Buf

Buf is a toolchain for working with Protocol Buffers and gRPC. Its command-line tool lints schemas and generates code, and its schema registry publishes and governs them.

The Buf CLI supports local Protobuf development, including linting, code generation through local and remote plugins, and policy checks that help avoid breaking API changes. The Buf Schema Registry hosts schemas and can generate SDKs and API documentation from them. Buf also maintains ConnectRPC and protovalidate, along with language tooling such as a compiler and LSP support.

• Lint Protobuf schemas with the Buf CLI
• Generate code with local or remote plugins
• Policy checks for API changes
• Generate SDKs and API documentation from schemas

• Backend teams using gRPC
• API platform teams managing shared schemas
• Mobile and web teams consuming Protobuf APIs

The Buf CLI is open source under the Apache-2.0 license. The schema registry is a separate hosted product, and the site links to a pricing page for its plans. Check that page for current limits before relying on the hosted registry.