As .NET 9 draws closer, a major shift is underway for API development teams. For years, Swagger—enabled through the Swashbuckle library—has been a go-to tool for automatically generating API documentation. Its familiar interface and ease of use made it popular across development teams. But recent changes in the .NET ecosystem have raised a key question: is it time to move on?
A client project with complex APIs brought this debate into focus. While Swagger simplified early documentation efforts, its limitations became clear as business needs grew. Swashbuckle generated documentation that was too generic, lacking the detail and customization required to align with evolving API structures and enterprise expectations. Moreover, Swashbuckle's update cadence began to lag behind the pace of .NET innovation—raising concerns about future compatibility.
To address this, the team transitioned to Microsoft.AspNetCore.OpenApi, a Microsoft-supported library now positioned as the native way to generate OpenAPI documents within .NET. This approach offered several key advantages: better alignment with .NET 9 architecture, a more sustainable long-term path, and clearer interoperability across systems.
This shift wasn't just about technology—it was about stability, maintainability, and future-readiness. With Microsoft driving OpenAPI support directly, development teams can rely on consistent updates and support that aligns with the core platform. It also eliminates the risks associated with relying on third-party tools that may not scale or evolve alongside business needs.
The broader takeaway is clear. While community tools play a valuable role, relying on native or officially supported libraries often provides a more strategic foundation for enterprise-grade development. For organizations preparing for .NET 9 and beyond, now is the time to evaluate current dependencies and plan for a future-proof API strategy.
By taking proactive steps to adopt the tools best aligned with the platform's direction, development teams can deliver robust, well-documented APIs that grow with the business—without sacrificing speed, security, or maintainability.