A new Laravel package called API Inspector automates the tedious process of documenting REST APIs. It parses routes, FormRequest validation rules, and API Resources to generate comprehensive documentation. The tool creates Postman collections, OpenAPI/Swagger specs, and HTML docs, aiming to replace manual work with code-driven automation.

Developed for Laravel 10+ and PHP 8.1+, the package integrates deeply with the framework's ecosystem. It captures real API responses through middleware, storing them as example data. This addresses a common developer pain point: keeping documentation synchronized with evolving codebases, which often falls behind manual updates.

Installation requires just two composer commands. After setup, developers can view documentation at a local endpoint. The tool also offers advanced features like response caching, analytics tracking, and a dashboard for monitoring API performance. It represents a shift toward 'docs-as-code' for Laravel developers.