Practical overview
When it fits
Use L3X when you need a CLI-based pattern scan and report for supported Rust or Solidity code, with optional language-model validation of detected findings.
Who it is for
- Developers working with Rust code who want to scan for pattern-based vulnerabilities.
- Solana developers working with Rust smart contracts.
- Ethereum developers working with Solidity contracts.
Documented uses
- Scan a code directory for vulnerabilities covered by L3X's Rust or Solidity patterns.
- Validate detected findings with language models when configured.
- Generate a report of findings and safe patterns for review.
Requirements & limits
- The tool is invoked from the command line and its documented workflow uses Cargo.
- An OpenAI API key is required for the documented validation setup.
- Validation can be skipped, limited to the default critical and high findings, or expanded to all severities.
- The README labels L3X an MVP and says vulnerabilities are detected based on patterns.
Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.
Build and run a L3X scan
Build the CLI and scan a directory containing supported Rust or Solidity code.
Before you start
- Rust toolchain with Cargo, as indicated by the documented cargo build and cargo run commands.
- A directory of Rust or Solidity code to analyze.
- An OpenAI API key set as OPENAI_KEY for validation.
Steps
Build the project with cargo build.
Compile and start it with cargo run.
Run l3x with the target directory, for example: l3x smart-contracts-folder-to-analyse.
Use --all-severities to validate all findings, --no-validation to skip validation, or --model=MODEL to specify an OpenAI model.
Expected outcome
L3X generates a report containing detected vulnerabilities and safe patterns; validated findings are included when validation is enabled.
Guide limitations
- The README describes the project as an MVP and says vulnerability detection is based on patterns.
- The documented default validates only critical and high severity findings.
- The supplied instructions document OpenAI key configuration; support for other model providers is not established.
Sources & review
Source record details
- Source availability
- Active
- Sources checked
- 18 October 2026
- Original website title
- VulnPlanet/l3x · Official homepage title · retained in its source language

