---

name: webrpc-ridl-schema description: webrpc schema and RIDL syntax

webrpc schema and RIDL syntax skill for LLMs

When to use this skill

Use this skill when the user needs to work with RIDL files.

The RIDL file defines schema for HTTP client/server communications (browser-to-server or service-to-service). The webrpc-gen codegen generates a REST-like API with JSON messages, a subset of REST API conventions, which:

• is not RESTful
• always uses POST method
• uses JSON body only (no path params or query params)

Do and don't

• Prefer editing .ridl files; do not manually edit generated *.gen.* files.
• Keep syntax strict: identifiers are case‑sensitive; spacing is mostly flexible.
• Use ridlfmt after edits when possible.
• Prefer succinct method signatures for request/response structs.
• Avoid mixing succinct and multi‑arg method signatures.
• Don't use circular imports.

Schema header (required)

webrpc = v1
name = <schema-name>
version = <schema-version>
basepath = <api-base-path>

Imports

import "path/to/file.ridl"
import "path/to/file.ridl" (TypeA, ServiceB)

Imports are merged into the current schema and can be limited to named members.

Comments

• # starts a line comment.
• Adjacent comment lines attach to the next definition as doc comments.

Types

Core types: byte, bool, any, null, string, timestamp, uint8/16/32/64, int8/16/32/64, float32/64.

List: []Type, [][]Type

Map: map<key,value>

Struct (message):

struct User
  - id: uint64
  - name?: string  # optional field

Fields are required unless marked optional (?).

Enum:

enum SortOrder: uint32
  - DESC = 0
  - ASC  = 1

If no explicit value is provided, enum values default by index.

Services and methods

service Example
  - Ping()
  - GetUser(userId: uint64) => (user: User)

Succinct form (single struct arg/return only, preferred):

service Example
  - Ping(PingRequest) => (PingResponse)
  - GetUser(GetUserRequest) => (GetUserResponse)

Do not mix succinct form with multi‑arg form in a single method.

Errors

error 100 RateLimited "too many requests" HTTP 429
error 200 UserNotFound "user not found"

Default HTTP status is 400 when omitted.

Annotations

Methods can be annotated:

@deprecated:"use NewMethod instead"
@stampede:3s

Field metadata

Fields can include metadata lines:

  - id: string
    + go.field.name = ID
    + go.field.type = uint64
    + go.tag.json = id,string
    + go.tag.db = id,omitempty
  - createdAt: timestamp
    + go.tag.db = created_at,omitempty
  - updatedAt: timestamp
    + go.tag.db = updated_at,omitempty
  - deletedAt?: timestamp
    + go.tag.db = deleted_at,omitempty
  - featureIndex: int
    + json = - # internal server-only field (omitted in clients)

Good references in this repo

• _examples/golang-basics/example.ridl (small, clear schema)
• schema/README.md (type system)
• schema/ridl/README.md (errors and RIDL notes)

webrpc-gen codegen targets (upstream Go template repositories)

• https://github.com/webrpc/gen-golang
• https://github.com/webrpc/gen-typescript
• https://github.com/webrpc/gen-javascript
• https://github.com/webrpc/gen-kotlin
• https://github.com/webrpc/gen-dart
• https://github.com/webrpc/gen-openapi

Common mistakes

• Missing webrpc = v1.
• Using deprecated message keyword instead of struct.
• Mixing succinct and multi‑arg method signatures.
• Forgetting optional ? on nullable fields.