API linter with configurable rules for OpenAPI, AsyncAPI, and GraphQL — also known as spec linter, quality gate, or OpenAPI validator. Enforce style guides automatically, catch security violations, and make spec quality measurable — straight in the merge request.
// Definition
An API linter validates API specifications automatically against a rule set. Instead of manual senior reviews, a team defines its style guide once and every spec is validated on commit — in seconds, not hours.
Unlike a generic YAML validator, the API linter understands the semantics of OpenAPI 3.x, AsyncAPI 2.x, and GraphQL — a native lint engine enforces both bundled and custom rules.
Fast feedback in the merge request instead of comments long after the push: findings land as PR comments with line references and auto-fix suggestions.
// Three problems
Every team brews its own — naming, path structures, auth schemas. The spec linter enforces a consistent style guide across teams.
Forgotten auth schemas, unprotected sensitive data, missing rate limits. The quality gate covers OWASP API Top 10 before every merge.
Otherwise errors only surface in staging. In our Fortune-500 enterprise projects, style guide compliance typically reaches a very high level — by roughly 99% in our experience — backed by 15+ years of expertise in API governance.
// Rule categories
A good API linter is more than a syntax check. Four rule categories cover style, security, performance, and compliance — each individually toggleable and tunable to team standards.
camelCase fuer Properties
Required Fields pruefen
Auth auf allen Endpoints
Response Examples vorhanden
// API lint workflow
The API linter runs as a quality gate in the CI/CD pipeline — three steps from push to approved merge.
On push, the CI triggers the linter. OpenAPI, AsyncAPI, or GraphQL — format detected automatically. Validation runs in under 2 seconds, even for specs with 500+ endpoints.
Errors block the merge, warnings get commented in the PR, info notes feed the quality score. Every finding has a line reference, an explanation, and an auto-fix suggestion — no guesswork.
Developers fix straight in the editor (the IDE plugin suggests corrections), or architects approve exceptions with a reason. Quality score climbs, audit trail records every decision.
// Capabilities
Validate OpenAPI, AsyncAPI, RAML, SOAP, GraphQL, Swagger, and Arazzo specs — in a single linter run, no format switching.
Automatic quality score (0–100) for every API spec. Track quality across versions, identify hotspots, set minimum thresholds.
GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins, Azure DevOps — the API linter runs natively in any pipeline. Pre-commit hook and IDE plugin for instant feedback.
// Custom rules
150+ rules out of the box plus custom rules in YAML or JavaScript. Severity classification (error, warning, info) allows gradual rollout — from "hint" to "block merge" sprint by sprint, no wiki maintenance needed.
camelCase fuer Properties
Required Fields pruefen
Auth auf allen Endpoints
Response Examples vorhanden
// Comparison
Many API teams review specs by hand or rely on YAML syntax validators — without semantic understanding. A dedicated API linter validates OpenAPI semantics and enforces style guides. For platform engineers, API architects, and tech leads who want to scale governance — from 5 to 500 APIs.
A senior reviews every spec by hand. Works at 5 APIs, collapses at 50+. Subjective standards, long PR waits, missed edge cases.
API linter: automated quality gate, <2s per spec.
Check syntax only, not semantics. A valid YAML file can describe a broken API — missing auth schemas, inconsistent naming, security gaps go undetected.
API linter: semantic OpenAPI/AsyncAPI/GraphQL validation.
A Confluence page titled "API standards" — read by 20%, followed by 40%. Standards drift, every team brews its own, compliance becomes theater.
API linter: style guide as code, automatically enforced.
// FAQ
Short answers for platform engineers and API architects.
Get in touch// Discover more
// Deep dive
Practice know-how on style guides, spec-first workflows, and quality gates.
Which lint rules belong in the style guide, how security schemas get checked, and where linters fall short.
Read articleFrom design review to mock server to production deploy. How API teams adopt spec-first in practice.
Read articleWhen senior reviews still suffice and when CI takes over. With a decision matrix for platform teams.
Read articleExperience the API linter as a quality gate for OpenAPI, AsyncAPI, and GraphQL — catch spec errors before they reach production.