Launched January 21, 2025
OpenAPI DevTools
Browser extension that generates API specs for any app or website
FreeAPIMonitoringOpen Source1,049 impressions#14 of its week
OpenAPI DevTools is a browser extension that generates OpenAPI specifications in real time from network requests. Once installed it adds a new tab to DevTools called OpenAPI. While the tool is open it automatically converts network requests into a specification.
OpenAPI DevTools is a Chrome extension that generates OpenAPI 3.1 specs in real time from network requests.
- for
- Web developers who need to document APIs of any site or app quickly.
- pricing
- free
works withChrome DevTools
Key features
5 features of OpenAPI DevTools
- Real-time spec generation — Creates an OpenAPI 3.1 specification instantly as network requests occur.
- Automatic merging — Merges new request/response headers, bodies and query parameters per endpoint automatically.
- Path-parameter assistance — Click a path parameter to merge existing and future matching requests.
- In-tool view & download — Shows the spec inside the extension and lets you download it with one click.
- Session export & sharing — Export a recording session at any time and share it with others.
Use cases
- Document the API of a third-party web app without manual coding.
- Generate up-to-date OpenAPI specs while debugging network traffic.
- Export a spec to feed into API documentation generators.
- Share a captured API session with teammates for review.
- Merge evolving request details automatically during development.
OpenAPI DevTools vs alternatives
 OpenAPI DevTools |  Postman |  Insomnia |  Bruno |  Datadog | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Live OpenAPI generation in the browser | Comprehensive API lifecycle management | Desktop API client | Offline-first API client | Monitoring and security |
| Pricing | Free | Subscription | Free | Free | Subscription |
| DevHunt upvotes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Launched | Jan 2025 | — | — | — | — |
- OpenAPI DevTools vs Postman: Postman is a full-featured API platform for design, testing and documentation, not a live spec generator.
- OpenAPI DevTools vs Insomnia: Insomnia provides a desktop client for API testing and documentation, whereas OpenAPI DevTools works inside the browser.
- OpenAPI DevTools vs Bruno: Bruno is an offline-first, Git-friendly API client; OpenAPI DevTools focuses on automatic spec capture from traffic.
- OpenAPI DevTools vs Datadog: Datadog is an observability platform, not a tool for generating OpenAPI specs.
OpenAPI DevTools FAQ
Does OpenAPI DevTools send any of my data to external servers?+
No. The algorithm runs locally and the extension only accesses network requests while DevTools is open.
How do I install the extension?+
Add it from the Chrome Web Store and it will appear as a new "OpenAPI" tab in Chrome DevTools.
What OpenAPI version does it produce?+
It generates OpenAPI 3.1 specifications.
Can I export the generated specification?+
Yes, you can download the spec with a single click or export the whole session.
Is it possible to share a captured session with others?+
Yes, you can export and share the session file for collaboration.
Summarized by DevHunt from chrome.google.com · Oct 2, 2026. Details may change; check the official site.
