OpenAPI Validator is a configurable and extensible linter for OpenAPI documents that validates compliance with OpenAPI 3.0.x and 3.1.x specifications.
The tool analyzes API definitions and reports problems found within them. It works by applying a set of validation rules to your OpenAPI document, with the ability to customize which rules apply and how strictly they are enforced. By default, it uses the IBM Cloud Validation Ruleset, but it can detect and use standard Spectral ruleset files if present in your project directory or parent directories. You can also explicitly specify a custom ruleset or force use of the default ruleset when alternatives exist. The validator supports both command-line and programmatic usage, with configurable output formats including text and JSON, and can generate markdown reports.
Teams should choose this tool if they need to enforce OpenAPI compliance standards across their API definitions, particularly those already using IBM Cloud practices or Spectral rulesets. It suits projects where API governance and consistency matter, whether you want to apply industry standards or custom organizational rules. The tool's support for Spectral rulesets means it integrates with existing Spectral-based workflows. Installation options include NPM, executable binaries, building from source, or running as a container image, making it flexible for different deployment scenarios.
The project maintains active development with regular updates to support evolving OpenAPI specifications. The codebase shows consistent refinement of validation rules and configuration options. Documentation is comprehensive, covering installation methods, configuration properties, output customization, and programmatic integration. The tool includes security considerations documented in the repository and supports extensibility through custom rules, allowing teams to adapt it to their specific compliance needs.
