Why We Built Our Own OpenAPI Linter (And How It Compares)

APIs are crucial to modern software, and as OpenAPI specifications grow in complexity, existing linters like Spectral and Vacuum face performance challenges with large specs. Spectral, while popular, struggles with scale and requires Node.js, whereas Vacuum, although faster and Go-native, consumes more memory. In response, Speakeasy developed its own OpenAPI linter, part of their openapi CLI, aiming for a balance of speed, memory efficiency, and thoroughness. Their linter, built on a Go library, outperforms alternatives in benchmarks, finding more issues while using less memory and maintaining no runtime dependencies. Despite having fewer built-in rules and output formats, it excels in handling large specs efficiently. Speakeasy's linter reflects a commitment to ongoing development, seeking user feedback to improve its ecosystem and expand its rule set.