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Tech riderRev. 4 Oct 2026

Google API Linter

Ch 215.5of 22 API Governance Software
  1. 1Runs onself-hosted
  2. 2CostsFree plan
  3. 3Style guide enforcementYes
  4. 4API lintingYes
  5. 5Governed API formatsProtocol Buffers
  6. 6CI/CD integrationYes
6 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: linter.aip.dev
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The Google API Linter homepage

Overview

Google API Linter is ranked #21 of 22 in API governance software on Specifiction. It runs on Self-hosted. There is a free plan.

Google API Linter plans and pricing

All plans
Apache 2.0 open-source software Free No paid plans stated linter.aip.dev · 4 Oct 2026

Compared on API governance software

Style guide enforcement
Yeslinter.aip.dev
API linting
Yeslinter.aip.dev
Governed API formats
Protocol Bufferslinter.aip.dev
CI/CD integration
Yeslinter.aip.dev

Facts

Purpose
The linter checks protocol buffer API surfaces for compliance with Google API standards documented in API Improvement Proposals.linter.aip.dev · 4 Oct 2026
Corrections
When able, the linter suggests fixes for common mistakes and inconsistencies.linter.aip.dev · 4 Oct 2026
Coverage limit
The documentation says some AIP guidance cannot be expressed as lint rules, and some expressible rules may not yet be written.linter.aip.dev · 4 Oct 2026
Rule groups
Rules are grouped by AIP block, with core and client library rules enabled by default and Cloud rules disabled by default.linter.aip.dev · 4 Oct 2026
Configuration
Rules can be configured with CLI flags, a configuration file, or comments in proto files.linter.aip.dev · 4 Oct 2026
Output formats
The CLI supports YAML, JSON, GitHub, and summary table output, with YAML as the default.linter.aip.dev · 4 Oct 2026
Installation
The documentation instructs users to install the CLI with Go install into the local Go binary directory.linter.aip.dev · 4 Oct 2026
Intended users
The tool is for developers working with APIs defined in protocol buffers and API standards.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
License
The software and its documentation are licensed under Apache 2.0.linter.aip.dev · 4 Oct 2026
Contributions
The project accepts contributions, and its contributing guide identifies writing a new lint rule as a common contribution.linter.aip.dev · 4 Oct 2026
Rule requirements
Each linter rule must correspond to an AIP that mandates the behavior.linter.aip.dev · 4 Oct 2026
Support
The project documentation links to GitHub to file an issue and view the source repository.linter.aip.dev · 4 Oct 2026
Versioning
The project says it does not follow semantic versioning because adding or correcting rules can make previously clean files report problems.github.com · 4 Oct 2026

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Sources