webrpc
webrpc is a schema-driven code-generation tool for building typed web APIs. You define your API structure in RIDL or JSON format, then generate strongly-typed server and client code across multiple languages (Go, TypeScript, JavaScript, Kotlin, Dart) automatically.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | webrpc/webrpc |
| Owner | webrpc |
| Primary language | Go |
| License | MIT — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 829 |
| Forks | 50 |
| Open issues | 21 |
| Latest release | v0.39.0 (2026-06-30) |
| Last updated | 2026-06-30 |
| Source | https://github.com/webrpc/webrpc |
What webrpc is
webrpc generates HTTP/JSON-based RPC server and client implementations from a declarative schema. It produces strongly-typed request/response payloads, server interfaces, and complete client libraries, eliminating manual API contract negotiation and client code writing.
Get the webrpc source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/webrpc/webrpc.gitcd webrpc# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Schema-first workflow: teams must design the RIDL or JSON schema before backend implementation. Requires discipline and upfront API design.
- Code generation step in build pipeline: webrpc-gen must run during builds. Integrate into Makefile, CI/CD, or package.json scripts.
- Handler implementation: generated server code provides interfaces/base classes; developers still write business logic in each handler.
- Schema versioning strategy: plan for backward compatibility when evolving the schema, especially if clients are externally deployed.
- Error handling alignment: error codes in schema must map to appropriate HTTP status codes; ensure consistent error contract across generated code.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- High-throughput service-to-service communication — JSON overhead and lack of binary protocol make this unsuitable for latency-sensitive internal services. gRPC or Protocol Buffers are more appropriate.
- Streaming or real-time requirements — webrpc is request-response RPC. Bidirectional streaming, Server-Sent Events, or WebSocket patterns are not built-in and would require custom implementation.
- GraphQL-first architecture — If your product strategy centers on GraphQL queries and subscriptions, webrpc's RPC model will create friction; use a GraphQL framework instead.
- Highly dynamic or unstructured data — webrpc requires upfront schema definition. Schemaless or rapidly evolving data models benefit from manual API design or schema-less approaches.
License & commercial use
MIT License. Permissive OSI-approved license allowing commercial use, modification, and redistribution with attribution.
MIT is a permissive license clearly allowing commercial use without restriction. No proprietary components or copyleft clauses identified in the license. Suitable for commercial products and closed-source integration.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Low |
| DEV.co fit | Strong |
| Assessment confidence | High |
No explicit security audit or disclosure policy mentioned in provided data. Standard HTTP/JSON surface applies industry best practices for TLS, input validation, and CORS. Generated code does not appear to include built-in authentication/authorization frameworks; teams must implement independently. Requires review of generated code and schema design for application-specific threat modeling.
Alternatives to consider
gRPC + Protocol Buffers
Industry standard for polyglot services with binary protocol efficiency. Better for high-throughput service-to-service communication but less browser-native and requires more infrastructure complexity.
Twirp
Similar schema-driven RPC approach (also JSON-over-HTTP, simpler than gRPC). Smaller ecosystem and fewer language generators compared to webrpc; stronger Golang focus.
GraphQL
Query language approach for flexible client data fetching. Steeper learning curve and different mental model; better for exploratory/dynamic queries, worse for simple CRUD operations.
Build on webrpc with DEV.co software developers
Start with a webrpc schema. Define your API once, generate strongly-typed server and clients across all your platforms. See the hello-webrpc example to get running in minutes.
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webrpc FAQ
Do I have to use RIDL or can I write the schema in JSON?
What if I need to change the schema after clients are deployed?
Can webrpc handle authentication and authorization?
Is there TypeScript support?
Software developers & web developers for hire
Need help beyond evaluating webrpc? DEV.co is a software development agency offering software development services and web development for teams of every size. Our software developers and web developers build custom software, web applications, APIs, and ai coding agents integrations — and maintain them long-term.
Ready to eliminate API boilerplate?
Start with a webrpc schema. Define your API once, generate strongly-typed server and clients across all your platforms. See the hello-webrpc example to get running in minutes.