria | `['status', '=', 'active']` |
-| `sort` | `string` or `string[]` | Sort order | `['-created_at']` |
-| `top` | `number` | Limit records | `20` |
-| `skip` | `number` | Offset for pagination | `0` |
+| `where` | `Object` or `FilterCondition` | Filter conditions (WHERE clause) | `{ status: 'active' }` |
+| `fields` | `string[]` | Fields to retrieve (SELECT) | `['name', 'email']` |
+| `orderBy` | `string` or `string[]` or `SortNode[]` | Sort order (ORDER BY) | `['-created_at']` |
+| `limit` | `number` | Max records to return (LIMIT) | `20` |
+| `offset` | `number` | Records to skip (OFFSET) | `0` |
+| `expand` | `Record<string, any>` or `string[]` | Relation loading (JOIN) | `{ owner: {} }` |
+
+<Callout type="warn">
+**Deprecated aliases:** The following legacy field names are still accepted for backward compatibility but will be removed in a future major version: `select` → `fields`, `filter`/`filters` → `where`, `sort` → `orderBy`, `top` → `limit`, `skip` → `offset`.
+</Callout>
 
 ### Batch Options
 
@@ -457,9 +462,9 @@ function App() {
 // 2. Use hooks in child components
 function AccountList() {
   const { data, isLoading, error, refetch } = useQuery('account', {
-    filters: ['status', '=', 'active'],
-    sort: ['-created_at'],
-    top: 20,
+    where: { status: 'active' },
+    orderBy: ['-created_at'],
+    limit: 20,
   });
 
   if (isLoading) return <div>Loading...</div>;

content/docs/protocol/objectos/http-protocol.mdx

@@ -127,14 +127,22 @@ GET /{base_path}/{object_name}
 
 **Query Parameters:**
 
-| Parameter | Type | Description | Example |
-|-----------|------|-------------|---------|
-| `select` | string | Comma-separated field list | `id,name,status` |
-| `filter` | JSON | Filter criteria (see Filtering section) | `{"status":"active"}` |
-| `sort` | string | Sort fields (prefix `-` for desc) | `-created_at,name` |
-| `page` | number | Page number (1-indexed) | `2` |
-| `per_page` | number | Items per page (max from limits) | `50` |
-| `include` | string | Related objects to embed | `assignee,comments` |
+| Parameter | Type | Description | Canonical Equivalent | Example |
+|-----------|------|-------------|---------------------|---------|
+| `select` | string | Comma-separated field list | `fields` | `id,name,status` |
+| `filter` | JSON | Filter criteria (see Filtering section) | `where` | `{"status":"active"}` |
+| `sort` | string | Sort fields (prefix `-` for desc) | `orderBy` | `-created_at,name` |
+| `top` | number | Max records to return | `limit` | `25` |
+| `skip` | number | Records to skip (offset) | `offset` | `50` |
+| `expand` | string | Related objects to embed | `expand` | `assignee,comments` |
+| `page` | number | Page number (1-indexed) | — | `2` |
+| `per_page` | number | Items per page (max from limits) | — | `50` |
+
+> **Transport → Protocol normalization:** The HTTP dispatcher normalizes transport-level
+> parameter names to Spec canonical (QueryAST) field names before forwarding to the
+> broker layer: `filter`→`where`, `select`→`fields`, `sort`→`orderBy`, `top`→`limit`,
+> `skip`→`offset`. The deprecated `filters` (plural) parameter is also accepted and
+> normalized to `where`.
 
 **Example Request:**
 ```http

packages/client-react/src/data-hooks.tsx

@@ -13,20 +13,47 @@ import { useClient } from './context';
 
 /**
  * Query options for useQuery hook
+ *
+ * Supports both **canonical** (Spec protocol) and **legacy** field names.
+ * Canonical names are preferred; legacy names are accepted for backward
+ * compatibility and will be removed in a future major release.
+ *
+ * | Canonical | Legacy (deprecated) |
+ * |-----------|---------------------|
+ * | `where`   | `filters`           |
+ * | `fields`  | `select`            |
+ * | `orderBy` | `sort`              |
+ * | `limit`   | `top`               |
+ * | `offset`  | `skip`              |
  */
 export interface UseQueryOptions<T = any> {
   /** Query AST or simplified query options */
   query?: Partial<QueryAST>;
-  /** Simple field selection */
+
+  // ── Canonical (Spec protocol) field names ──────────────────────────
+  /** Filter conditions (WHERE clause). */
+  where?: FilterCondition;
+  /** Fields to retrieve (SELECT clause). */
+  fields?: string[];
+  /** Sort definition (ORDER BY clause). */
+  orderBy?: string | string[];
+  /** Maximum number of records to return (LIMIT). */
+  limit?: number;
+  /** Number of records to skip (OFFSET). */
+  offset?: number;
+
+  // ── Legacy field names (deprecated) ────────────────────────────────
+  /** @deprecated Use `fields` instead. */
   select?: string[];
-  /** Simple filters */
+  /** @deprecated Use `where` instead. */
   filters?: FilterCondition;
-  /** Sort configuration */
+  /** @deprecated Use `orderBy` instead. */
   sort?: string | string[];
-  /** Limit results */
+  /** @deprecated Use `limit` instead. */
   top?: number;
-  /** Skip results (for pagination) */
+  /** @deprecated Use `offset` instead. */
   skip?: number;
+
   /** Enable/disable automatic query execution */
   enabled?: boolean;
   /** Refetch interval in milliseconds */
@@ -60,9 +87,9 @@ export interface UseQueryResult<T = any> {
  * ```tsx
  * function TaskList() {
  *   const { data, isLoading, error, refetch } = useQuery('todo_task', {
- *     select: ['id', 'subject', 'priority'],
- *     sort: ['-created_at'],
- *     top: 20
+ *     fields: ['id', 'subject', 'priority'],
+ *     orderBy: ['-created_at'],
+ *     limit: 20
  *   });
  * 
  *   if (isLoading) return <div>Loading...</div>;
@@ -91,17 +118,23 @@ export function useQuery<T = any>(
 
   const {
     query,
-    select,
-    filters,
-    sort,
-    top,
-    skip,
+    // Canonical names take precedence over legacy names
+    where, fields, orderBy, limit, offset,
+    // Legacy names (deprecated fallbacks)
+    select, filters, sort, top, skip,
     enabled = true,
     refetchInterval,
     onSuccess,
     onError
   } = options;
 
+  // Resolve canonical vs legacy: canonical wins when both are provided
+  const resolvedFields = fields ?? select;
+  const resolvedWhere = where ?? filters;
+  const resolvedSort = orderBy ?? sort;
+  const resolvedLimit = limit ?? top;
+  const resolvedOffset = offset ?? skip;
+
   const fetchData = useCallback(async (isRefetch = false) => {
     if (!enabled) return;
 
@@ -119,13 +152,13 @@ export function useQuery<T = any>(
         // Use advanced query API
         result = await client.data.query<T>(object, query);
       } else {
-        // Use simplified find API
+        // Use canonical QueryOptionsV2 for the find call
         result = await client.data.find<T>(object, {
-          select,
-          filters: filters as any,
-          sort,
-          top,
-          skip
+          where: resolvedWhere as any,
+          fields: resolvedFields,
+          orderBy: resolvedSort,
+          limit: resolvedLimit,
+          offset: resolvedOffset,
         });
       }
 
@@ -139,7 +172,7 @@ export function useQuery<T = any>(
       setIsLoading(false);
       setIsRefetching(false);
     }
-  }, [client, object, query, select, filters, sort, top, skip, enabled, onSuccess, onError]);
+  }, [client, object, query, resolvedFields, resolvedWhere, resolvedSort, resolvedLimit, resolvedOffset, enabled, onSuccess, onError]);
 
   // Initial fetch and dependency-based refetch
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -319,7 +352,7 @@ export function useMutation<TData = any, TVariables = any>(
 /**
  * Pagination options for usePagination hook
  */
-export interface UsePaginationOptions<T = any> extends Omit<UseQueryOptions<T>, 'top' | 'skip'> {
+export interface UsePaginationOptions<T = any> extends Omit<UseQueryOptions<T>, 'top' | 'skip' | 'limit' | 'offset'> {
   /** Page size */
   pageSize?: number;
   /** Initial page (1-based) */
@@ -365,7 +398,7 @@ export interface UsePaginationResult<T = any> extends UseQueryResult<T> {
  *     hasPreviousPage
  *   } = usePagination('todo_task', {
  *     pageSize: 10,
- *     sort: ['-created_at']
+ *     orderBy: ['-created_at']
  *   });
  * 
  *   return (
@@ -388,8 +421,8 @@ export function usePagination<T = any>(
 
   const queryResult = useQuery<T>(object, {
     ...queryOptions,
-    top: pageSize,
-    skip: (page - 1) * pageSize
+    limit: pageSize,
+    offset: (page - 1) * pageSize
   });
 
   const totalCount = queryResult.data?.total || 0;
@@ -430,7 +463,7 @@ export function usePagination<T = any>(
 /**
  * Infinite query options for useInfiniteQuery hook
  */
-export interface UseInfiniteQueryOptions<T = any> extends Omit<UseQueryOptions<T>, 'skip'> {
+export interface UseInfiniteQueryOptions<T = any> extends Omit<UseQueryOptions<T>, 'skip' | 'offset'> {
   /** Page size for each fetch */
   pageSize?: number;
   /** Get next page parameter */
@@ -473,7 +506,7 @@ export interface UseInfiniteQueryResult<T = any> {
  *     isFetchingNextPage
  *   } = useInfiniteQuery('todo_task', {
  *     pageSize: 20,
- *     sort: ['-created_at']
+ *     orderBy: ['-created_at']
  *   });
  * 
  *   return (
@@ -498,14 +531,20 @@ export function useInfiniteQuery<T = any>(
     pageSize = 20,
     // getNextPageParam is reserved for future use
     query,
-    select,
-    filters,
-    sort,
+    // Canonical names take precedence over legacy names
+    where, fields, orderBy,
+    // Legacy names (deprecated fallbacks)
+    select, filters, sort,
     enabled = true,
     onSuccess,
     onError
   } = options;
 
+  // Resolve canonical vs legacy: canonical wins
+  const resolvedFields = fields ?? select;
+  const resolvedWhere = where ?? filters;
+  const resolvedSort = orderBy ?? sort;
+
   const [pages, setPages] = useState<PaginatedResult<T>[]>([]);
   const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(true);
   const [isFetchingNextPage, setIsFetchingNextPage] = useState(false);
@@ -531,11 +570,11 @@ export function useInfiniteQuery<T = any>(
         });
       } else {
         result = await client.data.find<T>(object, {
-          select,
-          filters: filters as any,
-          sort,
-          top: pageSize,
-          skip
+          where: resolvedWhere as any,
+          fields: resolvedFields,
+          orderBy: resolvedSort,
+          limit: pageSize,
+          offset: skip,
         });
       }
 
@@ -559,7 +598,7 @@ export function useInfiniteQuery<T = any>(
       setIsLoading(false);
       setIsFetchingNextPage(false);
     }
-  }, [client, object, query, select, filters, sort, pageSize, onSuccess, onError]);
+  }, [client, object, query, resolvedFields, resolvedWhere, resolvedSort, pageSize, onSuccess, onError]);
 
   // Initial fetch
   useEffect(() => {

packages/client/README.md

@@ -147,12 +147,15 @@ Initializes the client by fetching the system discovery manifest from `/api/v1`.
 - `setDefault(id, object)`: Set a view as default for an object.
 
 ### Query Options
-The `find` method accepts an options object:
-- `select`: Array of field names to retrieve.
-- `filters`: Simple key-value map OR Filter AST `['field', 'op', 'value']`.
-- `sort`: Sort string (`'name'`) or array `['-created_at', 'name']`.
-- `top`: Limit number of records.
-- `skip`: Offset for pagination.
+The `find` method accepts an options object with canonical field names:
+- `where`: Filter conditions (WHERE clause). Accepts object or FilterCondition AST.
+- `fields`: Array of field names to retrieve (SELECT clause).
+- `orderBy`: Sort definition — `'name'`, `['-created_at', 'name']`, or `SortNode[]`.
+- `limit`: Maximum number of records to return (LIMIT).
+- `offset`: Number of records to skip (OFFSET).
+- `expand`: Relations to expand (JOIN / eager-load).
+
+> **Deprecated aliases** (accepted for backward compatibility): `select` → `fields`, `filter`/`filters` → `where`, `sort` → `orderBy`, `top` → `limit`, `skip` → `offset`.
 
 ### Batch Options
 Batch operations support the following options: