OpenAPI Reference: Mintlify vs Powerduck
Short answer: Both render an OpenAPI reference, but the source relationship differs. A generated reference is the spec rendered, so parameter tables, enums, and responses cannot drift. A reference inside a hosted platform is wired to the spec but lives inside a larger product and its bill.
What a reference must stay correct on
Parameter tables, required flags, enums, request and response schemas, and samples. These are the parts that drift when the reference is maintained separately.
Where each approach sits
| Part | Hosted reference | Generated reference |
|---|---|---|
| Parameter tables | Wired to spec | Rendered from spec |
| Responses | Wired | From the contract |
| Surrounding product | Platform | Static export |
| Drift | As configured | Not possible |
The failure that matters
A reference that shows a field the API no longer has, or misses a new one, is the classic drift. A generated reference reflects the current contract, so it cannot be stale.
The decision rule
If the reference is part of a broad docs product, the platform is the natural home. If the reference is the core and must stay exactly synced, generate it.
This is part of the Powerduck vs Mintlify comparison. Next, read code vs spec.