openapi-typescript vs swagger-typescript-api
TypeScript API Client Generators Comparison
1 Year
openapi-typescriptswagger-typescript-api
What's TypeScript API Client Generators?

TypeScript API client generators are tools that automate the creation of TypeScript clients for APIs defined using OpenAPI or Swagger specifications. These packages help developers quickly generate type-safe API clients, reducing the boilerplate code and ensuring that the client is always in sync with the API specifications. This leads to improved productivity and fewer runtime errors, as the generated code adheres to the defined API contract.

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openapi-typescript1,763,7506,442530 kB12425 days agoMIT
swagger-typescript-api280,468-1 MB-3 months agoMIT
Feature Comparison: openapi-typescript vs swagger-typescript-api

Type Safety

  • openapi-typescript:

    openapi-typescript generates TypeScript types directly from OpenAPI specifications, ensuring that the client code is type-safe and reflects the API's structure. This minimizes the risk of runtime errors due to type mismatches and provides better autocompletion and documentation in IDEs.

  • swagger-typescript-api:

    swagger-typescript-api also generates TypeScript types but goes further by creating a complete API client with methods that are type-safe. This means that not only are the types generated, but the methods for making API calls are also strongly typed, enhancing the overall safety and reliability of the API interactions.

Customization

  • openapi-typescript:

    openapi-typescript offers limited customization options, focusing primarily on generating types from the OpenAPI definition. It is designed to be straightforward and efficient, making it easy to integrate into existing projects without much overhead.

  • swagger-typescript-api:

    swagger-typescript-api provides extensive customization options, allowing developers to modify the generated API client according to their specific needs. This includes customizing method names, adding interceptors, and configuring request/response handling, making it a more flexible choice for complex applications.

Ease of Use

  • openapi-typescript:

    openapi-typescript is easy to use and integrates well with existing TypeScript projects. Its straightforward approach to generating types means that developers can quickly get started without needing to understand complex configurations.

  • swagger-typescript-api:

    swagger-typescript-api, while also user-friendly, may require a bit more setup due to its additional features. However, once configured, it provides a powerful and flexible API client that can adapt to various project requirements.

Community and Support

  • openapi-typescript:

    openapi-typescript has a growing community and is actively maintained, but it may not have as extensive documentation or community support as some larger projects. This can lead to challenges for developers seeking help or examples.

  • swagger-typescript-api:

    swagger-typescript-api benefits from a larger user base and more extensive documentation, making it easier for developers to find support, tutorials, and community-contributed resources.

Integration with Build Tools

  • openapi-typescript:

    openapi-typescript can be easily integrated into build processes using npm scripts or other task runners, allowing for automated generation of types whenever the API specification changes.

  • swagger-typescript-api:

    swagger-typescript-api also supports integration with build tools, but its more complex features may require additional configuration to fully leverage its capabilities in automated workflows.

How to Choose: openapi-typescript vs swagger-typescript-api
  • openapi-typescript:

    Choose openapi-typescript if you need a lightweight solution that focuses on generating TypeScript types from OpenAPI specifications. It is ideal for projects where you want to maintain a clear separation between the API definitions and the client code, allowing for easy updates and modifications to the API without affecting the client implementation.

  • swagger-typescript-api:

    Choose swagger-typescript-api if you require a more comprehensive solution that not only generates TypeScript types but also includes features like customizable API methods, request/response interceptors, and automatic handling of authentication. This package is better suited for projects that demand a more integrated approach to API client generation.

README for openapi-typescript
openapi-typescript

openapi-typescript turns OpenAPI 3.0 & 3.1 schemas into TypeScript quickly using Node.js. No Java/node-gyp/running OpenAPI servers necessary.

The code is MIT-licensed and free for use.

Tip: New to OpenAPI? Speakeasy’s Intro to OpenAPI is an accessible guide to newcomers that explains the “why” and “how” of OpenAPI.

Features

  • ✅ Supports OpenAPI 3.0 and 3.1 (including advanced features like discriminators)
  • ✅ Generate runtime-free types that outperform old school codegen
  • ✅ Load schemas from YAML or JSON, locally or remotely
  • ✅ Generate types for even huge schemas within milliseconds

Note: OpenAPI 2.x is supported with versions 5.x and previous

Examples

👀 See examples

Setup

This library requires the latest version of Node.js installed (20.x or higher recommended). With that present, run the following in your project:

npm i -D openapi-typescript typescript

And in your tsconfig.json, to load the types properly:

{
  "compilerOptions": {
+    "module": "ESNext", // or "NodeNext"
+    "moduleResolution": "Bundler" // or "NodeNext"
  }
}

Highly recommended

Also adding the following can boost type safety:

{
  "compilerOptions": {
+    "noUncheckedIndexedAccess": true
  }
}

Basic usage

First, generate a local type file by running npx openapi-typescript, first specifying your input schema (JSON or YAML), and where you’d like the --output (-o) to be saved:

# Local schema
npx openapi-typescript ./path/to/my/schema.yaml -o ./path/to/my/schema.d.ts
# 🚀 ./path/to/my/schema.yaml -> ./path/to/my/schema.d.ts [7ms]

# Remote schema
npx openapi-typescript https://myapi.dev/api/v1/openapi.yaml -o ./path/to/my/schema.d.ts
# 🚀 https://myapi.dev/api/v1/openapi.yaml -> ./path/to/my/schema.d.ts [250ms]

Then in your TypeScript project, import types where needed:

import type { paths, components } from "./my-openapi-3-schema"; // generated by openapi-typescript

// Schema Obj
type MyType = components["schemas"]["MyType"];

// Path params
type EndpointParams = paths["/my/endpoint"]["parameters"];

// Response obj
type SuccessResponse =
  paths["/my/endpoint"]["get"]["responses"][200]["content"]["application/json"]["schema"];
type ErrorResponse =
  paths["/my/endpoint"]["get"]["responses"][500]["content"]["application/json"]["schema"];

From here, you can use these types for any of the following (but not limited to):

  • Using an OpenAPI-supported fetch client (like openapi-fetch)
  • Asserting types for other API requestBodies and responses
  • Building core business logic based on API types
  • Validating mock test data is up-to-date with the current schema
  • Packaging API types into any npm packages you publish (such as client SDKs, etc.)

📓 Docs

View Docs