Get random element from Graphcool?

Is it possible to return a random graphql element from a Graphcool backend? If so, how could this be done?

Alternatively, any tips on howto create custom queries for Graphcool backends?

The best way to do this is by using the API Gateway pattern.

The idea of that approach is to put a gateway server on top of Graphcool's CRUD API and thus customize the API. With this approach, you'd write an additional resolver function that retrieves the random element for you:

const extendTypeDefs = `
  extend type Query {
    randomItem: Item
  }
`

const mergedSchemas = mergeSchemas({
  schemas: [graphcoolSchema, extendTypeDefs],
  resolvers: mergeInfo => ({
    Query: {
      randomItem: {
        resolve: () => {
          return request(endpoint, allItemsQuery).then(data => {
            const { count } = data._allItemsMeta
            const randomIndex = Math.floor((Math.random() * (count-1)) + 0)
            const { id } = data.allItems[randomIndex]
            return request(endpoint, singleItemQuery, { id }).then(data => data.Item)
          })
        },
      }
    },
  }),
})

I created a full example of this here. Let me know if you have any additional questions :)