diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@faker-js/faker/api.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@faker-js/faker/api.ts
index 2efdfa9fd..12dfaf6e8 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@faker-js/faker/api.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@faker-js/faker/api.ts
@@ -7,25 +7,38 @@ export type IApi = {
   /**
    * Generate a Faker expression for a schema.
    *
-   * Returns an expression that, when executed, produces a valid instance.
+   * Returns an expression that produces a valid instance when executed.
+   * Use when you need one-off generation without referencing shared artifacts.
+   *
+   * @example
+   * ```ts
+   * {
+   *   name: faker.person.fullName(),
+   *   email: faker.internet.email()
+   * }
+   * ```
    */
-  generateValue(schema: IR.SchemaObject): Expression;
+  toNode(schema: IR.SchemaObject): Expression;
   /**
-   * Get a reference to an exported generator function.
+   * Get a reference to a generated Faker expression for a schema.
+   *
+   * Returns a call expression referencing the shared artifact.
+   * If the artifact doesn't exist, it will be created.
    *
-   * Returns an identifier that can be called, e.g., `fakeUser()`
+   * @example
+   * // Returns: fakeUser()
    */
-  getGeneratorRef(schema: IR.SchemaObject): Expression;
+  toNodeRef(schema: IR.SchemaObject): Expression;
 };
 
 export class Api implements IApi {
   // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-unused-vars
-  generateValue(_schema: IR.SchemaObject): Expression {
+  toNode(_schema: IR.SchemaObject): Expression {
     return undefined as any;
   }
 
   // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-unused-vars
-  getGeneratorRef(_schema: IR.SchemaObject): Expression {
+  toNodeRef(_schema: IR.SchemaObject): Expression {
     return undefined as any;
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@hey-api/sdk/shared/class.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@hey-api/sdk/shared/class.ts
index 3906b8904..1dd6c211e 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@hey-api/sdk/shared/class.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@hey-api/sdk/shared/class.ts
@@ -74,10 +74,7 @@ export const createClientClass = ({
 }): ReturnType<typeof $.class> => {
   const symClient = plugin.getSymbol({ category: 'client' });
   const optionalClient = Boolean(plugin.config.client && symClient);
-  const symbolClient = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'client.Client',
-  });
+  const symbolClient = plugin.external('client.Client');
   return $.class(symbol)
     .field('client', (f) => f.protected().type(symbolClient))
     .newline()
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@hey-api/sdk/shared/operation.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@hey-api/sdk/shared/operation.ts
index b43f5a41a..26da27b8c 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@hey-api/sdk/shared/operation.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@hey-api/sdk/shared/operation.ts
@@ -254,10 +254,7 @@ export const operationStatements = ({
   if (operation.body) {
     switch (operation.body.type) {
       case 'form-data': {
-        const symbol = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-          category: 'external',
-          resource: 'client.formDataBodySerializer',
-        });
+        const symbol = plugin.external('client.formDataBodySerializer');
         reqOptions.spread(symbol);
         break;
       }
@@ -270,10 +267,7 @@ export const operationStatements = ({
         reqOptions.prop('bodySerializer', $.literal(null));
         break;
       case 'url-search-params': {
-        const symbol = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-          category: 'external',
-          resource: 'client.urlSearchParamsBodySerializer',
-        });
+        const symbol = plugin.external('client.urlSearchParamsBodySerializer');
         reqOptions.spread(symbol);
         break;
       }
@@ -423,10 +417,7 @@ export const operationStatements = ({
       }
       config.push(shape);
     }
-    const symbol = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-      category: 'external',
-      resource: 'client.buildClientParams',
-    });
+    const symbol = plugin.external('client.buildClientParams');
     statements.push(
       $.const('params').assign(
         $(symbol).call(
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@hey-api/sdk/shared/typeOptions.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@hey-api/sdk/shared/typeOptions.ts
index 034ed45bb..fa55023c7 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@hey-api/sdk/shared/typeOptions.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@hey-api/sdk/shared/typeOptions.ts
@@ -49,12 +49,7 @@ export const createTypeOptions = ({
         t
           .generic('TComposable', (g) =>
             g
-              .extends(
-                plugin.referenceSymbol({
-                  category: 'external',
-                  resource: 'client.Composable',
-                }),
-              )
+              .extends(plugin.external('client.Composable'))
               .default($.type.literal('$fetch')),
           )
           .generic('TData', (g) =>
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@pinia/colada/mutationOptions.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@pinia/colada/mutationOptions.ts
index 1699ce288..869b8f3a4 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@pinia/colada/mutationOptions.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@pinia/colada/mutationOptions.ts
@@ -16,10 +16,9 @@ export const createMutationOptions = ({
   operation: IR.OperationObject;
   plugin: PiniaColadaPlugin['Instance'];
 }): void => {
-  const symbolMutationOptionsType = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: `${plugin.name}.UseMutationOptions`,
-  });
+  const symbolMutationOptionsType = plugin.external(
+    `${plugin.name}.UseMutationOptions`,
+  );
 
   const client = getClientPlugin(plugin.context.config);
   const isNuxtClient = client.name === '@hey-api/client-nuxt';
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@pinia/colada/queryKey.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@pinia/colada/queryKey.ts
index e53e83d8b..2d2d809b8 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@pinia/colada/queryKey.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@pinia/colada/queryKey.ts
@@ -37,10 +37,7 @@ export const createQueryKeyFunction = ({
     resource: 'QueryKey',
     tool: plugin.name,
   });
-  const symbolJsonValue = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: `${plugin.name}._JSONValue`,
-  });
+  const symbolJsonValue = plugin.external(`${plugin.name}._JSONValue`);
 
   const returnType = $.type(symbolQueryKeyType).generic(TOptionsType).idx(0);
 
@@ -157,10 +154,7 @@ export const createQueryKeyType = ({
 }: {
   plugin: PiniaColadaPlugin['Instance'];
 }) => {
-  const symbolJsonValue = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: `${plugin.name}._JSONValue`,
-  });
+  const symbolJsonValue = plugin.external(`${plugin.name}._JSONValue`);
 
   const symbolOptions = plugin.referenceSymbol({
     category: 'type',
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@pinia/colada/queryOptions.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@pinia/colada/queryOptions.ts
index 1158576b2..3108635ae 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@pinia/colada/queryOptions.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@pinia/colada/queryOptions.ts
@@ -137,10 +137,9 @@ export const createQueryOptions = ({
       },
     },
   );
-  const symbolDefineQueryOptions = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: `${plugin.name}.defineQueryOptions`,
-  });
+  const symbolDefineQueryOptions = plugin.external(
+    `${plugin.name}.defineQueryOptions`,
+  );
   const statement = $.const(symbolQueryOptionsFn)
     .export()
     .$if(plugin.config.comments && createOperationComment(operation), (c, v) =>
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@pinia/colada/useType.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@pinia/colada/useType.ts
index 274580b5c..3b18d9742 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@pinia/colada/useType.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@pinia/colada/useType.ts
@@ -32,10 +32,7 @@ export const useTypeError = ({
   });
   const symbolError = symbolErrorType || 'Error';
   if (client.name === '@hey-api/client-axios') {
-    const symbol = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-      category: 'external',
-      resource: 'axios.AxiosError',
-    });
+    const symbol = plugin.external('axios.AxiosError');
     return $.type(symbol).generic(symbolError);
   }
   return $.type(symbolError);
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/shared/useType.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/shared/useType.ts
index b135e983b..dc8e2be37 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/shared/useType.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/shared/useType.ts
@@ -31,16 +31,9 @@ export const useTypeError = ({
     role: 'error',
   });
   const symbolError =
-    symbolErrorType ||
-    plugin.referenceSymbol({
-      category: 'external',
-      resource: `${plugin.name}.DefaultError`,
-    });
+    symbolErrorType || plugin.external(`${plugin.name}.DefaultError`);
   if (client.name === '@hey-api/client-axios') {
-    const symbol = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-      category: 'external',
-      resource: 'axios.AxiosError',
-    });
+    const symbol = plugin.external('axios.AxiosError');
     return $.type(symbol).generic(symbolError);
   }
   return $.type(symbolError);
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/v5/infiniteQueryOptions.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/v5/infiniteQueryOptions.ts
index dcca19314..649e8a03d 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/v5/infiniteQueryOptions.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/v5/infiniteQueryOptions.ts
@@ -144,14 +144,10 @@ export const createInfiniteQueryOptions = ({
     createInfiniteParamsFunction({ plugin });
   }
 
-  const symbolInfiniteQueryOptions = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: `${plugin.name}.infiniteQueryOptions`,
-  });
-  const symbolInfiniteDataType = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: `${plugin.name}.InfiniteData`,
-  });
+  const symbolInfiniteQueryOptions = plugin.external(
+    `${plugin.name}.infiniteQueryOptions`,
+  );
+  const symbolInfiniteDataType = plugin.external(`${plugin.name}.InfiniteData`);
 
   const typeData = useTypeData({ operation, plugin });
   const typeResponse = useTypeResponse({ operation, plugin });
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/v5/mutationOptions.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/v5/mutationOptions.ts
index 1a42526ee..9861f479d 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/v5/mutationOptions.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/v5/mutationOptions.ts
@@ -15,10 +15,9 @@ export const createMutationOptions = ({
   operation: IR.OperationObject;
   plugin: PluginInstance;
 }): void => {
-  const symbolMutationOptionsType = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: `${plugin.name}.MutationOptions`,
-  });
+  const symbolMutationOptionsType = plugin.external(
+    `${plugin.name}.MutationOptions`,
+  );
 
   const typeData = useTypeData({ operation, plugin });
   const mutationType = $.type(symbolMutationOptionsType)
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/v5/queryOptions.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/v5/queryOptions.ts
index 61dc8a667..41fb876ac 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/v5/queryOptions.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/v5/queryOptions.ts
@@ -46,10 +46,7 @@ export const createQueryOptions = ({
     createQueryKeyFunction({ plugin });
   }
 
-  const symbolQueryOptions = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: `${plugin.name}.queryOptions`,
-  });
+  const symbolQueryOptions = plugin.external(`${plugin.name}.queryOptions`);
 
   const symbolQueryKey = plugin.symbol(
     applyNaming(operation.id, plugin.config.queryKeys),
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/v5/useQuery.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/v5/useQuery.ts
index fa08ff11b..5d9963723 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/v5/useQuery.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/@tanstack/query-core/v5/useQuery.ts
@@ -31,10 +31,7 @@ export const createUseQuery = ({
     applyNaming(operation.id, plugin.config.useQuery),
   );
 
-  const symbolUseQuery = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: `${plugin.name}.useQuery`,
-  });
+  const symbolUseQuery = plugin.external(`${plugin.name}.useQuery`);
 
   const isRequiredOptions = isOperationOptionsRequired({
     context: plugin.context,
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/arktype/shared/export.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/arktype/shared/export.ts
index d94322e5f..928e8279e 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/arktype/shared/export.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/arktype/shared/export.ts
@@ -21,10 +21,7 @@ export const exportAst = ({
   symbol: Symbol;
   typeInferSymbol: Symbol | undefined;
 }): void => {
-  const type = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'arktype.type',
-  });
+  const type = plugin.external('arktype.type');
 
   const statement = $.const(symbol)
     .export()
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/arktype/v2/toAst/index.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/arktype/v2/toAst/index.ts
index 326c2e316..272498627 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/arktype/v2/toAst/index.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/arktype/v2/toAst/index.ts
@@ -85,10 +85,7 @@ export const irSchemaWithTypeToAst = ({
     //   });
   }
 
-  const type = args.plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'arktype.type',
-  });
+  const type = args.plugin.external('arktype.type');
 
   const expression = $(type).call(
     $.object()
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/swr/v2/useSwr.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/swr/v2/useSwr.ts
index ff0de7994..aa56677cb 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/swr/v2/useSwr.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/swr/v2/useSwr.ts
@@ -20,10 +20,7 @@ export const createUseSwr = ({
     return;
   }
 
-  const symbolUseSwr = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'swr',
-  });
+  const symbolUseSwr = plugin.external('swr');
   const symbolUseQueryFn = plugin.symbol(
     applyNaming(operation.id, plugin.config.useSwr),
   );
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/shared/export.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/shared/export.ts
index f09ede243..e35d197e7 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/shared/export.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/shared/export.ts
@@ -19,11 +19,7 @@ export const exportAst = ({
   schema: IR.SchemaObject;
   symbol: Symbol;
 }): void => {
-  const v = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'valibot.v',
-  });
-
+  const v = plugin.external('valibot.v');
   const statement = $.const(symbol)
     .export()
     .$if(plugin.config.comments && createSchemaComment(schema), (c, v) =>
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/plugin.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/plugin.ts
index e6f401c55..af9056c29 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/plugin.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/plugin.ts
@@ -36,10 +36,7 @@ export const irSchemaToAst = ({
     pipes: [],
   };
 
-  const v = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'valibot.v',
-  });
+  const v = plugin.external('valibot.v');
 
   if (schema.$ref) {
     const query: SymbolMeta = {
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/array.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/array.ts
index 85a9b5711..250641a8b 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/array.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/array.ts
@@ -21,10 +21,7 @@ export const arrayToAst = ({
     pipes: [],
   };
 
-  const v = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'valibot.v',
-  });
+  const v = plugin.external('valibot.v');
   const functionName = $(v).attr(identifiers.schemas.array);
 
   if (!schema.items) {
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/boolean.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/boolean.ts
index 2d8d738fc..caaf34982 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/boolean.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/boolean.ts
@@ -13,10 +13,7 @@ export const booleanToAst = ({
 }): ReturnType<typeof $.call | typeof $.expr> => {
   const pipes: Array<ReturnType<typeof $.call>> = [];
 
-  const v = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'valibot.v',
-  });
+  const v = plugin.external('valibot.v');
 
   if (typeof schema.const === 'boolean') {
     pipes.push(
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/enum.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/enum.ts
index 864937b39..85f2aaadb 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/enum.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/enum.ts
@@ -35,10 +35,7 @@ export const enumToAst = ({
     });
   }
 
-  const v = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'valibot.v',
-  });
+  const v = plugin.external('valibot.v');
 
   let resultExpression = $(v)
     .attr(identifiers.schemas.picklist)
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/never.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/never.ts
index 937e92814..5913bc52a 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/never.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/never.ts
@@ -9,10 +9,7 @@ export const neverToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'never'>;
 }) => {
-  const v = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'valibot.v',
-  });
+  const v = plugin.external('valibot.v');
   const expression = $(v).attr(identifiers.schemas.never).call();
   return expression;
 };
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/null.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/null.ts
index db4e25f7c..d42ff0f96 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/null.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/null.ts
@@ -9,10 +9,7 @@ export const nullToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'null'>;
 }) => {
-  const v = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'valibot.v',
-  });
+  const v = plugin.external('valibot.v');
   const expression = $(v).attr(identifiers.schemas.null).call();
   return expression;
 };
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/tuple.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/tuple.ts
index a6480e7f5..36d84975a 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/tuple.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/tuple.ts
@@ -18,10 +18,7 @@ export const tupleToAst = ({
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> => {
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
 
-  const v = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'valibot.v',
-  });
+  const v = plugin.external('valibot.v');
 
   if (schema.const && Array.isArray(schema.const)) {
     const tupleElements = schema.const.map((value) =>
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/undefined.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/undefined.ts
index 9d7a9f41d..e3fc0747b 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/undefined.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/undefined.ts
@@ -9,11 +9,7 @@ export const undefinedToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'undefined'>;
 }) => {
-  const v = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'valibot.v',
-  });
-
+  const v = plugin.external('valibot.v');
   const expression = $(v).attr(identifiers.schemas.undefined).call();
   return expression;
 };
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/unknown.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/unknown.ts
index c8765bcf2..ff00e277c 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/unknown.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/unknown.ts
@@ -9,11 +9,7 @@ export const unknownToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'unknown'>;
 }) => {
-  const v = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'valibot.v',
-  });
-
+  const v = plugin.external('valibot.v');
   const expression = $(v).attr(identifiers.schemas.unknown).call();
   return expression;
 };
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/void.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/void.ts
index 375a020a4..0e0e5b692 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/void.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/valibot/v1/toAst/void.ts
@@ -9,11 +9,7 @@ export const voidToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'void'>;
 }) => {
-  const v = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'valibot.v',
-  });
-
+  const v = plugin.external('valibot.v');
   const expression = $(v).attr(identifiers.schemas.void).call();
   return expression;
 };
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/plugin.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/plugin.ts
index 80c43a60c..bd6dc371f 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/plugin.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/plugin.ts
@@ -34,10 +34,7 @@ export const irSchemaToAst = ({
 }): Ast => {
   let ast: Partial<Ast> = {};
 
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
 
   if (schema.$ref) {
     const query: SymbolMeta = {
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/array.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/array.ts
index 2f62be7e8..1488ebfb6 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/array.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/array.ts
@@ -16,10 +16,7 @@ export const arrayToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'array'>;
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> => {
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
 
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
 
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/boolean.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/boolean.ts
index 065f6f7bd..db72e81b2 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/boolean.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/boolean.ts
@@ -13,10 +13,7 @@ export const booleanToAst = ({
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
   let chain: ReturnType<typeof $.call>;
 
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
 
   if (typeof schema.const === 'boolean') {
     chain = $(z).attr(identifiers.literal).call($.literal(schema.const));
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/enum.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/enum.ts
index aabcd77af..11a247b3d 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/enum.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/enum.ts
@@ -12,10 +12,7 @@ export const enumToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'enum'>;
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> => {
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
 
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
 
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/never.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/never.ts
index 05bda512f..a72ba74a8 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/never.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/never.ts
@@ -9,10 +9,7 @@ export const neverToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'never'>;
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> => {
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
   result.expression = $(z).attr(identifiers.never).call();
   return result as Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>;
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/null.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/null.ts
index 52d1a877d..92425ccaa 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/null.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/null.ts
@@ -9,10 +9,7 @@ export const nullToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'null'>;
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> => {
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
   result.expression = $(z).attr(identifiers.null).call();
   return result as Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>;
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/tuple.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/tuple.ts
index 9950206c9..3cd383d71 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/tuple.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/tuple.ts
@@ -14,10 +14,7 @@ export const tupleToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'tuple'>;
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> => {
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
 
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
 
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/undefined.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/undefined.ts
index f3b2726be..b05fdea3a 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/undefined.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/undefined.ts
@@ -9,10 +9,7 @@ export const undefinedToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'undefined'>;
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> => {
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
   result.expression = $(z).attr(identifiers.undefined).call();
   return result as Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>;
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/unknown.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/unknown.ts
index a09101768..59f54db09 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/unknown.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/unknown.ts
@@ -9,10 +9,7 @@ export const unknownToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'unknown'>;
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> => {
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
   result.expression = $(z).attr(identifiers.unknown).call();
   return result as Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>;
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/void.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/void.ts
index cd0ac49ae..ee15683c1 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/void.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/mini/toAst/void.ts
@@ -9,10 +9,7 @@ export const voidToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'void'>;
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> => {
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
   result.expression = $(z).attr(identifiers.void).call();
   return result as Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>;
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/shared/export.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/shared/export.ts
index ae30e02f6..32f2c172f 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/shared/export.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/shared/export.ts
@@ -21,10 +21,7 @@ export const exportAst = ({
   symbol: Symbol;
   typeInferSymbol: Symbol | undefined;
 }): void => {
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
 
   const statement = $.const(symbol)
     .export()
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/plugin.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/plugin.ts
index fcbb7b588..b36a6fb4a 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/plugin.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/plugin.ts
@@ -34,10 +34,7 @@ export const irSchemaToAst = ({
 }): Ast => {
   let ast: Partial<Ast> = {};
 
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
 
   if (schema.$ref) {
     const query: SymbolMeta = {
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/array.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/array.ts
index e87db2572..437d0d9c9 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/array.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/array.ts
@@ -18,10 +18,7 @@ export const arrayToAst = ({
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> & {
   anyType?: string;
 } => {
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
 
   const functionName = $(z).attr(identifiers.array);
 
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/boolean.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/boolean.ts
index 10a649541..1afbc9bc1 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/boolean.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/boolean.ts
@@ -12,10 +12,7 @@ export const booleanToAst = ({
 }): ReturnType<typeof $.call> => {
   let chain: ReturnType<typeof $.call>;
 
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
 
   if (typeof schema.const === 'boolean') {
     chain = $(z).attr(identifiers.literal).call($.literal(schema.const));
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/enum.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/enum.ts
index 76d4dafb9..39f003c29 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/enum.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/enum.ts
@@ -12,10 +12,7 @@ export const enumToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'enum'>;
 }): ReturnType<typeof $.call> => {
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
 
   const enumMembers: Array<ReturnType<typeof $.literal>> = [];
   const literalMembers: Array<ReturnType<typeof $.call>> = [];
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/never.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/never.ts
index 0e71d32f6..11f87881f 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/never.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/never.ts
@@ -9,10 +9,7 @@ export const neverToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'never'>;
 }) => {
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
   const expression = $(z).attr(identifiers.never).call();
   return expression;
 };
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/null.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/null.ts
index 91969aebf..43b98e9f9 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/null.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/null.ts
@@ -9,10 +9,7 @@ export const nullToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'null'>;
 }) => {
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
   const expression = $(z).attr(identifiers.null).call();
   return expression;
 };
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/tuple.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/tuple.ts
index c08e02522..083d8a0d7 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/tuple.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/tuple.ts
@@ -16,10 +16,7 @@ export const tupleToAst = ({
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> & {
   anyType?: string;
 } => {
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
 
   let hasLazyExpression = false;
 
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/undefined.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/undefined.ts
index 207ec6d3c..ba776b832 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/undefined.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/undefined.ts
@@ -9,10 +9,7 @@ export const undefinedToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'undefined'>;
 }) => {
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
   const expression = $(z).attr(identifiers.undefined).call();
   return expression;
 };
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/unknown.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/unknown.ts
index 8327f2df1..f85cb1554 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/unknown.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/unknown.ts
@@ -9,10 +9,7 @@ export const unknownToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'unknown'>;
 }) => {
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
   const expression = $(z).attr(identifiers.unknown).call();
   return expression;
 };
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/void.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/void.ts
index 9f6d53c80..dd691ca39 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/void.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v3/toAst/void.ts
@@ -9,10 +9,7 @@ export const voidToAst = ({
 }: IrSchemaToAstOptions & {
   schema: SchemaWithType<'void'>;
 }) => {
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
   const expression = $(z).attr(identifiers.void).call();
   return expression;
 };
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/plugin.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/plugin.ts
index 169e99122..bf35a8e4c 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/plugin.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/plugin.ts
@@ -34,10 +34,7 @@ export const irSchemaToAst = ({
 }): Ast => {
   let ast: Partial<Ast> = {};
 
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
 
   if (schema.$ref) {
     const query: SymbolMeta = {
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/array.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/array.ts
index 02de0b062..9c03921ec 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/array.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/array.ts
@@ -18,10 +18,7 @@ export const arrayToAst = ({
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> => {
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
 
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
 
   const functionName = $(z).attr(identifiers.array);
 
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/boolean.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/boolean.ts
index 065f6f7bd..db72e81b2 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/boolean.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/boolean.ts
@@ -13,10 +13,7 @@ export const booleanToAst = ({
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
   let chain: ReturnType<typeof $.call>;
 
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
 
   if (typeof schema.const === 'boolean') {
     chain = $(z).attr(identifiers.literal).call($.literal(schema.const));
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/enum.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/enum.ts
index 4abee084a..f97165889 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/enum.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/enum.ts
@@ -14,10 +14,7 @@ export const enumToAst = ({
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> => {
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
 
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
 
   const enumMembers: Array<ReturnType<typeof $.literal>> = [];
   const literalMembers: Array<ReturnType<typeof $.call>> = [];
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/never.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/never.ts
index 3c684d464..9ab7ae986 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/never.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/never.ts
@@ -10,10 +10,7 @@ export const neverToAst = ({
   schema: SchemaWithType<'never'>;
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> => {
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
   result.expression = $(z).attr(identifiers.never).call();
   return result as Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>;
 };
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/null.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/null.ts
index 79785a5b4..72dc1f3ed 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/null.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/null.ts
@@ -10,10 +10,7 @@ export const nullToAst = ({
   schema: SchemaWithType<'null'>;
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> => {
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
   result.expression = $(z).attr(identifiers.null).call();
   return result as Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>;
 };
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/tuple.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/tuple.ts
index f9d194db2..1be5f8dc7 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/tuple.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/tuple.ts
@@ -16,10 +16,7 @@ export const tupleToAst = ({
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> => {
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
 
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
 
   if (schema.const && Array.isArray(schema.const)) {
     const tupleElements = schema.const.map((value) =>
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/undefined.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/undefined.ts
index aa5e63b40..a0be0fa6a 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/undefined.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/undefined.ts
@@ -10,10 +10,7 @@ export const undefinedToAst = ({
   schema: SchemaWithType<'undefined'>;
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> => {
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
   result.expression = $(z).attr(identifiers.undefined).call();
   return result as Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>;
 };
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/unknown.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/unknown.ts
index a0294359c..40218d065 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/unknown.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/unknown.ts
@@ -10,10 +10,7 @@ export const unknownToAst = ({
   schema: SchemaWithType<'unknown'>;
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> => {
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
   result.expression = $(z).attr(identifiers.unknown).call();
   return result as Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>;
 };
diff --git a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/void.ts b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/void.ts
index 5ee35e976..525c59d0f 100644
--- a/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/void.ts
+++ b/packages/openapi-ts/src/plugins/zod/v4/toAst/void.ts
@@ -10,10 +10,7 @@ export const voidToAst = ({
   schema: SchemaWithType<'void'>;
 }): Omit<Ast, 'typeName'> => {
   const result: Partial<Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>> = {};
-  const z = plugin.referenceSymbol({
-    category: 'external',
-    resource: 'zod.z',
-  });
+  const z = plugin.external('zod.z');
   result.expression = $(z).attr(identifiers.void).call();
   return result as Omit<Ast, 'typeName'>;
 };