Swagger CLI deprecated what API testing CLI tool do you use now?

We vibe a lot these days, but still need a solid CLI for the boring-but-critical stuff:

• Validate OpenAPI specs
• Bundle multi-file specs into one
• Resolve $ref references

Just like we used Swagger CLI before. So what are people actually using as a replacement?

The main options worth knowing

Apidog CLI if you want testing on top of spec management

Worth leading with this one if you want to go beyond spec validation. Apidog CLI lets you manage project resources, run automated API tests, and query or edit API and testing data — installable in one line: 

bash

npm install -g apidog-cli@latest

It's more of a full API workflow tool than a pure OpenAPI spec utility, which for most teams is actually the point — one tool handling both spec work and test automation rather than stitching two things together.

Redocly CLI closest 1:1 replacement for Swagger CLI

The Swagger CLI repo itself points to Redocly CLI as the recommended replacement, saying it covers all the same functionality plus more advanced linting with custom rules. Command mapping is clean: 

bash

# Validate redocly lint openapi.yaml # Bundle (resolves $ref, outputs single file) redocly bundle openapi.yaml --output bundle.yaml

For multi-file specs, just point it at the entry point it handles $ref resolution without pre-bundling. 

Spectral if linting is your main focus

Supports YAML/JSON rulesets for OpenAPI, Arazzo, and AsyncAPI, and plugs into virtually any IDE or CI/CD pipeline. It dropped bundling to stay focused purely on linting, so it's a partial replacement at best good if custom rulesets are already central to your workflow. 

Vacuum if speed is a hard requirement

Written in Go and distributed as a static binary with no npm dependencies, it's fast where Spectral and Redocly struggle at scale. Generates Spectral-compatible reports, so it slots into existing pipelines cleanly. 

Bottom line

For validate + bundle + $ref out of the box with test automation built in: Apidog CLI. For a minimal Swagger CLI drop-in: Redocly. Spectral if linting rules are your focus, Vacuum if large specs are slowing down CI.

Curious what others here are running — especially whether anyone's mixed a couple of these or gone all-in on one.