OpenAPI Specification v3.0.3

Version 3.0.3

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https://spec.openapis.org/oas/v3.0.3.html
Latest published version:
https://spec.openapis.org/oas/latest.html
Latest editor's draft:
https://github.com/OAI/OpenAPI-Specification/
Editors:
Darrel Miller
Jeremy Whitlock
Marsh Gardiner
Mike Ralphson
Ron Ratovsky
Uri Sarid
Former editors:
Jason Harmon
Tony Tam
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Copyright © 2020 the Linux Foundation

What is the OpenAPI Specification?

The OpenAPI Specification (OAS) defines a standard, programming language-agnostic interface description for HTTP APIs, which allows both humans and computers to discover and understand the capabilities of a service without requiring access to source code, additional documentation, or inspection of network traffic. When properly defined via OpenAPI, a consumer can understand and interact with the remote service with a minimal amount of implementation logic. Similar to what interface descriptions have done for lower-level programming, the OpenAPI Specification removes guesswork in calling a service.

Status of This Document

The source-of-truth for this specification is the HTML file referenced above as This version.

1. OpenAPI Specification

1.1 Version 3.0.3

The key words “MUST”, “MUST NOT”, “REQUIRED”, “SHALL”, “SHALL NOT”, “SHOULD”, “SHOULD NOT”, “RECOMMENDED”, “NOT RECOMMENDED”, “MAY”, and “OPTIONAL” in this document are to be interpreted as described in BCP 14 [RFC2119] [RFC8174] when, and only when, they appear in all capitals, as shown here.

This document is licensed under The Apache License, Version 2.0.

2. Introduction

The OpenAPI Specification (OAS) defines a standard, language-agnostic interface to RESTful APIs which allows both humans and computers to discover and understand the capabilities of the service without access to source code, documentation, or through network traffic inspection. When properly defined, a consumer can understand and interact with the remote service with a minimal amount of implementation logic.

An OpenAPI definition can then be used by documentation generation tools to display the API, code generation tools to generate servers and clients in various programming languages, testing tools, and many other use cases.

3. Definitions

3.1 OpenAPI Document

A document (or set of documents) that defines or describes an API. An OpenAPI definition uses and conforms to the OpenAPI Specification.

3.2 Path Templating

Path templating refers to the usage of template expressions, delimited by curly braces ({}), to mark a section of a URL path as replaceable using path parameters.

Each template expression in the path MUST correspond to a path parameter that is included in the Path Item itself and/or in each of the Path Item’s Operations.

3.3 Media Types

Media type definitions are spread across several resources. The media type definitions SHOULD be in compliance with [RFC6838].

Some examples of possible media type definitions:

  text/plain; charset=utf-8
  application/json
  application/vnd.github+json
  application/vnd.github.v3+json
  application/vnd.github.v3.raw+json
  application/vnd.github.v3.text+json
  application/vnd.github.v3.html+json
  application/vnd.github.v3.full+json
  application/vnd.github.v3.diff
  application/vnd.github.v3.patch

3.4 HTTP Status Codes

The HTTP Status Codes are used to indicate the status of the executed operation. The available status codes are defined by [RFC7231] Section 6 and registered status codes are listed in the IANA Status Code Registry.

4. Specification

4.1 Versions

The OpenAPI Specification is versioned using Semantic Versioning 2.0.0 (semver) and follows the semver specification.

The major.minor portion of the semver (for example 3.0) SHALL designate the OAS feature set. Typically, .patch versions address errors in this document, not the feature set. Tooling which supports OAS 3.0 SHOULD be compatible with all OAS 3.0.* versions. The patch version SHOULD NOT be considered by tooling, making no distinction between 3.0.0 and 3.0.1 for example.

Each new minor version of the OpenAPI Specification SHALL allow any OpenAPI document that is valid against any previous minor version of the Specification, within the same major version, to be updated to the new Specification version with equivalent semantics. Such an update MUST only require changing the openapi property to the new minor version.

For example, a valid OpenAPI 3.0.2 document, upon changing its openapi property to 3.1.0, SHALL be a valid OpenAPI 3.1.0 document, semantically equivalent to the original OpenAPI 3.0.2 document. New minor versions of the OpenAPI Specification MUST be written to ensure this form of backward compatibility.

An OpenAPI document compatible with OAS 3.*.* contains a required openapi field which designates the semantic version of the OAS that it uses. (OAS 2.0 documents contain a top-level version field named swagger and value "2.0".)

4.2 Format

An OpenAPI document that conforms to the OpenAPI Specification is itself a JSON object, which may be represented either in JSON or YAML format.

For example, if a field has an array value, the JSON array representation will be used:

{
   "field": [ 1, 2, 3 ]
}

All field names in the specification are case sensitive. This includes all fields that are used as keys in a map, except where explicitly noted that keys are case insensitive.

The schema exposes two types of fields: Fixed fields, which have a declared name, and Patterned fields, which declare a regex pattern for the field name.

Patterned fields MUST have unique names within the containing object.

In order to preserve the ability to round-trip between YAML and JSON formats, YAML version 1.2 is RECOMMENDED along with some additional constraints:

Note: While APIs may be defined by OpenAPI documents in either YAML or JSON format, the API request and response bodies and other content are not required to be JSON or YAML.

4.3 Document Structure

An OpenAPI document MAY be made up of a single document or be divided into multiple, connected parts at the discretion of the user. In the latter case, $ref fields MUST be used in the specification to reference those parts as follows from the JSON Schema definitions.

It is RECOMMENDED that the root OpenAPI document be named: openapi.json or openapi.yaml.

4.4 Data Types

Primitive data types in the OAS are based on the types supported by the JSON Schema Specification Wright Draft 00. Note that integer as a type is also supported and is defined as a JSON number without a fraction or exponent part. null is not supported as a type (see nullable for an alternative solution). Models are defined using the Schema Object, which is an extended subset of JSON Schema Specification Wright Draft 00.

Primitives have an optional modifier property: format. OAS uses several known formats to define in fine detail the data type being used. However, to support documentation needs, the format property is an open string-valued property, and can have any value. Formats such as "email", "uuid", and so on, MAY be used even though undefined by this specification. Types that are not accompanied by a format property follow the type definition in the JSON Schema. Tools that do not recognize a specific format MAY default back to the type alone, as if the format is not specified.

The formats defined by the OAS are:

type format Comments
integer int32 signed 32 bits
integer int64 signed 64 bits (a.k.a long)
number float
number double
string
string byte base64 encoded characters
string binary any sequence of octets
boolean
string date As defined by full-date - [RFC3339] Section 5.6
string date-time As defined by date-time - [RFC3339] Section 5.6
string password A hint to UIs to obscure input.

4.5 Rich Text Formatting

Throughout the specification description fields are noted as supporting [CommonMark] markdown formatting. Where OpenAPI tooling renders rich text it MUST support, at a minimum, markdown syntax as described by [CommonMark-0.27]. Tooling MAY choose to ignore some CommonMark features to address security concerns.

4.6 Relative References in URLs

Unless specified otherwise, all properties that are URLs MAY be relative references as defined by [RFC3986] Section 4.2. Relative references are resolved using the URLs defined in the Server Object as a Base URI.

Relative references used in $ref are processed as per JSON Reference, using the URL of the current document as the base URI. See also the Reference Object.

4.7 Schema

In the following description, if a field is not explicitly REQUIRED or described with a MUST or SHALL, it can be considered OPTIONAL.

4.7.1 OpenAPI Object

This is the root document object of the OpenAPI document.

4.7.1.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
openapi string REQUIRED. This string MUST be the semantic version number of the OpenAPI Specification version that the OpenAPI document uses. The openapi field SHOULD be used by tooling specifications and clients to interpret the OpenAPI document. This is not related to the API info.version string.
info Info Object REQUIRED. Provides metadata about the API. The metadata MAY be used by tooling as required.
servers [Server Object] An array of Server Objects, which provide connectivity information to a target server. If the servers property is not provided, or is an empty array, the default value would be a Server Object with a url value of /.
paths Paths Object REQUIRED. The available paths and operations for the API.
components Components Object An element to hold various schemas for the specification.
security [Security Requirement Object] A declaration of which security mechanisms can be used across the API. The list of values includes alternative security requirement objects that can be used. Only one of the security requirement objects need to be satisfied to authorize a request. Individual operations can override this definition. To make security optional, an empty security requirement ({}) can be included in the array.
tags [Tag Object] A list of tags used by the specification with additional metadata. The order of the tags can be used to reflect on their order by the parsing tools. Not all tags that are used by the Operation Object must be declared. The tags that are not declared MAY be organized randomly or based on the tools’ logic. Each tag name in the list MUST be unique.
externalDocs External Documentation Object Additional external documentation.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.2 Info Object

The object provides metadata about the API. The metadata MAY be used by the clients if needed, and MAY be presented in editing or documentation generation tools for convenience.

4.7.2.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
title string REQUIRED. The title of the API.
description string A short description of the API. [CommonMark] syntax MAY be used for rich text representation.
termsOfService string A URL to the Terms of Service for the API. MUST be in the format of a URL.
contact Contact Object The contact information for the exposed API.
license License Object The license information for the exposed API.
version string REQUIRED. The version of the OpenAPI document (which is distinct from the OpenAPI Specification version or the API implementation version).

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.2.2 Info Object Example
{
  "title": "Sample Pet Store App",
  "description": "This is a sample server for a pet store.",
  "termsOfService": "http://example.com/terms/",
  "contact": {
    "name": "API Support",
    "url": "http://www.example.com/support",
    "email": "support@example.com"
  },
  "license": {
    "name": "Apache 2.0",
    "url": "https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html"
  },
  "version": "1.0.1"
}

title: Sample Pet Store App
description: This is a sample server for a pet store.
termsOfService: http://example.com/terms/
contact:
  name: API Support
  url: http://www.example.com/support
  email: support@example.com
license:
  name: Apache 2.0
  url: https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
version: 1.0.1

4.7.3 Contact Object

Contact information for the exposed API.

4.7.3.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
name string The identifying name of the contact person/organization.
url string The URL pointing to the contact information. MUST be in the format of a URL.
email string The email address of the contact person/organization. MUST be in the format of an email address.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.3.2 Contact Object Example
{
  "name": "API Support",
  "url": "http://www.example.com/support",
  "email": "support@example.com"
}

name: API Support
url: http://www.example.com/support
email: support@example.com

4.7.4 License Object

License information for the exposed API.

4.7.4.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
name string REQUIRED. The license name used for the API.
url string A URL to the license used for the API. MUST be in the format of a URL.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.4.2 License Object Example
{
  "name": "Apache 2.0",
  "url": "https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html"
}

name: Apache 2.0
url: https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html

4.7.5 Server Object

An object representing a Server.

4.7.5.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
url string REQUIRED. A URL to the target host. This URL supports Server Variables and MAY be relative, to indicate that the host location is relative to the location where the OpenAPI document is being served. Variable substitutions will be made when a variable is named in {brackets}.
description string An optional string describing the host designated by the URL. [CommonMark] syntax MAY be used for rich text representation.
variables Map[string, Server Variable Object] A map between a variable name and its value. The value is used for substitution in the server’s URL template.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.5.2 Server Object Example

A single server would be described as:

{
  "url": "https://development.gigantic-server.com/v1",
  "description": "Development server"
}

url: https://development.gigantic-server.com/v1
description: Development server

The following shows how multiple servers can be described, for example, at the OpenAPI Object’s servers:

{
  "servers": [
    {
      "url": "https://development.gigantic-server.com/v1",
      "description": "Development server"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://staging.gigantic-server.com/v1",
      "description": "Staging server"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://api.gigantic-server.com/v1",
      "description": "Production server"
    }
  ]
}

servers:
- url: https://development.gigantic-server.com/v1
  description: Development server
- url: https://staging.gigantic-server.com/v1
  description: Staging server
- url: https://api.gigantic-server.com/v1
  description: Production server

The following shows how variables can be used for a server configuration:

{
  "servers": [
    {
      "url": "https://{username}.gigantic-server.com:{port}/{basePath}",
      "description": "The production API server",
      "variables": {
        "username": {
          "default": "demo",
          "description": "this value is assigned by the service provider, in this example `gigantic-server.com`"
        },
        "port": {
          "enum": [
            "8443",
            "443"
          ],
          "default": "8443"
        },
        "basePath": {
          "default": "v2"
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}

servers:
- url: https://{username}.gigantic-server.com:{port}/{basePath}
  description: The production API server
  variables:
    username:
      # note! no enum here means it is an open value
      default: demo
      description: this value is assigned by the service provider, in this example `gigantic-server.com`
    port:
      enum:
        - '8443'
        - '443'
      default: '8443'
    basePath:
      # open meaning there is the opportunity to use special base paths as assigned by the provider, default is `v2`
      default: v2

4.7.6 Server Variable Object

An object representing a Server Variable for server URL template substitution.

4.7.6.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
enum [string] An enumeration of string values to be used if the substitution options are from a limited set. The array SHOULD NOT be empty.
default string REQUIRED. The default value to use for substitution, which SHALL be sent if an alternate value is not supplied. Note this behavior is different than the Schema Object’s treatment of default values, because in those cases parameter values are optional. If the enum is defined, the value SHOULD exist in the enum’s values.
description string An optional description for the server variable. [CommonMark] syntax MAY be used for rich text representation.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.7 Components Object

Holds a set of reusable objects for different aspects of the OAS. All objects defined within the components object will have no effect on the API unless they are explicitly referenced from properties outside the components object.

4.7.7.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
schemas Map[string, Schema Object | Reference Object] An object to hold reusable Schema Objects.
responses Map[string, Response Object | Reference Object] An object to hold reusable Response Objects.
parameters Map[string, Parameter Object | Reference Object] An object to hold reusable Parameter Objects.
examples Map[string, Example Object | Reference Object] An object to hold reusable Example Objects.
requestBodies Map[string, Request Body Object | Reference Object] An object to hold reusable Request Body Objects.
headers Map[string, Header Object | Reference Object] An object to hold reusable Header Objects.
securitySchemes Map[string, Security Scheme Object | Reference Object] An object to hold reusable Security Scheme Objects.
links Map[string, Link Object | Reference Object] An object to hold reusable Link Objects.
callbacks Map[string, Callback Object | Reference Object] An object to hold reusable Callback Objects.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

All the fixed fields declared above are objects that MUST use keys that match the regular expression: ^[a-zA-Z0-9\.\-_]+$.

Field Name Examples:

User
User_1
User_Name
user-name
my.org.User
4.7.7.2 Components Object Example
"components": {
  "schemas": {
    "GeneralError": {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "code": {
          "type": "integer",
          "format": "int32"
        },
        "message": {
          "type": "string"
        }
      }
    },
    "Category": {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "id": {
          "type": "integer",
          "format": "int64"
        },
        "name": {
          "type": "string"
        }
      }
    },
    "Tag": {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "id": {
          "type": "integer",
          "format": "int64"
        },
        "name": {
          "type": "string"
        }
      }
    }
  },
  "parameters": {
    "skipParam": {
      "name": "skip",
      "in": "query",
      "description": "number of items to skip",
      "required": true,
      "schema": {
        "type": "integer",
        "format": "int32"
      }
    },
    "limitParam": {
      "name": "limit",
      "in": "query",
      "description": "max records to return",
      "required": true,
      "schema" : {
        "type": "integer",
        "format": "int32"
      }
    }
  },
  "responses": {
    "NotFound": {
      "description": "Entity not found."
    },
    "IllegalInput": {
      "description": "Illegal input for operation."
    },
    "GeneralError": {
      "description": "General Error",
      "content": {
        "application/json": {
          "schema": {
            "$ref": "#/components/schemas/GeneralError"
          }
        }
      }
    }
  },
  "securitySchemes": {
    "api_key": {
      "type": "apiKey",
      "name": "api_key",
      "in": "header"
    },
    "petstore_auth": {
      "type": "oauth2",
      "flows": {
        "implicit": {
          "authorizationUrl": "http://example.org/api/oauth/dialog",
          "scopes": {
            "write:pets": "modify pets in your account",
            "read:pets": "read your pets"
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

components:
  schemas:
    GeneralError:
      type: object
      properties:
        code:
          type: integer
          format: int32
        message:
          type: string
    Category:
      type: object
      properties:
        id:
          type: integer
          format: int64
        name:
          type: string
    Tag:
      type: object
      properties:
        id:
          type: integer
          format: int64
        name:
          type: string
  parameters:
    skipParam:
      name: skip
      in: query
      description: number of items to skip
      required: true
      schema:
        type: integer
        format: int32
    limitParam:
      name: limit
      in: query
      description: max records to return
      required: true
      schema:
        type: integer
        format: int32
  responses:
    NotFound:
      description: Entity not found.
    IllegalInput:
      description: Illegal input for operation.
    GeneralError:
      description: General Error
      content:
        application/json:
          schema:
            $ref: '#/components/schemas/GeneralError'
  securitySchemes:
    api_key:
      type: apiKey
      name: api_key
      in: header
    petstore_auth:
      type: oauth2
      flows:
        implicit:
          authorizationUrl: http://example.org/api/oauth/dialog
          scopes:
            write:pets: modify pets in your account
            read:pets: read your pets

4.7.8 Paths Object

Holds the relative paths to the individual endpoints and their operations. The path is appended to the URL from the Server Object in order to construct the full URL. The Paths MAY be empty, due to ACL constraints.

4.7.8.1 Patterned Fields
Field Pattern Type Description
/{path} Path Item Object A relative path to an individual endpoint. The field name MUST begin with a forward slash (/). The path is appended (no relative URL resolution) to the expanded URL from the Server Object’s url field in order to construct the full URL. Path templating is allowed. When matching URLs, concrete (non-templated) paths would be matched before their templated counterparts. Templated paths with the same hierarchy but different templated names MUST NOT exist as they are identical. In case of ambiguous matching, it’s up to the tooling to decide which one to use.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.8.2 Path Templating Matching

Assuming the following paths, the concrete definition, /pets/mine, will be matched first if used:

  /pets/{petId}
  /pets/mine

The following paths are considered identical and invalid:

  /pets/{petId}
  /pets/{name}

The following may lead to ambiguous resolution:

  /{entity}/me
  /books/{id}
4.7.8.3 Paths Object Example
{
  "/pets": {
    "get": {
      "description": "Returns all pets from the system that the user has access to",
      "responses": {
        "200": {         
          "description": "A list of pets.",
          "content": {
            "application/json": {
              "schema": {
                "type": "array",
                "items": {
                  "$ref": "#/components/schemas/pet"
                }
              }
            }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

/pets:
  get:
    description: Returns all pets from the system that the user has access to
    responses:
      '200':
        description: A list of pets.
        content:
          application/json:
            schema:
              type: array
              items:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/pet'

4.7.9 Path Item Object

Describes the operations available on a single path. A Path Item MAY be empty, due to ACL constraints. The path itself is still exposed to the documentation viewer but they will not know which operations and parameters are available.

4.7.9.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
$ref string Allows for an external definition of this path item. The referenced structure MUST be in the format of a Path Item Object. In case a Path Item Object field appears both in the defined object and the referenced object, the behavior is undefined.
summary string An optional, string summary, intended to apply to all operations in this path.
description string An optional, string description, intended to apply to all operations in this path. [CommonMark] syntax MAY be used for rich text representation.
get Operation Object A definition of a GET operation on this path.
put Operation Object A definition of a PUT operation on this path.
post Operation Object A definition of a POST operation on this path.
delete Operation Object A definition of a DELETE operation on this path.
options Operation Object A definition of a OPTIONS operation on this path.
head Operation Object A definition of a HEAD operation on this path.
patch Operation Object A definition of a PATCH operation on this path.
trace Operation Object A definition of a TRACE operation on this path.
servers [Server Object] An alternative server array to service all operations in this path.
parameters [Parameter Object | Reference Object] A list of parameters that are applicable for all the operations described under this path. These parameters can be overridden at the operation level, but cannot be removed there. The list MUST NOT include duplicated parameters. A unique parameter is defined by a combination of a name and location. The list can use the Reference Object to link to parameters that are defined at the OpenAPI Object’s components/parameters.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.9.2 Path Item Object Example
{
  "get": {
    "description": "Returns pets based on ID",
    "summary": "Find pets by ID",
    "operationId": "getPetsById",
    "responses": {
      "200": {
        "description": "pet response",
        "content": {
          "*/*": {
            "schema": {
              "type": "array",
              "items": {
                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/Pet"
              }
            }
          }
        }
      },
      "default": {
        "description": "error payload",
        "content": {
          "text/html": {
            "schema": {
              "$ref": "#/components/schemas/ErrorModel"
            }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  },
  "parameters": [
    {
      "name": "id",
      "in": "path",
      "description": "ID of pet to use",
      "required": true,
      "schema": {
        "type": "array",
        "items": {
          "type": "string"
        }
      },
      "style": "simple"
    }
  ]
}

get:
  description: Returns pets based on ID
  summary: Find pets by ID
  operationId: getPetsById
  responses:
    '200':
      description: pet response
      content:
        '*/*' :
          schema:
            type: array
            items:
              $ref: '#/components/schemas/Pet'
    default:
      description: error payload
      content:
        'text/html':
          schema:
            $ref: '#/components/schemas/ErrorModel'
parameters:
- name: id
  in: path
  description: ID of pet to use
  required: true
  schema:
    type: array
    items:
      type: string 
  style: simple

4.7.10 Operation Object

Describes a single API operation on a path.

4.7.10.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
tags [string] A list of tags for API documentation control. Tags can be used for logical grouping of operations by resources or any other qualifier.
summary string A short summary of what the operation does.
description string A verbose explanation of the operation behavior. [CommonMark] syntax MAY be used for rich text representation.
externalDocs External Documentation Object Additional external documentation for this operation.
operationId string Unique string used to identify the operation. The id MUST be unique among all operations described in the API. The operationId value is case-sensitive. Tools and libraries MAY use the operationId to uniquely identify an operation, therefore, it is RECOMMENDED to follow common programming naming conventions.
parameters [Parameter Object | Reference Object] A list of parameters that are applicable for this operation. If a parameter is already defined at the Path Item, the new definition will override it but can never remove it. The list MUST NOT include duplicated parameters. A unique parameter is defined by a combination of a name and location. The list can use the Reference Object to link to parameters that are defined at the OpenAPI Object’s components/parameters.
requestBody Request Body Object | Reference Object The request body applicable for this operation. The requestBody is only supported in HTTP methods where the HTTP 1.1 specification [RFC7231] Section 4.3.1 has explicitly defined semantics for request bodies. In other cases where the HTTP spec is vague, requestBody SHALL be ignored by consumers.
responses Responses Object REQUIRED. The list of possible responses as they are returned from executing this operation.
callbacks Map[string, Callback Object | Reference Object] A map of possible out-of band callbacks related to the parent operation. The key is a unique identifier for the Callback Object. Each value in the map is a Callback Object that describes a request that may be initiated by the API provider and the expected responses.
deprecated boolean Declares this operation to be deprecated. Consumers SHOULD refrain from usage of the declared operation. Default value is false.
security [Security Requirement Object] A declaration of which security mechanisms can be used for this operation. The list of values includes alternative security requirement objects that can be used. Only one of the security requirement objects need to be satisfied to authorize a request. To make security optional, an empty security requirement ({}) can be included in the array. This definition overrides any declared top-level security. To remove a top-level security declaration, an empty array can be used.
servers [Server Object] An alternative server array to service this operation. If an alternative server object is specified at the Path Item Object or Root level, it will be overridden by this value.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.10.2 Operation Object Example
{
  "tags": [
    "pet"
  ],
  "summary": "Updates a pet in the store with form data",
  "operationId": "updatePetWithForm",
  "parameters": [
    {
      "name": "petId",
      "in": "path",
      "description": "ID of pet that needs to be updated",
      "required": true,
      "schema": {
        "type": "string"
      }
    }
  ],
  "requestBody": {
    "content": {
      "application/x-www-form-urlencoded": {
        "schema": {
          "type": "object",
          "properties": {
            "name": {
              "description": "Updated name of the pet",
              "type": "string"
            },
            "status": {
              "description": "Updated status of the pet",
              "type": "string"
            }
          },
          "required": ["status"]
        }
      }
    }
  },
  "responses": {
    "200": {
      "description": "Pet updated.",
      "content": {
        "application/json": {},
        "application/xml": {}
      }
    },
    "405": {
      "description": "Method Not Allowed",
      "content": {
        "application/json": {},
        "application/xml": {}
      }
    }
  },
  "security": [
    {
      "petstore_auth": [
        "write:pets",
        "read:pets"
      ]
    }
  ]
}

tags:
- pet
summary: Updates a pet in the store with form data
operationId: updatePetWithForm
parameters:
- name: petId
  in: path
  description: ID of pet that needs to be updated
  required: true
  schema:
    type: string
requestBody:
  content:
    'application/x-www-form-urlencoded':
      schema:
       properties:
          name:
            description: Updated name of the pet
            type: string
          status:
            description: Updated status of the pet
            type: string
       required:
         - status
responses:
  '200':
    description: Pet updated.
    content:
      'application/json': {}
      'application/xml': {}
  '405':
    description: Method Not Allowed
    content:
      'application/json': {}
      'application/xml': {}
security:
- petstore_auth:
  - write:pets
  - read:pets

4.7.11 External Documentation Object

Allows referencing an external resource for extended documentation.

4.7.11.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
description string A short description of the target documentation. [CommonMark] syntax MAY be used for rich text representation.
url string REQUIRED. The URL for the target documentation. Value MUST be in the format of a URL.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.11.2 External Documentation Object Example
{
  "description": "Find more info here",
  "url": "https://example.com"
}

description: Find more info here
url: https://example.com

4.7.12 Parameter Object

Describes a single operation parameter.

A unique parameter is defined by a combination of a name and location.

4.7.12.1 Parameter Locations

There are four possible parameter locations specified by the in field:

  • path - Used together with Path Templating, where the parameter value is actually part of the operation’s URL. This does not include the host or base path of the API. For example, in /items/{itemId}, the path parameter is itemId.
  • query - Parameters that are appended to the URL. For example, in /items?id=###, the query parameter is id.
  • header - Custom headers that are expected as part of the request. Note that [RFC7230] Page 22 states header names are case insensitive.
  • cookie - Used to pass a specific cookie value to the API.
4.7.12.2 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
name string REQUIRED. The name of the parameter. Parameter names are case sensitive.
  • If in is "path", the name field MUST correspond to a template expression occurring within the path field in the Paths Object. See Path Templating for further information.
  • If in is "header" and the name field is "Accept", "Content-Type" or "Authorization", the parameter definition SHALL be ignored.
  • For all other cases, the name corresponds to the parameter name used by the in property.
in string REQUIRED. The location of the parameter. Possible values are "query", "header", "path" or "cookie".
description string A brief description of the parameter. This could contain examples of use. [CommonMark] syntax MAY be used for rich text representation.
required boolean Determines whether this parameter is mandatory. If the parameter location is "path", this property is REQUIRED and its value MUST be true. Otherwise, the property MAY be included and its default value is false.
deprecated boolean Specifies that a parameter is deprecated and SHOULD be transitioned out of usage. Default value is false.
allowEmptyValue boolean Sets the ability to pass empty-valued parameters. This is valid only for query parameters and allows sending a parameter with an empty value. Default value is false. If style is used, and if behavior is n/a (cannot be serialized), the value of allowEmptyValue SHALL be ignored. Use of this property is NOT RECOMMENDED, as it is likely to be removed in a later revision.

The rules for serialization of the parameter are specified in one of two ways. For simpler scenarios, a schema and style can describe the structure and syntax of the parameter.

Field Name Type Description
style string Describes how the parameter value will be serialized depending on the type of the parameter value. Default values (based on value of in): for query - form; for path - simple; for header - simple; for cookie - form.
explode boolean When this is true, parameter values of type array or object generate separate parameters for each value of the array or key-value pair of the map. For other types of parameters this property has no effect. When style is form, the default value is true. For all other styles, the default value is false.
allowReserved boolean Determines whether the parameter value SHOULD allow reserved characters, as defined by [RFC3986] Section 2.2 :/?#[]@!$&'()*+,;= to be included without percent-encoding. This property only applies to parameters with an in value of query. The default value is false.
schema Schema Object | Reference Object The schema defining the type used for the parameter.
example Any Example of the parameter’s potential value. The example SHOULD match the specified schema and encoding properties if present. The example field is mutually exclusive of the examples field. Furthermore, if referencing a schema that contains an example, the example value SHALL override the example provided by the schema. To represent examples of media types that cannot naturally be represented in JSON or YAML, a string value can contain the example with escaping where necessary.
examples Map[ string, Example Object | Reference Object] Examples of the parameter’s potential value. Each example SHOULD contain a value in the correct format as specified in the parameter encoding. The examples field is mutually exclusive of the example field. Furthermore, if referencing a schema that contains an example, the examples value SHALL override the example provided by the schema.

For more complex scenarios, the content property can define the media type and schema of the parameter. A parameter MUST contain either a schema property, or a content property, but not both. When example or examples are provided in conjunction with the schema object, the example MUST follow the prescribed serialization strategy for the parameter.

Field Name Type Description
content Map[string, Media Type Object] A map containing the representations for the parameter. The key is the media type and the value describes it. The map MUST only contain one entry.
4.7.12.3 Style Values

In order to support common ways of serializing simple parameters, a set of style values are defined.

style type in Comments
matrix primitive, array, object path Path-style parameters defined by [RFC6570] Section 3.2.7
label primitive, array, object path Label style parameters defined by [RFC6570] Section 3.2.5
form primitive, array, object query, cookie Form style parameters defined by [RFC6570] Section 3.2.8. This option replaces collectionFormat with a csv (when explode is false) or multi (when explode is true) value from OpenAPI 2.0.
simple array path, header Simple style parameters defined by [RFC6570] Section 3.2.2. This option replaces collectionFormat with a csv value from OpenAPI 2.0.
spaceDelimited array query Space separated array values. This option replaces collectionFormat equal to ssv from OpenAPI 2.0.
pipeDelimited array query Pipe separated array values. This option replaces collectionFormat equal to pipes from OpenAPI 2.0.
deepObject object query Provides a simple way of rendering nested objects using form parameters.
4.7.12.4 Style Examples

Assume a parameter named color has one of the following values:

   string -> "blue"
   array -> ["blue","black","brown"]
   object -> { "R": 100, "G": 200, "B": 150 }

The following table shows examples of rendering differences for each value.

style explode empty string array object
matrix false ;color ;color=blue ;color=blue,black,brown ;color=R,100,G,200,B,150
matrix true ;color ;color=blue ;color=blue;color=black;color=brown ;R=100;G=200;B=150
label false . .blue .blue.black.brown .R.100.G.200.B.150
label true . .blue .blue.black.brown .R=100.G=200.B=150
form false color= color=blue color=blue,black,brown color=R,100,G,200,B,150
form true color= color=blue color=blue&color=black&color=brown R=100&G=200&B=150
simple false n/a blue blue,black,brown R,100,G,200,B,150
simple true n/a blue blue,black,brown R=100,G=200,B=150
spaceDelimited false n/a n/a blue%20black%20brown R%20100%20G%20200%20B%20150
pipeDelimited false n/a n/a blue|black|brown R|100|G|200|B|150
deepObject true n/a n/a n/a color[R]=100&color[G]=200&color[B]=150

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.12.5 Parameter Object Examples

A header parameter with an array of 64 bit integer numbers:

{
  "name": "token",
  "in": "header",
  "description": "token to be passed as a header",
  "required": true,
  "schema": {
    "type": "array",
    "items": {
      "type": "integer",
      "format": "int64"
    }
  },
  "style": "simple"
}

name: token
in: header
description: token to be passed as a header
required: true
schema:
  type: array
  items:
    type: integer
    format: int64
style: simple

A path parameter of a string value:

{
  "name": "username",
  "in": "path",
  "description": "username to fetch",
  "required": true,
  "schema": {
    "type": "string"
  }
}

name: username
in: path
description: username to fetch
required: true
schema:
  type: string

An optional query parameter of a string value, allowing multiple values by repeating the query parameter:

{
  "name": "id",
  "in": "query",
  "description": "ID of the object to fetch",
  "required": false,
  "schema": {
    "type": "array",
    "items": {
      "type": "string"
    }
  },
  "style": "form",
  "explode": true
}

name: id
in: query
description: ID of the object to fetch
required: false
schema:
  type: array
  items:
    type: string
style: form
explode: true

A free-form query parameter, allowing undefined parameters of a specific type:

{
  "in": "query",
  "name": "freeForm",
  "schema": {
    "type": "object",
    "additionalProperties": {
      "type": "integer"
    },
  },
  "style": "form"
}

in: query
name: freeForm
schema:
  type: object
  additionalProperties:
    type: integer
style: form

A complex parameter using content to define serialization:

{
  "in": "query",
  "name": "coordinates",
  "content": {
    "application/json": {
      "schema": {
        "type": "object",
        "required": [
          "lat",
          "long"
        ],
        "properties": {
          "lat": {
            "type": "number"
          },
          "long": {
            "type": "number"
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

in: query
name: coordinates
content:
  application/json:
    schema:
      type: object
      required:
        - lat
        - long
      properties:
        lat:
          type: number
        long:
          type: number

4.7.13 Request Body Object

Describes a single request body.

4.7.13.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
description string A brief description of the request body. This could contain examples of use. [CommonMark] syntax MAY be used for rich text representation.
content Map[string, Media Type Object] REQUIRED. The content of the request body. The key is a media type or media type range, see [RFC7231] Appendix D, and the value describes it. For requests that match multiple keys, only the most specific key is applicable. e.g. text/plain overrides text/*
required boolean Determines if the request body is required in the request. Defaults to false.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.13.2 Request Body Examples

A request body with a referenced model definition.

{
  "description": "user to add to the system",
  "content": {
    "application/json": {
      "schema": {
        "$ref": "#/components/schemas/User"
      },
      "examples": {
          "user" : {
            "summary": "User Example",
            "externalValue": "http://foo.bar/examples/user-example.json"
          }
        }
    },
    "application/xml": {
      "schema": {
        "$ref": "#/components/schemas/User"
      },
      "examples": {
          "user" : {
            "summary": "User example in XML",
            "externalValue": "http://foo.bar/examples/user-example.xml"
          }
        }
    },
    "text/plain": {
      "examples": {
        "user" : {
            "summary": "User example in Plain text",
            "externalValue": "http://foo.bar/examples/user-example.txt"
        }
      }
    },
    "*/*": {
      "examples": {
        "user" : {
            "summary": "User example in other format",
            "externalValue": "http://foo.bar/examples/user-example.whatever"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

description: user to add to the system
content:
  'application/json':
    schema:
      $ref: '#/components/schemas/User'
    examples:
      user:
        summary: User Example
        externalValue: 'http://foo.bar/examples/user-example.json'
  'application/xml':
    schema:
      $ref: '#/components/schemas/User'
    examples:
      user:
        summary: User Example in XML
        externalValue: 'http://foo.bar/examples/user-example.xml'
  'text/plain':
    examples:
      user:
        summary: User example in text plain format
        externalValue: 'http://foo.bar/examples/user-example.txt'
  '*/*':
    examples:
      user:
        summary: User example in other format
        externalValue: 'http://foo.bar/examples/user-example.whatever'

A body parameter that is an array of string values:

{
  "description": "user to add to the system",
  "content": {
    "text/plain": {
      "schema": {
        "type": "array",
        "items": {
          "type": "string"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

description: user to add to the system
required: true
content:
  text/plain:
    schema:
      type: array
      items:
        type: string

4.7.14 Media Type Object

Each Media Type Object provides schema and examples for the media type identified by its key.

4.7.14.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
schema Schema Object | Reference Object The schema defining the content of the request, response, or parameter.
example Any Example of the media type. The example object SHOULD be in the correct format as specified by the media type. The example field is mutually exclusive of the examples field. Furthermore, if referencing a schema which contains an example, the example value SHALL override the example provided by the schema.
examples Map[ string, Example Object | Reference Object] Examples of the media type. Each example object SHOULD match the media type and specified schema if present. The examples field is mutually exclusive of the example field. Furthermore, if referencing a schema which contains an example, the examples value SHALL override the example provided by the schema.
encoding Map[string, Encoding Object] A map between a property name and its encoding information. The key, being the property name, MUST exist in the schema as a property. The encoding object SHALL only apply to requestBody objects when the media type is multipart or application/x-www-form-urlencoded.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.14.2 Media Type Examples
{
  "application/json": {
    "schema": {
         "$ref": "#/components/schemas/Pet"
    },
    "examples": {
      "cat" : {
        "summary": "An example of a cat",
        "value":
          {
            "name": "Fluffy",
            "petType": "Cat",
            "color": "White",
            "gender": "male",
            "breed": "Persian"
          }
      },
      "dog": {
        "summary": "An example of a dog with a cat's name",
        "value" :  {
          "name": "Puma",
          "petType": "Dog",
          "color": "Black",
          "gender": "Female",
          "breed": "Mixed"
        },
      "frog": {
          "$ref": "#/components/examples/frog-example"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

application/json:
  schema:
    $ref: "#/components/schemas/Pet"
  examples:
    cat:
      summary: An example of a cat
      value:
        name: Fluffy
        petType: Cat
        color: White
        gender: male
        breed: Persian
    dog:
      summary: An example of a dog with a cat's name
      value:
        name: Puma
        petType: Dog
        color: Black
        gender: Female
        breed: Mixed
    frog:
      $ref: "#/components/examples/frog-example"
4.7.14.3 Considerations for File Uploads

In contrast with the 2.0 specification, file input/output content in OpenAPI is described with the same semantics as any other schema type. Specifically:

# content transferred with base64 encoding
schema:
  type: string
  format: base64

# content transferred in binary (octet-stream):
schema:
  type: string
  format: binary

These examples apply to either input payloads of file uploads or response payloads.

A requestBody for submitting a file in a POST operation may look like the following example:

requestBody:
  content:
    application/octet-stream:
      schema:
        # a binary file of any type
        type: string
        format: binary

In addition, specific media types MAY be specified:

# multiple, specific media types may be specified:
requestBody:
  content:
      # a binary file of type png or jpeg
    'image/jpeg':
      schema:
        type: string
        format: binary
    'image/png':
      schema:
        type: string
        format: binary

To upload multiple files, a multipart media type MUST be used:

requestBody:
  content:
    multipart/form-data:
      schema:
        properties:
          # The property name 'file' will be used for all files.
          file:
            type: array
            items:
              type: string
              format: binary
4.7.14.4 Support for x-www-form-urlencoded Request Bodies

To submit content using form url encoding via [RFC1866], the following definition may be used:

requestBody:
  content:
    application/x-www-form-urlencoded:
      schema:
        type: object
        properties:
          id:
            type: string
            format: uuid
          address:
            # complex types are stringified to support RFC 1866
            type: object
            properties: {}

In this example, the contents in the requestBody MUST be stringified per [RFC1866] when passed to the server. In addition, the address field complex object will be stringified.

When passing complex objects in the application/x-www-form-urlencoded content type, the default serialization strategy of such properties is described in the Encoding Object’s style property as form.

4.7.14.5 Special Considerations for multipart Content

It is common to use multipart/form-data as a Content-Type when transferring request bodies to operations. In contrast to 2.0, a schema is REQUIRED to define the input parameters to the operation when using multipart content. This supports complex structures as well as supporting mechanisms for multiple file uploads.

When passing in multipart types, boundaries MAY be used to separate sections of the content being transferred — thus, the following default Content-Types are defined for multipart:

  • If the property is a primitive, or an array of primitive values, the default Content-Type is text/plain
  • If the property is complex, or an array of complex values, the default Content-Type is application/json
  • If the property is a type: string with format: binary or format: base64 (aka a file object), the default Content-Type is application/octet-stream

Examples:

requestBody:
  content:
    multipart/form-data:
      schema:
        type: object
        properties:
          id:
            type: string
            format: uuid
          address:
            # default Content-Type for objects is `application/json`
            type: object
            properties: {}
          profileImage:
            # default Content-Type for string/binary is `application/octet-stream`
            type: string
            format: binary
          children:
            # default Content-Type for arrays is based on the `inner` type (text/plain here)
            type: array
            items:
              type: string
          addresses:
            # default Content-Type for arrays is based on the `inner` type (object shown, so `application/json` in this example)
            type: array
            items:
              type: '#/components/schemas/Address'

An encoding attribute is introduced to give you control over the serialization of parts of multipart request bodies. This attribute is only applicable to multipart and application/x-www-form-urlencoded request bodies.

4.7.15 Encoding Object

A single encoding definition applied to a single schema property.

4.7.15.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
contentType string The Content-Type for encoding a specific property. Default value depends on the property type: for string with format being binary – application/octet-stream; for other primitive types – text/plain; for object - application/json; for array – the default is defined based on the inner type. The value can be a specific media type (e.g. application/json), a wildcard media type (e.g. image/*), or a comma-separated list of the two types.
headers Map[string, Header Object | Reference Object] A map allowing additional information to be provided as headers, for example Content-Disposition. Content-Type is described separately and SHALL be ignored in this section. This property SHALL be ignored if the request body media type is not a multipart.
style string Describes how a specific property value will be serialized depending on its type. See Parameter Object for details on the style property. The behavior follows the same values as query parameters, including default values. This property SHALL be ignored if the request body media type is not application/x-www-form-urlencoded.
explode boolean When this is true, property values of type array or object generate separate parameters for each value of the array, or key-value-pair of the map. For other types of properties this property has no effect. When style is form, the default value is true. For all other styles, the default value is false. This property SHALL be ignored if the request body media type is not application/x-www-form-urlencoded.
allowReserved boolean Determines whether the parameter value SHOULD allow reserved characters, as defined by [RFC3986] Section 2.2 :/?#[]@!$&'()*+,;= to be included without percent-encoding. The default value is false. This property SHALL be ignored if the request body media type is not application/x-www-form-urlencoded.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.15.2 Encoding Object Example
requestBody:
  content:
    multipart/mixed:
      schema:
        type: object
        properties:
          id:
            # default is text/plain
            type: string
            format: uuid
          address:
            # default is application/json
            type: object
            properties: {}
          historyMetadata:
            # need to declare XML format!
            description: metadata in XML format
            type: object
            properties: {}
          profileImage:
            # default is application/octet-stream, need to declare an image type only!
            type: string
            format: binary
      encoding:
        historyMetadata:
          # require XML Content-Type in utf-8 encoding
          contentType: application/xml; charset=utf-8
        profileImage:
          # only accept png/jpeg
          contentType: image/png, image/jpeg
          headers:
            X-Rate-Limit-Limit:
              description: The number of allowed requests in the current period
              schema:
                type: integer

4.7.16 Responses Object

A container for the expected responses of an operation. The container maps a HTTP response code to the expected response.

The documentation is not necessarily expected to cover all possible HTTP response codes because they may not be known in advance. However, documentation is expected to cover a successful operation response and any known errors.

The default MAY be used as a default response object for all HTTP codes that are not covered individually by the specification.

The Responses Object MUST contain at least one response code, and it SHOULD be the response for a successful operation call.

4.7.16.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
default Response Object | Reference Object The documentation of responses other than the ones declared for specific HTTP response codes. Use this field to cover undeclared responses. A Reference Object can link to a response that the OpenAPI Object’s components/responses section defines.
4.7.16.2 Patterned Fields
Field Pattern Type Description
HTTP Status Code Response Object | Reference Object Any HTTP status code can be used as the property name, but only one property per code, to describe the expected response for that HTTP status code. A Reference Object can link to a response that is defined in the OpenAPI Object’s components/responses section. This field MUST be enclosed in quotation marks (for example, “200”) for compatibility between JSON and YAML. To define a range of response codes, this field MAY contain the uppercase wildcard character X. For example, 2XX represents all response codes between [200-299]. Only the following range definitions are allowed: 1XX, 2XX, 3XX, 4XX, and 5XX. If a response is defined using an explicit code, the explicit code definition takes precedence over the range definition for that code.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.16.3 Responses Object Example

A 200 response for a successful operation and a default response for others (implying an error):

{
  "200": {
    "description": "a pet to be returned",
    "content": {
      "application/json": {
        "schema": {
          "$ref": "#/components/schemas/Pet"
        }
      }
    }
  },
  "default": {
    "description": "Unexpected error",
    "content": {
      "application/json": {
        "schema": {
          "$ref": "#/components/schemas/ErrorModel"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

'200':
  description: a pet to be returned
  content:
    application/json:
      schema:
        $ref: '#/components/schemas/Pet'
default:
  description: Unexpected error
  content:
    application/json:
      schema:
        $ref: '#/components/schemas/ErrorModel'

4.7.17 Response Object

Describes a single response from an API Operation, including design-time, static links to operations based on the response.

4.7.17.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
description string REQUIRED. A short description of the response. [CommonMark] syntax MAY be used for rich text representation.
headers Map[string, Header Object | Reference Object] Maps a header name to its definition. [RFC7230] Page 22 states header names are case insensitive. If a response header is defined with the name "Content-Type", it SHALL be ignored.
content Map[string, Media Type Object] A map containing descriptions of potential response payloads. The key is a media type or media type range, see [RFC7231] Appendix D, and the value describes it. For responses that match multiple keys, only the most specific key is applicable. e.g. text/plain overrides text/*
links Map[string, Link Object | Reference Object] A map of operations links that can be followed from the response. The key of the map is a short name for the link, following the naming constraints of the names for Component Objects.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.17.2 Response Object Examples

Response of an array of a complex type:

{
  "description": "A complex object array response",
  "content": {
    "application/json": {
      "schema": {
        "type": "array",
        "items": {
          "$ref": "#/components/schemas/VeryComplexType"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

description: A complex object array response
content:
  application/json:
    schema:
      type: array
      items:
        $ref: '#/components/schemas/VeryComplexType'

Response with a string type:

{
  "description": "A simple string response",
  "content": {
    "text/plain": {
      "schema": {
        "type": "string"
      }
    }
  }

}

description: A simple string response
content:
  text/plain:
    schema:
      type: string

Plain text response with headers:

{
  "description": "A simple string response",
  "content": {
    "text/plain": {
      "schema": {
        "type": "string",
        "example": "whoa!"
      }
    }
  },
  "headers": {
    "X-Rate-Limit-Limit": {
      "description": "The number of allowed requests in the current period",
      "schema": {
        "type": "integer"
      }
    },
    "X-Rate-Limit-Remaining": {
      "description": "The number of remaining requests in the current period",
      "schema": {
        "type": "integer"
      }
    },
    "X-Rate-Limit-Reset": {
      "description": "The number of seconds left in the current period",
      "schema": {
        "type": "integer"
      }
    }
  }
}

description: A simple string response
content:
  text/plain:
    schema:
      type: string
    example: 'whoa!'
headers:
  X-Rate-Limit-Limit:
    description: The number of allowed requests in the current period
    schema:
      type: integer
  X-Rate-Limit-Remaining:
    description: The number of remaining requests in the current period
    schema:
      type: integer
  X-Rate-Limit-Reset:
    description: The number of seconds left in the current period
    schema:
      type: integer

Response with no return value:

{
  "description": "object created"
}

description: object created

4.7.18 Callback Object

A map of possible out-of band callbacks related to the parent operation. Each value in the map is a Path Item Object that describes a set of requests that may be initiated by the API provider and the expected responses. The key value used to identify the path item object is an expression, evaluated at runtime, that identifies a URL to use for the callback operation.

4.7.18.1 Patterned Fields
Field Pattern Type Description
{expression} Path Item Object A Path Item Object used to define a callback request and expected responses. A complete example is available.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.18.2 Key Expression

The key that identifies the Path Item Object is a runtime expression that can be evaluated in the context of a runtime HTTP request/response to identify the URL to be used for the callback request. A simple example might be $request.body#/url. However, using a runtime expression the complete HTTP message can be accessed. This includes accessing any part of a body that a JSON Pointer [RFC6901] can reference.

For example, given the following HTTP request:

POST /subscribe/myevent?queryUrl=http://clientdomain.com/stillrunning HTTP/1.1
Host: example.org
Content-Type: application/json
Content-Length: 187

{
  "failedUrl" : "http://clientdomain.com/failed",
  "successUrls" : [
    "http://clientdomain.com/fast",
    "http://clientdomain.com/medium",
    "http://clientdomain.com/slow"
  ]
}

201 Created
Location: http://example.org/subscription/1

The following examples show how the various expressions evaluate, assuming the callback operation has a path parameter named eventType and a query parameter named queryUrl.

Expression Value
$url http://example.org/subscribe/myevent?queryUrl=http://clientdomain.com/stillrunning
$method POST
$request.path.eventType myevent
$request.query.queryUrl http://clientdomain.com/stillrunning
$request.header.content-Type application/json
$request.body#/failedUrl http://clientdomain.com/failed
$request.body#/successUrls/2 http://clientdomain.com/medium
$response.header.Location http://example.org/subscription/1
4.7.18.3 Callback Object Examples

The following example uses the user provided queryUrl query string parameter to define the callback URL. This is an example of how to use a callback object to describe a WebHook callback that goes with the subscription operation to enable registering for the WebHook.

myCallback:
  '{$request.query.queryUrl}':
    post:
      requestBody:
        description: Callback payload
        content:
          'application/json':
            schema:
              $ref: '#/components/schemas/SomePayload'
      responses:
        '200':
          description: callback successfully processed

The following example shows a callback where the server is hard-coded, but the query string parameters are populated from the id and email property in the request body.

transactionCallback:
  'http://notificationServer.com?transactionId={$request.body#/id}&email={$request.body#/email}':
    post:
      requestBody:
        description: Callback payload
        content:
          'application/json':
            schema:
              $ref: '#/components/schemas/SomePayload'
      responses:
        '200':
          description: callback successfully processed

4.7.19 Example Object

4.7.19.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
summary string Short description for the example.
description string Long description for the example. [CommonMark] syntax MAY be used for rich text representation.
value Any Embedded literal example. The value field and externalValue field are mutually exclusive. To represent examples of media types that cannot naturally represented in JSON or YAML, use a string value to contain the example, escaping where necessary.
externalValue string A URL that points to the literal example. This provides the capability to reference examples that cannot easily be included in JSON or YAML documents. The value field and externalValue field are mutually exclusive.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

In all cases, the example value is expected to be compatible with the type schema of its associated value. Tooling implementations MAY choose to validate compatibility automatically, and reject the example value(s) if incompatible.

4.7.19.2 Example Object Examples

In a request body:

requestBody:
  content:
    'application/json':
      schema:
        $ref: '#/components/schemas/Address'
      examples:
        foo:
          summary: A foo example
          value: {"foo": "bar"}
        bar:
          summary: A bar example
          value: {"bar": "baz"}
    'application/xml':
      examples:
        xmlExample:
          summary: This is an example in XML
          externalValue: 'http://example.org/examples/address-example.xml'
    'text/plain':
      examples:
        textExample:
          summary: This is a text example
          externalValue: 'http://foo.bar/examples/address-example.txt'

In a parameter:

parameters:
  - name: 'zipCode'
    in: 'query'
    schema:
      type: 'string'
      format: 'zip-code'
    examples:
      zip-example:
        $ref: '#/components/examples/zip-example'

In a response:

responses:
  '200':
    description: your car appointment has been booked
    content:
      application/json:
        schema:
          $ref: '#/components/schemas/SuccessResponse'
        examples:
          confirmation-success:
            $ref: '#/components/examples/confirmation-success'

4.7.21 Header Object

The Header Object follows the structure of the Parameter Object with the following changes:

  1. name MUST NOT be specified, it is given in the corresponding headers map.
  2. in MUST NOT be specified, it is implicitly in header.
  3. All traits that are affected by the location MUST be applicable to a location of header (for example, style).
4.7.21.1 Header Object Example

A simple header of type integer:

{
  "description": "The number of allowed requests in the current period",
  "schema": {
    "type": "integer"
  }
}

description: The number of allowed requests in the current period
schema:
  type: integer

4.7.22 Tag Object

Adds metadata to a single tag that is used by the Operation Object. It is not mandatory to have a Tag Object per tag defined in the Operation Object instances.

4.7.22.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
name string REQUIRED. The name of the tag.
description string A short description for the tag. [CommonMark] syntax MAY be used for rich text representation.
externalDocs External Documentation Object Additional external documentation for this tag.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.22.2 Tag Object Example
{
	"name": "pet",
	"description": "Pets operations"
}

name: pet
description: Pets operations

4.7.23 Reference Object

A simple object to allow referencing other components in the specification, internally and externally.

The Reference Object is defined by JSON Reference and follows the same structure, behavior and rules.

For this specification, reference resolution is accomplished as defined by the JSON Reference specification and not by the JSON Schema specification.

4.7.23.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
$ref string REQUIRED. The reference string.

This object cannot be extended with additional properties and any properties added SHALL be ignored.

4.7.23.2 Reference Object Example
{
	"$ref": "#/components/schemas/Pet"
}

$ref: '#/components/schemas/Pet'
4.7.23.3 Relative Schema Document Example
{
  "$ref": "Pet.json"
}

$ref: Pet.yaml
4.7.23.4 Relative Documents With Embedded Schema Example
{
  "$ref": "definitions.json#/Pet"
}

$ref: definitions.yaml#/Pet

4.7.24 Schema Object

The Schema Object allows the definition of input and output data types. These types can be objects, but also primitives and arrays. This object is an extended subset of the JSON Schema Specification Wright Draft 00.

For more information about the properties, see JSON Schema Core and JSON Schema Validation. Unless stated otherwise, the property definitions follow the JSON Schema.

4.7.24.1 Properties

The following properties are taken directly from the JSON Schema definition and follow the same specifications:

  • title
  • multipleOf
  • maximum
  • exclusiveMaximum
  • minimum
  • exclusiveMinimum
  • maxLength
  • minLength
  • pattern (This string SHOULD be a valid regular expression, according to the Ecma-262 Edition 5.1 regular expression dialect)
  • maxItems
  • minItems
  • uniqueItems
  • maxProperties
  • minProperties
  • required
  • enum

The following properties are taken from the JSON Schema definition but their definitions were adjusted to the OpenAPI Specification.

  • type - Value MUST be a string. Multiple types via an array are not supported.
  • allOf - Inline or referenced schema MUST be of a Schema Object and not a standard JSON Schema.
  • oneOf - Inline or referenced schema MUST be of a Schema Object and not a standard JSON Schema.
  • anyOf - Inline or referenced schema MUST be of a Schema Object and not a standard JSON Schema.
  • not - Inline or referenced schema MUST be of a Schema Object and not a standard JSON Schema.
  • items - Value MUST be an object and not an array. Inline or referenced schema MUST be of a Schema Object and not a standard JSON Schema. items MUST be present if the type is array.
  • properties - Property definitions MUST be a Schema Object and not a standard JSON Schema (inline or referenced).
  • additionalProperties - Value can be boolean or object. Inline or referenced schema MUST be of a Schema Object and not a standard JSON Schema. Consistent with JSON Schema, additionalProperties defaults to true.
  • description - [CommonMark] syntax MAY be used for rich text representation.
  • format - See Data Type Formats for further details. While relying on JSON Schema’s defined formats, the OAS offers a few additional predefined formats.
  • default - The default value represents what would be assumed by the consumer of the input as the value of the schema if one is not provided. Unlike JSON Schema, the value MUST conform to the defined type for the Schema Object defined at the same level. For example, if type is string, then default can be "foo" but cannot be 1.

Alternatively, any time a Schema Object can be used, a Reference Object can be used in its place. This allows referencing definitions instead of defining them inline.

Additional properties defined by the JSON Schema specification that are not mentioned here are strictly unsupported.

Other than the JSON Schema subset fields, the following fields MAY be used for further schema documentation:

4.7.24.2 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
nullable boolean A true value adds "null" to the allowed type specified by the type keyword, only if type is explicitly defined within the same Schema Object. Other Schema Object constraints retain their defined behavior, and therefore may disallow the use of null as a value. A false value leaves the specified or default type unmodified. The default value is false.
discriminator Discriminator Object Adds support for polymorphism. The discriminator is an object name that is used to differentiate between other schemas which may satisfy the payload description. See Composition and Inheritance for more details.
readOnly boolean Relevant only for Schema "properties" definitions. Declares the property as “read only”. This means that it MAY be sent as part of a response but SHOULD NOT be sent as part of the request. If the property is marked as readOnly being true and is in the required list, the required will take effect on the response only. A property MUST NOT be marked as both readOnly and writeOnly being true. Default value is false.
writeOnly boolean Relevant only for Schema "properties" definitions. Declares the property as “write only”. Therefore, it MAY be sent as part of a request but SHOULD NOT be sent as part of the response. If the property is marked as writeOnly being true and is in the required list, the required will take effect on the request only. A property MUST NOT be marked as both readOnly and writeOnly being true. Default value is false.
xml XML Object This MAY be used only on properties schemas. It has no effect on root schemas. Adds additional metadata to describe the XML representation of this property.
externalDocs External Documentation Object Additional external documentation for this schema.
example Any A free-form property to include an example of an instance for this schema. To represent examples that cannot be naturally represented in JSON or YAML, a string value can be used to contain the example with escaping where necessary.
deprecated boolean Specifies that a schema is deprecated and SHOULD be transitioned out of usage. Default value is false.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.24.2.1 Composition and Inheritance (Polymorphism)

The OpenAPI Specification allows combining and extending model definitions using the allOf property of JSON Schema, in effect offering model composition. allOf takes an array of object definitions that are validated independently but together compose a single object.

While composition offers model extensibility, it does not imply a hierarchy between the models. To support polymorphism, the OpenAPI Specification adds the discriminator field. When used, the discriminator will be the name of the property that decides which schema definition validates the structure of the model. As such, the discriminator field MUST be a required field. There are two ways to define the value of a discriminator for an inheriting instance.

  • Use the schema name.
  • Override the schema name by overriding the property with a new value. If a new value exists, this takes precedence over the schema name. As such, inline schema definitions, which do not have a given id, cannot be used in polymorphism.
4.7.24.2.2 XML Modeling

The xml property allows extra definitions when translating the JSON definition to XML. The XML Object contains additional information about the available options.

4.7.24.3 Schema Object Examples
4.7.24.3.1 Primitive Sample
{
  "type": "string",
  "format": "email"
}

type: string
format: email
4.7.24.3.2 Simple Model
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "name"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "name": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "address": {
      "$ref": "#/components/schemas/Address"
    },
    "age": {
      "type": "integer",
      "format": "int32",
      "minimum": 0
    }
  }
}

type: object
required:
- name
properties:
  name:
    type: string
  address:
    $ref: '#/components/schemas/Address'
  age:
    type: integer
    format: int32
    minimum: 0
4.7.24.3.3 Model with Map/Dictionary Properties

For a simple string to string mapping:

{
  "type": "object",
  "additionalProperties": {
    "type": "string"
  }
}

type: object
additionalProperties:
  type: string

For a string to model mapping:

{
  "type": "object",
  "additionalProperties": {
    "$ref": "#/components/schemas/ComplexModel"
  }
}

type: object
additionalProperties:
  $ref: '#/components/schemas/ComplexModel'
4.7.24.3.4 Model with Example
{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "id": {
      "type": "integer",
      "format": "int64"
    },
    "name": {
      "type": "string"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "name"
  ],
  "example": {
    "name": "Puma",
    "id": 1
  }
}

type: object
properties:
  id:
    type: integer
    format: int64
  name:
    type: string
required:
- name
example:
  name: Puma
  id: 1
4.7.24.3.5 Models with Composition
{
  "components": {
    "schemas": {
      "ErrorModel": {
        "type": "object",
        "required": [
          "message",
          "code"
        ],
        "properties": {
          "message": {
            "type": "string"
          },
          "code": {
            "type": "integer",
            "minimum": 100,
            "maximum": 600
          }
        }
      },
      "ExtendedErrorModel": {
        "allOf": [
          {
            "$ref": "#/components/schemas/ErrorModel"
          },
          {
            "type": "object",
            "required": [
              "rootCause"
            ],
            "properties": {
              "rootCause": {
                "type": "string"
              }
            }
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}

components:
  schemas:
    ErrorModel:
      type: object
      required:
      - message
      - code
      properties:
        message:
          type: string
        code:
          type: integer
          minimum: 100
          maximum: 600
    ExtendedErrorModel:
      allOf:
      - $ref: '#/components/schemas/ErrorModel'
      - type: object
        required:
        - rootCause
        properties:
          rootCause:
            type: string
4.7.24.3.6 Models with Polymorphism Support
{
  "components": {
    "schemas": {
      "Pet": {
        "type": "object",
        "discriminator": {
          "propertyName": "petType"
        },
        "properties": {
          "name": {
            "type": "string"
          },
          "petType": {
            "type": "string"
          }
        },
        "required": [
          "name",
          "petType"
        ]
      },
      "Cat": {
        "description": "A representation of a cat. Note that `Cat` will be used as the discriminator value.",
        "allOf": [
          {
            "$ref": "#/components/schemas/Pet"
          },
          {
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
              "huntingSkill": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "The measured skill for hunting",
                "default": "lazy",
                "enum": [
                  "clueless",
                  "lazy",
                  "adventurous",
                  "aggressive"
                ]
              }
            },
            "required": [
              "huntingSkill"
            ]
          }
        ]
      },
      "Dog": {
        "description": "A representation of a dog. Note that `Dog` will be used as the discriminator value.",
        "allOf": [
          {
            "$ref": "#/components/schemas/Pet"
          },
          {
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
              "packSize": {
                "type": "integer",
                "format": "int32",
                "description": "the size of the pack the dog is from",
                "default": 0,
                "minimum": 0
              }
            },
            "required": [
              "packSize"
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}

components:
  schemas:
    Pet:
      type: object
      discriminator:
        propertyName: petType
      properties:
        name:
          type: string
        petType:
          type: string
      required:
      - name
      - petType
    Cat:  ## "Cat" will be used as the discriminator value
      description: A representation of a cat
      allOf:
      - $ref: '#/components/schemas/Pet'
      - type: object
        properties:
          huntingSkill:
            type: string
            description: The measured skill for hunting
            enum:
            - clueless
            - lazy
            - adventurous
            - aggressive
        required:
        - huntingSkill
    Dog:  ## "Dog" will be used as the discriminator value
      description: A representation of a dog
      allOf:
      - $ref: '#/components/schemas/Pet'
      - type: object
        properties:
          packSize:
            type: integer
            format: int32
            description: the size of the pack the dog is from
            default: 0
            minimum: 0
        required:
        - packSize

4.7.25 Discriminator Object

When request bodies or response payloads may be one of a number of different schemas, a discriminator object can be used to aid in serialization, deserialization, and validation. The discriminator is a specific object in a schema which is used to inform the consumer of the specification of an alternative schema based on the value associated with it.

When using the discriminator, inline schemas will not be considered.

4.7.25.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
propertyName string REQUIRED. The name of the property in the payload that will hold the discriminator value.
mapping Map[string, string] An object to hold mappings between payload values and schema names or references.

The discriminator object is legal only when using one of the composite keywords oneOf, anyOf, allOf.

In OAS 3.0, a response payload MAY be described to be exactly one of any number of types:

MyResponseType:
  oneOf:
  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/Cat'
  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/Dog'
  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/Lizard'

which means the payload MUST, by validation, match exactly one of the schemas described by Cat, Dog, or Lizard. In this case, a discriminator MAY act as a “hint” to shortcut validation and selection of the matching schema which may be a costly operation, depending on the complexity of the schema. We can then describe exactly which field tells us which schema to use:

MyResponseType:
  oneOf:
  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/Cat'
  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/Dog'
  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/Lizard'
  discriminator:
    propertyName: petType

The expectation now is that a property with name petType MUST be present in the response payload, and the value will correspond to the name of a schema defined in the OAS document. Thus the response payload:

{
  "id": 12345,
  "petType": "Cat"
}

Will indicate that the Cat schema be used in conjunction with this payload.

In scenarios where the value of the discriminator field does not match the schema name or implicit mapping is not possible, an optional mapping definition MAY be used:

MyResponseType:
  oneOf:
  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/Cat'
  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/Dog'
  - $ref: '#/components/schemas/Lizard'
  - $ref: 'https://gigantic-server.com/schemas/Monster/schema.json'
  discriminator:
    propertyName: petType
    mapping:
      dog: '#/components/schemas/Dog'
      monster: 'https://gigantic-server.com/schemas/Monster/schema.json'

Here the discriminator value of dog will map to the schema #/components/schemas/Dog, rather than the default (implicit) value of Dog. If the discriminator value does not match an implicit or explicit mapping, no schema can be determined and validation SHOULD fail. Mapping keys MUST be string values, but tooling MAY convert response values to strings for comparison.

When used in conjunction with the anyOf construct, the use of the discriminator can avoid ambiguity where multiple schemas may satisfy a single payload.

In both the oneOf and anyOf use cases, all possible schemas MUST be listed explicitly. To avoid redundancy, the discriminator MAY be added to a parent schema definition, and all schemas comprising the parent schema in an allOf construct may be used as an alternate schema.

For example:

components:
  schemas:
    Pet:
      type: object
      required:
      - petType
      properties:
        petType:
          type: string
      discriminator:
        propertyName: petType
        mapping:
          dog: Dog
    Cat:
      allOf:
      - $ref: '#/components/schemas/Pet'
      - type: object
        # all other properties specific to a `Cat`
        properties:
          name:
            type: string
    Dog:
      allOf:
      - $ref: '#/components/schemas/Pet'
      - type: object
        # all other properties specific to a `Dog`
        properties:
          bark:
            type: string
    Lizard:
      allOf:
      - $ref: '#/components/schemas/Pet'
      - type: object
        # all other properties specific to a `Lizard`
        properties:
          lovesRocks:
            type: boolean

a payload like this:

{
  "petType": "Cat",
  "name": "misty"
}

will indicate that the Cat schema be used. Likewise this schema:

{
  "petType": "dog",
  "bark": "soft"
}

will map to Dog because of the definition in the mappings element.

4.7.26 XML Object

A metadata object that allows for more fine-tuned XML model definitions.

When using arrays, XML element names are not inferred (for singular/plural forms) and the name property SHOULD be used to add that information. See examples for expected behavior.

4.7.26.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
name string Replaces the name of the element/attribute used for the described schema property. When defined within items, it will affect the name of the individual XML elements within the list. When defined alongside type being array (outside the items), it will affect the wrapping element and only if wrapped is true. If wrapped is false, it will be ignored.
namespace string The URI of the namespace definition. Value MUST be in the form of an absolute URI.
prefix string The prefix to be used for the name.
attribute boolean Declares whether the property definition translates to an attribute instead of an element. Default value is false.
wrapped boolean MAY be used only for an array definition. Signifies whether the array is wrapped (for example, <books><book/><book/></books>) or unwrapped (<book/><book/>). Default value is false. The definition takes effect only when defined alongside type being array (outside the items).

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.26.2 XML Object Examples

The examples of the XML object definitions are included inside a property definition of a Schema Object with a sample of the XML representation of it.

4.7.26.2.1 No XML Element

Basic string property:

{
    "animals": {
        "type": "string"
    }
}

animals:
  type: string

<animals>...</animals>

Basic string array property (wrapped is false by default):

{
    "animals": {
        "type": "array",
        "items": {
            "type": "string"
        }
    }
}

animals:
  type: array
  items:
    type: string

<animals>...</animals>
<animals>...</animals>
<animals>...</animals>
4.7.26.2.2 XML Name Replacement
{
  "animals": {
    "type": "string",
    "xml": {
      "name": "animal"
    }
  }
}

animals:
  type: string
  xml:
    name: animal

<animal>...</animal>
4.7.26.2.3 XML Attribute, Prefix and Namespace

In this example, a full model definition is shown.

{
  "Person": {
    "type": "object",
    "properties": {
      "id": {
        "type": "integer",
        "format": "int32",
        "xml": {
          "attribute": true
        }
      },
      "name": {
        "type": "string",
        "xml": {
          "namespace": "http://example.com/schema/sample",
          "prefix": "sample"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Person:
  type: object
  properties:
    id:
      type: integer
      format: int32
      xml:
        attribute: true
    name:
      type: string
      xml:
        namespace: http://example.com/schema/sample
        prefix: sample

<Person id="123">
    <sample:name xmlns:sample="http://example.com/schema/sample">example</sample:name>
</Person>
4.7.26.2.4 XML Arrays

Changing the element names:

{
  "animals": {
    "type": "array",
    "items": {
      "type": "string",
      "xml": {
        "name": "animal"
      }
    }
  }
}

animals:
  type: array
  items:
    type: string
    xml:
      name: animal

<animal>value</animal>
<animal>value</animal>

The external name property has no effect on the XML:

{
  "animals": {
    "type": "array",
    "items": {
      "type": "string",
      "xml": {
        "name": "animal"
      }
    },
    "xml": {
      "name": "aliens"
    }
  }
}

animals:
  type: array
  items:
    type: string
    xml:
      name: animal
  xml:
    name: aliens

<animal>value</animal>
<animal>value</animal>

Even when the array is wrapped, if a name is not explicitly defined, the same name will be used both internally and externally:

{
  "animals": {
    "type": "array",
    "items": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "xml": {
      "wrapped": true
    }
  }
}

animals:
  type: array
  items:
    type: string
  xml:
    wrapped: true

<animals>
  <animals>value</animals>
  <animals>value</animals>
</animals>

To overcome the naming problem in the example above, the following definition can be used:

{
  "animals": {
    "type": "array",
    "items": {
      "type": "string",
      "xml": {
        "name": "animal"
      }
    },
    "xml": {
      "wrapped": true
    }
  }
}

animals:
  type: array
  items:
    type: string
    xml:
      name: animal
  xml:
    wrapped: true

<animals>
  <animal>value</animal>
  <animal>value</animal>
</animals>

Affecting both internal and external names:

{
  "animals": {
    "type": "array",
    "items": {
      "type": "string",
      "xml": {
        "name": "animal"
      }
    },
    "xml": {
      "name": "aliens",
      "wrapped": true
    }
  }
}

animals:
  type: array
  items:
    type: string
    xml:
      name: animal
  xml:
    name: aliens
    wrapped: true

<aliens>
  <animal>value</animal>
  <animal>value</animal>
</aliens>

If we change the external element but not the internal ones:

{
  "animals": {
    "type": "array",
    "items": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "xml": {
      "name": "aliens",
      "wrapped": true
    }
  }
}

animals:
  type: array
  items:
    type: string
  xml:
    name: aliens
    wrapped: true

<aliens>
  <aliens>value</aliens>
  <aliens>value</aliens>
</aliens>

4.7.27 Security Scheme Object

Defines a security scheme that can be used by the operations. Supported schemes are HTTP authentication, an API key (either as a header, a cookie parameter or as a query parameter), OAuth2’s common flows (implicit, password, client credentials and authorization code) as defined in [RFC6749], and OpenID Connect Discovery.

4.7.27.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Applies To Description
type string Any REQUIRED. The type of the security scheme. Valid values are "apiKey", "http", "oauth2", "openIdConnect".
description string Any A short description for security scheme. [CommonMark] syntax MAY be used for rich text representation.
name string apiKey REQUIRED. The name of the header, query or cookie parameter to be used.
in string apiKey REQUIRED. The location of the API key. Valid values are "query", "header" or "cookie".
scheme string http REQUIRED. The name of the HTTP Authorization scheme to be used in the Authorization header as defined in [RFC7235] Section 5.1. The values used SHOULD be registered in the IANA Authentication Scheme registry.
bearerFormat string http ("bearer") A hint to the client to identify how the bearer token is formatted. Bearer tokens are usually generated by an authorization server, so this information is primarily for documentation purposes.
flows OAuth Flows Object oauth2 REQUIRED. An object containing configuration information for the flow types supported.
openIdConnectUrl string openIdConnect REQUIRED. OpenId Connect URL to discover OAuth2 configuration values. This MUST be in the form of a URL.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.27.2 Security Scheme Object Example
4.7.27.2.1 Basic Authentication Sample
{
  "type": "http",
  "scheme": "basic"
}

type: http
scheme: basic
4.7.27.2.2 API Key Sample
{
  "type": "apiKey",
  "name": "api_key",
  "in": "header"
}

type: apiKey
name: api_key
in: header
4.7.27.2.3 JWT Bearer Sample
{
  "type": "http",
  "scheme": "bearer",
  "bearerFormat": "JWT",
}

type: http
scheme: bearer
bearerFormat: JWT
4.7.27.2.4 Implicit OAuth2 Sample
{
  "type": "oauth2",
  "flows": {
    "implicit": {
      "authorizationUrl": "https://example.com/api/oauth/dialog",
      "scopes": {
        "write:pets": "modify pets in your account",
        "read:pets": "read your pets"
      }
    }
  }
}

type: oauth2
flows:
  implicit:
    authorizationUrl: https://example.com/api/oauth/dialog
    scopes:
      write:pets: modify pets in your account
      read:pets: read your pets

4.7.28 OAuth Flows Object

Allows configuration of the supported OAuth Flows.

4.7.28.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Description
implicit OAuth Flow Object Configuration for the OAuth Implicit flow
password OAuth Flow Object Configuration for the OAuth Resource Owner Password flow
clientCredentials OAuth Flow Object Configuration for the OAuth Client Credentials flow. Previously called application in OpenAPI 2.0.
authorizationCode OAuth Flow Object Configuration for the OAuth Authorization Code flow. Previously called accessCode in OpenAPI 2.0.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.29 OAuth Flow Object

Configuration details for a supported OAuth Flow

4.7.29.1 Fixed Fields
Field Name Type Applies To Description
authorizationUrl string oauth2 ("implicit", "authorizationCode") REQUIRED. The authorization URL to be used for this flow. This MUST be in the form of a URL.
tokenUrl string oauth2 ("password", "clientCredentials", "authorizationCode") REQUIRED. The token URL to be used for this flow. This MUST be in the form of a URL.
refreshUrl string oauth2 The URL to be used for obtaining refresh tokens. This MUST be in the form of a URL.
scopes Map[string, string] oauth2 REQUIRED. The available scopes for the OAuth2 security scheme. A map between the scope name and a short description for it. The map MAY be empty.

This object MAY be extended with Specification Extensions.

4.7.29.2 OAuth Flow Object Examples
{
  "type": "oauth2",
  "flows": {
    "implicit": {
      "authorizationUrl": "https://example.com/api/oauth/dialog",
      "scopes": {
        "write:pets": "modify pets in your account",
        "read:pets": "read your pets"
      }
    },
    "authorizationCode": {
      "authorizationUrl": "https://example.com/api/oauth/dialog",
      "tokenUrl": "https://example.com/api/oauth/token",
      "scopes": {
        "write:pets": "modify pets in your account",
        "read:pets": "read your pets"
      }
    }
  }
}

type: oauth2
flows:
  implicit:
    authorizationUrl: https://example.com/api/oauth/dialog
    scopes:
      write:pets: modify pets in your account
      read:pets: read your pets
  authorizationCode:
    authorizationUrl: https://example.com/api/oauth/dialog
    tokenUrl: https://example.com/api/oauth/token
    scopes:
      write:pets: modify pets in your account
      read:pets: read your pets

4.7.30 Security Requirement Object

Lists the required security schemes to execute this operation. The name used for each property MUST correspond to a security scheme declared in the Security Schemes under the Components Object.

Security Requirement Objects that contain multiple schemes require that all schemes MUST be satisfied for a request to be authorized. This enables support for scenarios where multiple query parameters or HTTP headers are required to convey security information.

When a list of Security Requirement Objects is defined on the OpenAPI Object or Operation Object, only one of the Security Requirement Objects in the list needs to be satisfied to authorize the request.

4.7.30.1 Patterned Fields
Field Pattern Type Description
{name} [string] Each name MUST correspond to a security scheme which is declared in the Security Schemes under the Components Object. If the security scheme is of type "oauth2" or "openIdConnect", then the value is a list of scope names required for the execution, and the list MAY be empty if authorization does not require a specified scope. For other security scheme types, the array MUST be empty.
4.7.30.2 Security Requirement Object Examples
4.7.30.2.1 Non-OAuth2 Security Requirement
{
  "api_key": []
}

api_key: []
4.7.30.2.2 OAuth2 Security Requirement
{
  "petstore_auth": [
    "write:pets",
    "read:pets"
  ]
}

petstore_auth:
- write:pets
- read:pets
4.7.30.2.3 Optional OAuth2 Security

Optional OAuth2 security as would be defined in an OpenAPI Object or an Operation Object:

{
  "security": [
    {},
    {
      "petstore_auth": [
        "write:pets",
        "read:pets"
      ]
    }
  ]
}

security:
  - {}
  - petstore_auth:
    - write:pets
    - read:pets

4.8 Specification Extensions

While the OpenAPI Specification tries to accommodate most use cases, additional data can be added to extend the specification at certain points.

The extensions properties are implemented as patterned fields that are always prefixed by "x-".

Field Pattern Type Description
^x- Any Allows extensions to the OpenAPI Schema. The field name MUST begin with x-, for example, x-internal-id. The value can be null, a primitive, an array or an object. Can have any valid JSON format value.

The extensions may or may not be supported by the available tooling, but those may be extended as well to add requested support (if tools are internal or open-sourced).

4.9 Security Filtering

Some objects in the OpenAPI Specification MAY be declared and remain empty, or be completely removed, even though they are inherently the core of the API documentation.

The reasoning is to allow an additional layer of access control over the documentation. While not part of the specification itself, certain libraries MAY choose to allow access to parts of the documentation based on some form of authentication/authorization.

Two examples of this:

  1. The Paths Object MAY be empty. It may be counterintuitive, but this may tell the viewer that they got to the right place, but can’t access any documentation. They’d still have access to the Info Object which may contain additional information regarding authentication.
  2. The Path Item Object MAY be empty. In this case, the viewer will be aware that the path exists, but will not be able to see any of its operations or parameters. This is different from hiding the path itself from the Paths Object, because the user will be aware of its existence. This allows the documentation provider to finely control what the viewer can see.

A. Appendix A: Revision History

Version Date Notes
3.0.3 2020-02-20 Patch release of the OpenAPI Specification 3.0.3
3.0.2 2018-10-08 Patch release of the OpenAPI Specification 3.0.2
3.0.1 2017-12-06 Patch release of the OpenAPI Specification 3.0.1
3.0.0 2017-07-26 Release of the OpenAPI Specification 3.0.0
3.0.0-rc2 2017-06-16 rc2 of the 3.0 specification
3.0.0-rc1 2017-04-27 rc1 of the 3.0 specification
3.0.0-rc0 2017-02-28 Implementer’s Draft of the 3.0 specification
2.0 2015-12-31 Donation of Swagger 2.0 to the OpenAPI Initiative
2.0 2014-09-08 Release of Swagger 2.0
1.2 2014-03-14 Initial release of the formal document.
1.1 2012-08-22 Release of Swagger 1.1
1.0 2011-08-10 First release of the Swagger Specification

B. References

B.1 Normative references

[ABNF]
Augmented BNF for Syntax Specifications: ABNF. D. Crocker, Ed.; P. Overell. IETF. January 2008. Internet Standard. URL: https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc5234
[CommonMark]
CommonMark Spec. URL: https://spec.commonmark.org/
[CommonMark-0.27]
CommonMark Spec, Version 0.27. John MacFarlane. 18 November 2016. URL: https://spec.commonmark.org/0.27/
[IANA-HTTP-AUTHSCHEMES]
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) Authentication Scheme Registry. IANA. URL: https://www.iana.org/assignments/http-authschemes/
[IANA-HTTP-STATUS-CODES]
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) Status Code Registry. IANA. URL: https://www.iana.org/assignments/http-status-codes/
[JSON-Reference]
JSON Reference. Paul Bryan; Kris Zyp. Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). 16 September 2012. Internet-Draft. URL: https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/draft-pbryan-zyp-json-ref-03
[JSON-Schema-05]
JSON Schema: A Media Type for Describing JSON Documents. Draft 5. Austin Wright. Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). 13 October 2016. Internet-Draft. URL: https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/draft-wright-json-schema-00
[JSON-Schema-Validation-05]
JSON Schema Validation: A Vocabulary for Structural Validation of JSON. Draft 5. Austin Wright; G. Luff. Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). 13 October 2016. Internet-Draft. URL: https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/draft-wright-json-schema-validation-00
[RFC1866]
Hypertext Markup Language - 2.0. T. Berners-Lee; D. Connolly. IETF. November 1995. Historic. URL: https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc1866
[RFC2119]
Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate Requirement Levels. S. Bradner. IETF. March 1997. Best Current Practice. URL: https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2119
[RFC3339]
Date and Time on the Internet: Timestamps. G. Klyne; C. Newman. IETF. July 2002. Proposed Standard. URL: https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc3339
[RFC3986]
Uniform Resource Identifier (URI): Generic Syntax. T. Berners-Lee; R. Fielding; L. Masinter. IETF. January 2005. Internet Standard. URL: https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc3986
[RFC6570]
URI Template. J. Gregorio; R. Fielding; M. Hadley; M. Nottingham; D. Orchard. IETF. March 2012. Proposed Standard. URL: https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6570
[RFC6749]
The OAuth 2.0 Authorization Framework. D. Hardt, Ed.. IETF. October 2012. Proposed Standard. URL: https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6749
[RFC6838]
Media Type Specifications and Registration Procedures. N. Freed; J. Klensin; T. Hansen. IETF. January 2013. Best Current Practice. URL: https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6838
[RFC6901]
JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) Pointer. P. Bryan, Ed.; K. Zyp; M. Nottingham, Ed.. IETF. April 2013. Proposed Standard. URL: https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6901
[RFC7159]
The JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) Data Interchange Format. T. Bray, Ed.. IETF. March 2014. Proposed Standard. URL: https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7159
[RFC7230]
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP/1.1): Message Syntax and Routing. R. Fielding, Ed.; J. Reschke, Ed.. IETF. June 2014. Proposed Standard. URL: https://httpwg.org/specs/rfc7230.html
[RFC7231]
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP/1.1): Semantics and Content. R. Fielding, Ed.; J. Reschke, Ed.. IETF. June 2014. Proposed Standard. URL: https://httpwg.org/specs/rfc7231.html
[RFC7235]
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP/1.1): Authentication. R. Fielding, Ed.; J. Reschke, Ed.. IETF. June 2014. Proposed Standard. URL: https://httpwg.org/specs/rfc7235.html
[RFC8174]
Ambiguity of Uppercase vs Lowercase in RFC 2119 Key Words. B. Leiba. IETF. May 2017. Best Current Practice. URL: https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc8174
[YAML]
YAML Ain’t Markup Language (YAML™) Version 1.2. Oren Ben-Kiki; Clark Evans; Ingy döt Net. 1 October 2009. URL: http://yaml.org/spec/1.2/spec.html