diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/callback.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/callback.go
index 054ca6d..1bd8f12 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/callback.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/callback.go
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
 
@@ -14,22 +16,28 @@ func (cb *Callback) FindExpression(exp string) *low.ValueReference[*PathItem] {
 	return FindItemInMap[*PathItem](exp, cb.Expression.Value)
 }
 
-func (cb *Callback) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	cb.Extensions = extensionMap
+func (cb *Callback) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	cb.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 
 	// handle callback
 	var currentCB *yaml.Node
 	callbacks := make(map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[*PathItem])
+
+	if ok, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(root); ok {
+		r := LocateRefNode(root, idx)
+		if r != nil {
+			root = r
+		} else {
+			return nil
+		}
+	}
+
 	for i, callbackNode := range root.Content {
 		if i%2 == 0 {
 			currentCB = callbackNode
 			continue
 		}
-		callback, eErr := ExtractObjectRaw[*PathItem](callbackNode)
+		callback, eErr := ExtractObjectRaw[*PathItem](callbackNode, idx)
 		if eErr != nil {
 			return eErr
 		}
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/callback_test.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/callback_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..262c477
--- /dev/null
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/callback_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+package v3
+
+import (
+    "github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+    "gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
+    "testing"
+)
+
+func TestCallback_Build_Success(t *testing.T) {
+
+    yml := `'{$request.query.queryUrl}':
+    post:
+      requestBody:
+        description: Callback payload
+        content: 
+          'application/json':
+            schema:
+              type: string
+      responses:
+        '200':
+          description: callback successfully processed`
+
+    var rootNode yaml.Node
+    mErr := yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &rootNode)
+    assert.NoError(t, mErr)
+
+    var n Callback
+    err := BuildModel(rootNode.Content[0], &n)
+    assert.NoError(t, err)
+
+    err = n.Build(rootNode.Content[0], nil)
+    assert.NoError(t, err)
+
+    assert.Len(t, n.Expression.Value, 1)
+
+}
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/components.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/components.go
index fe723f7..462dc96 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/components.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/components.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
@@ -56,12 +57,8 @@ func (co *Components) FindCallback(callback string) *low.ValueReference[*Callbac
 	return FindItemInMap[*Callback](callback, co.Callbacks.Value)
 }
 
-func (co *Components) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	co.Extensions = extensionMap
+func (co *Components) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	co.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 
 	// build out components asynchronously for speed. There could be some significant weight here.
 	skipChan := make(chan bool)
@@ -76,15 +73,15 @@ func (co *Components) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
 	linkChan := make(chan low.NodeReference[map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[*Link]])
 	callbackChan := make(chan low.NodeReference[map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[*Callback]])
 
-	go extractComponentValues[*Schema](SchemasLabel, root, skipChan, errorChan, schemaChan)
-	go extractComponentValues[*Parameter](ParametersLabel, root, skipChan, errorChan, paramChan)
-	go extractComponentValues[*Response](ResponsesLabel, root, skipChan, errorChan, responsesChan)
-	go extractComponentValues[*Example](ExamplesLabel, root, skipChan, errorChan, examplesChan)
-	go extractComponentValues[*RequestBody](RequestBodiesLabel, root, skipChan, errorChan, requestBodiesChan)
-	go extractComponentValues[*Header](HeadersLabel, root, skipChan, errorChan, headersChan)
-	go extractComponentValues[*SecurityScheme](SecuritySchemesLabel, root, skipChan, errorChan, securitySchemesChan)
-	go extractComponentValues[*Link](LinksLabel, root, skipChan, errorChan, linkChan)
-	go extractComponentValues[*Callback](CallbacksLabel, root, skipChan, errorChan, callbackChan)
+	go extractComponentValues[*Schema](SchemasLabel, root, skipChan, errorChan, schemaChan, idx)
+	go extractComponentValues[*Parameter](ParametersLabel, root, skipChan, errorChan, paramChan, idx)
+	go extractComponentValues[*Response](ResponsesLabel, root, skipChan, errorChan, responsesChan, idx)
+	go extractComponentValues[*Example](ExamplesLabel, root, skipChan, errorChan, examplesChan, idx)
+	go extractComponentValues[*RequestBody](RequestBodiesLabel, root, skipChan, errorChan, requestBodiesChan, idx)
+	go extractComponentValues[*Header](HeadersLabel, root, skipChan, errorChan, headersChan, idx)
+	go extractComponentValues[*SecurityScheme](SecuritySchemesLabel, root, skipChan, errorChan, securitySchemesChan, idx)
+	go extractComponentValues[*Link](LinksLabel, root, skipChan, errorChan, linkChan, idx)
+	go extractComponentValues[*Callback](CallbacksLabel, root, skipChan, errorChan, callbackChan, idx)
 
 	n := 0
 	total := 9
@@ -159,7 +156,7 @@ allDone:
 }
 
 func extractComponentValues[T low.Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node,
-	skip chan bool, errorChan chan<- error, resultChan chan<- low.NodeReference[map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[T]]) {
+	skip chan bool, errorChan chan<- error, resultChan chan<- low.NodeReference[map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[T]], idx *index.SpecIndex) {
 	_, nodeLabel, nodeValue := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(label, root.Content)
 	if nodeValue == nil {
 		skip <- true
@@ -177,7 +174,7 @@ func extractComponentValues[T low.Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.
 		if err != nil {
 			errorChan <- err
 		}
-		err = n.Build(v)
+		err = n.Build(v, idx)
 		if err != nil {
 			errorChan <- err
 		}
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/encoding.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/encoding.go
index 4a21955..7ccab40 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/encoding.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/encoding.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
 
@@ -21,9 +22,9 @@ func (en *Encoding) FindHeader(hType string) *low.ValueReference[*Header] {
 	return FindItemInMap[*Header](hType, en.Headers.Value)
 }
 
-func (en *Encoding) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
+func (en *Encoding) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
 
-	headers, hL, hN, err := ExtractMapFlat[*Header](HeadersLabel, root)
+	headers, hL, hN, err := ExtractMapFlat[*Header](HeadersLabel, root, idx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/example.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/example.go
index e020e01..3002588 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/example.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/example.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
@@ -20,19 +21,14 @@ type Example struct {
 	Extensions    map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[any]
 }
 
-func (ex *Example) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-	// extract extensions
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	ex.Extensions = extensionMap
+func (ex *Example) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	ex.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 
 	// extract value
 	_, ln, vn := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(ValueLabel, root.Content)
 	if vn != nil {
 		var n map[string]interface{}
-		err = vn.Decode(&n)
+		err := vn.Decode(&n)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/external_doc.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/external_doc.go
index 5dd4d32..dea0958 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/external_doc.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/external_doc.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
 
@@ -11,12 +12,7 @@ type ExternalDoc struct {
 	Extensions  map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[any]
 }
 
-func (ex *ExternalDoc) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-	// extract extensions
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	ex.Extensions = extensionMap
+func (ex *ExternalDoc) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	ex.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/extraction_functions.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/extraction_functions.go
index 5d59754..136864f 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/extraction_functions.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/extraction_functions.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 	"strconv"
@@ -9,6 +10,13 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 )
 
+var KnownSchemas map[string]low.NodeReference[*Schema]
+
+func init() {
+	KnownSchemas = make(map[string]low.NodeReference[*Schema])
+
+}
+
 func FindItemInMap[T any](item string, collection map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[T]) *low.ValueReference[T] {
 	for n, o := range collection {
 		if n.Value == item {
@@ -18,15 +26,34 @@ func FindItemInMap[T any](item string, collection map[low.KeyReference[string]]l
 	return nil
 }
 
-func ExtractSchema(root *yaml.Node) (*low.NodeReference[*Schema], error) {
-	_, schLabel, schNode := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(SchemaLabel, root.Content)
+func ExtractSchema(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) (*low.NodeReference[*Schema], error) {
+	var schLabel, schNode *yaml.Node
+	if rf, rl, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(root); rf {
+		// locate reference in index.
+		ref := LocateRefNode(root, idx)
+		if ref != nil {
+			schNode = ref
+			schLabel = rl
+		}
+	} else {
+		_, schLabel, schNode = utils.FindKeyNodeFull(SchemaLabel, root.Content)
+		if schNode != nil {
+			if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(schNode); h {
+				ref := LocateRefNode(schNode, idx)
+				if ref != nil {
+					schNode = ref
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
 	if schNode != nil {
 		var schema Schema
 		err := BuildModel(schNode, &schema)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-		err = schema.Build(schNode)
+		err = schema.Build(schNode, idx)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -37,21 +64,49 @@ func ExtractSchema(root *yaml.Node) (*low.NodeReference[*Schema], error) {
 
 var mapLock sync.Mutex
 
-func ExtractObjectRaw[T low.Buildable[N], N any](root *yaml.Node) (T, error) {
+func LocateRefNode(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) *yaml.Node {
+	if rf, _, rv := utils.IsNodeRefValue(root); rf {
+		found := idx.GetMappedReferences()
+		if found != nil && found[rv] != nil {
+			return found[rv].Node
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func ExtractObjectRaw[T low.Buildable[N], N any](root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) (T, error) {
 	var n T = new(N)
 	err := BuildModel(root, n)
 	if err != nil {
 		return n, err
 	}
-	err = n.Build(root)
+	err = n.Build(root, idx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return n, err
 	}
 	return n, nil
 }
 
-func ExtractObject[T low.Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node) (low.NodeReference[T], error) {
-	_, ln, vn := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(label, root.Content)
+func ExtractObject[T low.Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) (low.NodeReference[T], error) {
+	var ln, vn *yaml.Node
+	if rf, rl, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(root); rf {
+		// locate reference in index.
+		ref := LocateRefNode(root, idx)
+		if ref != nil {
+			vn = ref
+			ln = rl
+		}
+	} else {
+		_, ln, vn = utils.FindKeyNodeFull(label, root.Content)
+		if vn != nil {
+			if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(vn); h {
+				ref := LocateRefNode(vn, idx)
+				if ref != nil {
+					vn = ref
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
 	var n T = new(N)
 	err := BuildModel(vn, n)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -60,7 +115,7 @@ func ExtractObject[T low.Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node) (lo
 	if ln == nil {
 		return low.NodeReference[T]{}, nil
 	}
-	err = n.Build(vn)
+	err = n.Build(vn, idx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return low.NodeReference[T]{}, err
 	}
@@ -71,17 +126,41 @@ func ExtractObject[T low.Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node) (lo
 	}, nil
 }
 
-func ExtractArray[T low.Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node) ([]low.ValueReference[T], *yaml.Node, *yaml.Node, error) {
-	_, ln, vn := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(label, root.Content)
+func ExtractArray[T low.Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) ([]low.ValueReference[T], *yaml.Node, *yaml.Node, error) {
+	var ln, vn *yaml.Node
+	if rf, rl, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(root); rf {
+		// locate reference in index.
+		ref := LocateRefNode(root, idx)
+		if ref != nil {
+			vn = ref
+			ln = rl
+		}
+	} else {
+		_, ln, vn = utils.FindKeyNodeFull(label, root.Content)
+		if vn != nil {
+			if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(vn); h {
+				ref := LocateRefNode(vn, idx)
+				if ref != nil {
+					vn = ref
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
 	var items []low.ValueReference[T]
 	if vn != nil && ln != nil {
 		for _, node := range vn.Content {
+			if rf, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(node); rf {
+				ref := LocateRefNode(node, idx)
+				if ref != nil {
+					node = ref
+				}
+			}
 			var n T = new(N)
 			err := BuildModel(node, n)
 			if err != nil {
 				return []low.ValueReference[T]{}, ln, vn, err
 			}
-			berr := n.Build(node)
+			berr := n.Build(node, idx)
 			if berr != nil {
 				return nil, ln, vn, berr
 			}
@@ -94,7 +173,7 @@ func ExtractArray[T low.Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node) ([]l
 	return items, ln, vn, nil
 }
 
-func ExtractMapFlatNoLookup[PT low.Buildable[N], N any](root *yaml.Node) (map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[PT], error) {
+func ExtractMapFlatNoLookup[PT low.Buildable[N], N any](root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) (map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[PT], error) {
 	valueMap := make(map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[PT])
 	if utils.IsNodeMap(root) {
 		var currentKey *yaml.Node
@@ -108,7 +187,7 @@ func ExtractMapFlatNoLookup[PT low.Buildable[N], N any](root *yaml.Node) (map[lo
 			if err != nil {
 				return nil, err
 			}
-			berr := n.Build(node)
+			berr := n.Build(node, idx)
 			if berr != nil {
 				return nil, berr
 			}
@@ -124,8 +203,26 @@ func ExtractMapFlatNoLookup[PT low.Buildable[N], N any](root *yaml.Node) (map[lo
 	return valueMap, nil
 }
 
-func ExtractMapFlat[PT low.Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node) (map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[PT], *yaml.Node, *yaml.Node, error) {
-	_, labelNode, valueNode := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(label, root.Content)
+func ExtractMapFlat[PT low.Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) (map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[PT], *yaml.Node, *yaml.Node, error) {
+	var labelNode, valueNode *yaml.Node
+	if rf, rl, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(root); rf {
+		// locate reference in index.
+		ref := LocateRefNode(root, idx)
+		if ref != nil {
+			valueNode = ref
+			labelNode = rl
+		}
+	} else {
+		_, labelNode, valueNode = utils.FindKeyNodeFull(label, root.Content)
+		if valueNode != nil {
+			if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(valueNode); h {
+				ref := LocateRefNode(valueNode, idx)
+				if ref != nil {
+					valueNode = ref
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
 	if valueNode != nil {
 		var currentLabelNode *yaml.Node
 		valueMap := make(map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[PT])
@@ -134,6 +231,15 @@ func ExtractMapFlat[PT low.Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node) (
 				currentLabelNode = en
 				continue
 			}
+
+			// check our valueNode isn't a reference still.
+			if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(en); h {
+				ref := LocateRefNode(en, idx)
+				if ref != nil {
+					en = ref
+				}
+			}
+
 			if strings.HasPrefix(strings.ToLower(currentLabelNode.Value), "x-") {
 				continue // yo, don't pay any attention to extensions, not here anyway.
 			}
@@ -142,7 +248,7 @@ func ExtractMapFlat[PT low.Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node) (
 			if err != nil {
 				return nil, labelNode, valueNode, err
 			}
-			berr := n.Build(en)
+			berr := n.Build(en, idx)
 			if berr != nil {
 				return nil, labelNode, valueNode, berr
 			}
@@ -159,8 +265,19 @@ func ExtractMapFlat[PT low.Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node) (
 	return nil, labelNode, valueNode, nil
 }
 
-func ExtractMap[PT low.Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node) (map[low.KeyReference[string]]map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[PT], error) {
-	_, labelNode, valueNode := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(label, root.Content)
+func ExtractMap[PT low.Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) (map[low.KeyReference[string]]map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[PT], error) {
+	var labelNode, valueNode *yaml.Node
+	if rf, rl, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(root); rf {
+		// locate reference in index.
+		ref := LocateRefNode(root, idx)
+		if ref != nil {
+			valueNode = ref
+			labelNode = rl
+		}
+	} else {
+		_, labelNode, valueNode = utils.FindKeyNodeFull(label, root.Content)
+	}
+
 	if valueNode != nil {
 		var currentLabelNode *yaml.Node
 		valueMap := make(map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[PT])
@@ -177,7 +294,7 @@ func ExtractMap[PT low.Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node) (map[
 			if err != nil {
 				return nil, err
 			}
-			berr := n.Build(en)
+			berr := n.Build(en, idx)
 			if berr != nil {
 				return nil, berr
 			}
@@ -199,16 +316,13 @@ func ExtractMap[PT low.Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node) (map[
 	return nil, nil
 }
 
-func ExtractExtensions(root *yaml.Node) (map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[any], error) {
+func ExtractExtensions(root *yaml.Node) map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[any] {
 	extensions := utils.FindExtensionNodes(root.Content)
 	extensionMap := make(map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[any])
 	for _, ext := range extensions {
 		if utils.IsNodeMap(ext.Value) {
 			var v interface{}
-			err := ext.Value.Decode(&v)
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, err
-			}
+			_ = ext.Value.Decode(&v)
 			extensionMap[low.KeyReference[string]{
 				Value:   ext.Key.Value,
 				KeyNode: ext.Key,
@@ -243,15 +357,12 @@ func ExtractExtensions(root *yaml.Node) (map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueR
 		}
 		if utils.IsNodeArray(ext.Value) {
 			var v []interface{}
-			err := ext.Value.Decode(&v)
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, err
-			}
+			_ = ext.Value.Decode(&v)
 			extensionMap[low.KeyReference[string]{
 				Value:   ext.Key.Value,
 				KeyNode: ext.Key,
 			}] = low.ValueReference[any]{Value: v, ValueNode: ext.Value}
 		}
 	}
-	return extensionMap, nil
+	return extensionMap
 }
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/header.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/header.go
index 0324cac..95a9954 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/header.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/header.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
 
@@ -24,16 +25,11 @@ type Header struct {
 	Extensions      map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[any]
 }
 
-func (h *Header) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-	// extract extensions
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	h.Extensions = extensionMap
+func (h *Header) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	h.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 
 	// handle examples if set.
-	exps, eErr := ExtractMap[*Example](ExamplesLabel, root)
+	exps, eErr := ExtractMap[*Example](ExamplesLabel, root, idx)
 	if eErr != nil {
 		return eErr
 	}
@@ -42,7 +38,7 @@ func (h *Header) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
 	}
 
 	// handle schema
-	sch, sErr := ExtractSchema(root)
+	sch, sErr := ExtractSchema(root, idx)
 	if sErr != nil {
 		return nil
 	}
@@ -51,7 +47,7 @@ func (h *Header) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
 	}
 
 	// handle content, if set.
-	con, cErr := ExtractMap[*MediaType](ContentLabel, root)
+	con, cErr := ExtractMap[*MediaType](ContentLabel, root, idx)
 	if cErr != nil {
 		return cErr
 	}
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/link.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/link.go
index 362b9e2..6903018 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/link.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/link.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
@@ -20,12 +21,8 @@ func (l *Link) FindParameter(pName string) *low.ValueReference[string] {
 	return FindItemInMap[string](pName, l.Parameters.Value)
 }
 
-func (l *Link) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	l.Extensions = extensionMap
+func (l *Link) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	l.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 
 	// extract parameters
 	_, pl, pv := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(ParametersLabel, root.Content)
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/media_type.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/media_type.go
index b8b07b0..cd4b8df 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/media_type.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/media_type.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
@@ -26,14 +27,8 @@ func (mt *MediaType) GetAllExamples() map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueRefe
 	return mt.Examples.Value
 }
 
-func (mt *MediaType) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-
-	// extract extensions
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	mt.Extensions = extensionMap
+func (mt *MediaType) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	mt.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 
 	// handle example if set.
 	_, expLabel, expNode := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(ExampleLabel, root.Content)
@@ -42,7 +37,7 @@ func (mt *MediaType) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
 	}
 
 	// handle schema
-	sch, sErr := ExtractSchema(root)
+	sch, sErr := ExtractSchema(root, idx)
 	if sErr != nil {
 		return nil
 	}
@@ -51,7 +46,7 @@ func (mt *MediaType) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
 	}
 
 	// handle examples if set.
-	exps, expsL, expsN, eErr := ExtractMapFlat[*Example](ExamplesLabel, root)
+	exps, expsL, expsN, eErr := ExtractMapFlat[*Example](ExamplesLabel, root, idx)
 	if eErr != nil {
 		return eErr
 	}
@@ -64,9 +59,9 @@ func (mt *MediaType) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
 	}
 
 	// handle encoding
-	encs, encsL, encsN, encErr := ExtractMapFlat[*Encoding](EncodingLabel, root)
+	encs, encsL, encsN, encErr := ExtractMapFlat[*Encoding](EncodingLabel, root, idx)
 	if encErr != nil {
-		return err
+		return encErr
 	}
 	if encs != nil {
 		mt.Encoding = low.NodeReference[map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[*Encoding]]{
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/oauth_flows.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/oauth_flows.go
index 801b64a..80c490f 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/oauth_flows.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/oauth_flows.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
@@ -22,32 +23,28 @@ type OAuthFlows struct {
 	Extensions        map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[any]
 }
 
-func (o *OAuthFlows) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	o.Extensions = extensionMap
+func (o *OAuthFlows) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	o.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 
-	v, vErr := ExtractObject[*OAuthFlow](ImplicitLabel, root)
+	v, vErr := ExtractObject[*OAuthFlow](ImplicitLabel, root, idx)
 	if vErr != nil {
 		return vErr
 	}
 	o.Implicit = v
 
-	v, vErr = ExtractObject[*OAuthFlow](PasswordLabel, root)
+	v, vErr = ExtractObject[*OAuthFlow](PasswordLabel, root, idx)
 	if vErr != nil {
 		return vErr
 	}
 	o.Password = v
 
-	v, vErr = ExtractObject[*OAuthFlow](ClientCredentialsLabel, root)
+	v, vErr = ExtractObject[*OAuthFlow](ClientCredentialsLabel, root, idx)
 	if vErr != nil {
 		return vErr
 	}
 	o.ClientCredentials = v
 
-	v, vErr = ExtractObject[*OAuthFlow](AuthorizationCodeLabel, root)
+	v, vErr = ExtractObject[*OAuthFlow](AuthorizationCodeLabel, root, idx)
 	if vErr != nil {
 		return vErr
 	}
@@ -68,12 +65,8 @@ func (o *OAuthFlow) FindScope(scope string) *low.ValueReference[string] {
 	return FindItemInMap[string](scope, o.Scopes.Value)
 }
 
-func (o *OAuthFlow) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	o.Extensions = extensionMap
+func (o *OAuthFlow) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	o.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 
 	var currSec *yaml.Node
 
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/operation.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/operation.go
index 0c58095..bc62f7e 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/operation.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/operation.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
 
@@ -29,22 +30,18 @@ type Operation struct {
 	Extensions   map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[any]
 }
 
-func (o *Operation) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	o.Extensions = extensionMap
+func (o *Operation) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	o.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 
 	// extract externalDocs
-	extDocs, dErr := ExtractObject[*ExternalDoc](ExternalDocsLabel, root)
+	extDocs, dErr := ExtractObject[*ExternalDoc](ExternalDocsLabel, root, idx)
 	if dErr != nil {
 		return dErr
 	}
 	o.ExternalDocs = extDocs
 
 	// extract parameters
-	params, ln, vn, pErr := ExtractArray[*Parameter](ParametersLabel, root)
+	params, ln, vn, pErr := ExtractArray[*Parameter](ParametersLabel, root, idx)
 	if pErr != nil {
 		return pErr
 	}
@@ -57,21 +54,21 @@ func (o *Operation) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
 	}
 
 	// extract request body
-	rBody, rErr := ExtractObject[*RequestBody](RequestBodyLabel, root)
+	rBody, rErr := ExtractObject[*RequestBody](RequestBodyLabel, root, idx)
 	if rErr != nil {
 		return rErr
 	}
 	o.RequestBody = rBody
 
 	// extract responses
-	respBody, respErr := ExtractObject[*Responses](ResponsesLabel, root)
+	respBody, respErr := ExtractObject[*Responses](ResponsesLabel, root, idx)
 	if respErr != nil {
 		return rErr
 	}
 	o.Responses = respBody
 
 	// extract callbacks
-	callbacks, cbL, cbN, cbErr := ExtractMapFlat[*Callback](CallbacksLabel, root)
+	callbacks, cbL, cbN, cbErr := ExtractMapFlat[*Callback](CallbacksLabel, root, idx)
 	if cbErr != nil {
 		return cbErr
 	}
@@ -84,14 +81,14 @@ func (o *Operation) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
 	}
 
 	// extract security
-	sec, sErr := ExtractObject[*SecurityRequirement](SecurityLabel, root)
+	sec, sErr := ExtractObject[*SecurityRequirement](SecurityLabel, root, idx)
 	if sErr != nil {
 		return sErr
 	}
 	o.Security = sec
 
 	// extract servers
-	servers, sl, sn, serErr := ExtractArray[*Server](ServersLabel, root)
+	servers, sl, sn, serErr := ExtractArray[*Server](ServersLabel, root, idx)
 	if serErr != nil {
 		return serErr
 	}
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/parameter.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/parameter.go
index 72edebe..7a30fd9 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/parameter.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/parameter.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
@@ -36,14 +37,8 @@ func (p *Parameter) FindExample(eType string) *low.ValueReference[*Example] {
 	return FindItemInMap[*Example](eType, p.Examples.Value)
 }
 
-func (p *Parameter) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-
-	// extract extensions
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	p.Extensions = extensionMap
+func (p *Parameter) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	p.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 
 	// handle example if set.
 	_, expLabel, expNode := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(ExampleLabel, root.Content)
@@ -52,14 +47,16 @@ func (p *Parameter) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
 	}
 
 	// handle schema
-	sch, sErr := ExtractSchema(root)
+	sch, sErr := ExtractSchema(root, idx)
 	if sErr != nil {
 		return sErr
 	}
-	p.Schema = *sch
+	if sch != nil {
+		p.Schema = *sch
+	}
 
 	// handle examples if set.
-	exps, expsL, expsN, eErr := ExtractMapFlat[*Example](ExamplesLabel, root)
+	exps, expsL, expsN, eErr := ExtractMapFlat[*Example](ExamplesLabel, root, idx)
 	if eErr != nil {
 		return eErr
 	}
@@ -72,7 +69,7 @@ func (p *Parameter) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
 	}
 
 	// handle content, if set.
-	con, cL, cN, cErr := ExtractMapFlat[*MediaType](ContentLabel, root)
+	con, cL, cN, cErr := ExtractMapFlat[*MediaType](ContentLabel, root, idx)
 	if cErr != nil {
 		return cErr
 	}
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/path.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/path.go
index ffb3f91..f71dee7 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/path.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/path.go
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
@@ -33,14 +35,8 @@ func (p *Paths) FindPath(path string) *low.ValueReference[*PathItem] {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (p *Paths) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-
-	// extract extensions
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	p.Extensions = extensionMap
+func (p *Paths) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	p.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 	skip := false
 	var currentNode *yaml.Node
 
@@ -60,11 +56,11 @@ func (p *Paths) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
 			continue
 		}
 		var path = PathItem{}
-		err = BuildModel(pathNode, &path)
+		err := BuildModel(pathNode, &path)
 		if err != nil {
 
 		}
-		err = path.Build(pathNode)
+		err = path.Build(pathNode, idx)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -100,12 +96,8 @@ type PathItem struct {
 	Extensions  map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[any]
 }
 
-func (p *PathItem) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	p.Extensions = extensionMap
+func (p *PathItem) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	p.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 	skip := false
 	var currentNode *yaml.Node
 
@@ -114,6 +106,15 @@ func (p *PathItem) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
 
 	var ops []low.NodeReference[*Operation]
 
+	if ok, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(root); ok {
+		r := LocateRefNode(root, idx)
+		if r != nil {
+			root = r
+		} else {
+			return nil
+		}
+	}
+
 	for i, pathNode := range root.Content {
 		if strings.HasPrefix(strings.ToLower(pathNode.Value), "x-") {
 			skip = true
@@ -161,18 +162,20 @@ func (p *PathItem) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	wg.Wait()
+	if len(ops) > 0 {
+		//wg.Wait()
+	}
 
-	// all operations have been superficially built,
-	// now we need to build out the operation, we will do this asynchronously for speed.
+	//all operations have been superficially built,
+	//now we need to build out the operation, we will do this asynchronously for speed.
 	opBuildChan := make(chan bool)
 	opErrorChan := make(chan error)
 
 	var buildOpFunc = func(op low.NodeReference[*Operation], ch chan<- bool, errCh chan<- error) {
 
-		// build out the operation.
-		er := op.Value.Build(op.ValueNode)
-		if err != nil {
+		//build out the operation.
+		er := op.Value.Build(op.ValueNode, idx)
+		if er != nil {
 			errCh <- er
 		}
 		ch <- true
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/request_body.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/request_body.go
index 2d5a131..e856909 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/request_body.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/request_body.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
 
@@ -16,18 +17,11 @@ func (rb *RequestBody) FindContent(cType string) *low.ValueReference[*MediaType]
 	return FindItemInMap[*MediaType](cType, rb.Content.Value)
 }
 
-func (rb *RequestBody) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-	// extract extensions
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	if extensionMap != nil {
-		rb.Extensions = extensionMap
-	}
+func (rb *RequestBody) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	rb.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 
 	// handle content, if set.
-	con, cL, cN, cErr := ExtractMapFlat[*MediaType](ContentLabel, root)
+	con, cL, cN, cErr := ExtractMapFlat[*MediaType](ContentLabel, root, idx)
 	if cErr != nil {
 		return cErr
 	}
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/response.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/response.go
index e5f4185..725059f 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/response.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/response.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
@@ -15,9 +16,9 @@ type Responses struct {
 	Default low.NodeReference[*Response]
 }
 
-func (r *Responses) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
+func (r *Responses) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
 	if utils.IsNodeMap(root) {
-		codes, err := ExtractMapFlatNoLookup[*Response](root)
+		codes, err := ExtractMapFlatNoLookup[*Response](root, idx)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -52,15 +53,11 @@ func (r *Response) FindLink(hType string) *low.ValueReference[*Link] {
 	return FindItemInMap[*Link](hType, r.Links.Value)
 }
 
-func (r *Response) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	r.Extensions = extensionMap
+func (r *Response) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	r.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 
 	// extract headers
-	headers, lN, kN, err := ExtractMapFlat[*Header](HeadersLabel, root)
+	headers, lN, kN, err := ExtractMapFlat[*Header](HeadersLabel, root, idx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -73,7 +70,7 @@ func (r *Response) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
 	}
 
 	// handle content, if set.
-	con, clN, cN, cErr := ExtractMapFlat[*MediaType](ContentLabel, root)
+	con, clN, cN, cErr := ExtractMapFlat[*MediaType](ContentLabel, root, idx)
 	if cErr != nil {
 		return cErr
 	}
@@ -86,7 +83,7 @@ func (r *Response) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
 	}
 
 	// handle links if set
-	links, linkLabel, linkValue, lErr := ExtractMapFlat[*Link](LinksLabel, root)
+	links, linkLabel, linkValue, lErr := ExtractMapFlat[*Link](LinksLabel, root, idx)
 	if lErr != nil {
 		return lErr
 	}
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/schema.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/schema.go
index 05b038a..2ceeed5 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/schema.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/schema.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 	"strconv"
@@ -61,20 +62,17 @@ func (s *Schema) FindProperty(name string) *low.ValueReference[*Schema] {
 	return FindItemInMap[*Schema](name, s.Properties.Value)
 }
 
-func (s *Schema) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-	return s.BuildLevel(root, 0)
+func (s *Schema) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	return s.BuildLevel(root, idx, 0)
 }
 
-func (s *Schema) BuildLevel(root *yaml.Node, level int) error {
+func (s *Schema) BuildLevel(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex, level int) error {
 	level++
-	if level > 50 {
+	if level > 10 {
 		return nil // we're done, son! too fricken deep.
 	}
 
-	err := s.extractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
+	s.extractExtensions(root)
 
 	// handle example if set.
 	_, expLabel, expNode := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(ExampleLabel, root.Content)
@@ -85,7 +83,7 @@ func (s *Schema) BuildLevel(root *yaml.Node, level int) error {
 	_, addPLabel, addPNode := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(AdditionalPropertiesLabel, root.Content)
 	if addPNode != nil {
 		if utils.IsNodeMap(addPNode) {
-			schema, serr := ExtractObjectRaw[*Schema](addPNode)
+			schema, serr := ExtractObjectRaw[*Schema](addPNode, idx)
 			if serr != nil {
 				return serr
 			}
@@ -102,7 +100,7 @@ func (s *Schema) BuildLevel(root *yaml.Node, level int) error {
 	_, discLabel, discNode := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(DiscriminatorLabel, root.Content)
 	if discNode != nil {
 		var discriminator Discriminator
-		err = BuildModel(discNode, &discriminator)
+		err := BuildModel(discNode, &discriminator)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -113,11 +111,11 @@ func (s *Schema) BuildLevel(root *yaml.Node, level int) error {
 	_, extDocLabel, extDocNode := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(ExternalDocsLabel, root.Content)
 	if extDocNode != nil {
 		var exDoc ExternalDoc
-		err = BuildModel(extDocNode, &exDoc)
+		err := BuildModel(extDocNode, &exDoc)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		err = exDoc.Build(extDocNode)
+		err = exDoc.Build(extDocNode, idx)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -128,7 +126,7 @@ func (s *Schema) BuildLevel(root *yaml.Node, level int) error {
 	_, xmlLabel, xmlNode := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(XMLLabel, root.Content)
 	if xmlNode != nil {
 		var xml XML
-		err = BuildModel(xmlNode, &xml)
+		err := BuildModel(xmlNode, &xml)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -150,12 +148,21 @@ func (s *Schema) BuildLevel(root *yaml.Node, level int) error {
 				currentProp = prop
 				continue
 			}
+
+			// check our prop isn't reference
+			if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(prop); h {
+				ref := LocateRefNode(prop, idx)
+				if ref != nil {
+					prop = ref
+				}
+			}
+
 			var property Schema
-			err = BuildModel(prop, &property)
+			err := BuildModel(prop, &property)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
-			err = property.BuildLevel(prop, level)
+			err = property.BuildLevel(prop, idx, level)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
@@ -179,11 +186,11 @@ func (s *Schema) BuildLevel(root *yaml.Node, level int) error {
 		var allOf, anyOf, oneOf, not, items []low.NodeReference[*Schema]
 
 		// make this async at some point to speed things up.
-		allOfLabel, allOfValue := buildSchema(&allOf, AllOfLabel, root, level, &errors)
-		anyOfLabel, anyOfValue := buildSchema(&anyOf, AnyOfLabel, root, level, &errors)
-		oneOfLabel, oneOfValue := buildSchema(&oneOf, OneOfLabel, root, level, &errors)
-		notLabel, notValue := buildSchema(&not, NotLabel, root, level, &errors)
-		itemsLabel, itemsValue := buildSchema(&items, ItemsLabel, root, level, &errors)
+		allOfLabel, allOfValue := buildSchema(&allOf, AllOfLabel, root, level, &errors, idx)
+		anyOfLabel, anyOfValue := buildSchema(&anyOf, AnyOfLabel, root, level, &errors, idx)
+		oneOfLabel, oneOfValue := buildSchema(&oneOf, OneOfLabel, root, level, &errors, idx)
+		notLabel, notValue := buildSchema(&not, NotLabel, root, level, &errors, idx)
+		itemsLabel, itemsValue := buildSchema(&items, ItemsLabel, root, level, &errors, idx)
 
 		if len(errors) > 0 {
 			// todo fix this
@@ -228,16 +235,13 @@ func (s *Schema) BuildLevel(root *yaml.Node, level int) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (s *Schema) extractExtensions(root *yaml.Node) error {
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	s.Extensions = extensionMap
-	return err
+func (s *Schema) extractExtensions(root *yaml.Node) {
+	s.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 }
 
-func buildSchema(schemas *[]low.NodeReference[*Schema], attribute string, rootNode *yaml.Node, level int, errors *[]error) (labelNode *yaml.Node, valueNode *yaml.Node) {
+func buildSchema(schemas *[]low.NodeReference[*Schema], attribute string, rootNode *yaml.Node, level int,
+	errors *[]error, idx *index.SpecIndex) (labelNode *yaml.Node, valueNode *yaml.Node) {
+
 	_, labelNode, valueNode = utils.FindKeyNodeFull(attribute, rootNode.Content)
 	//wg.Add(1)
 	if valueNode != nil {
@@ -248,7 +252,7 @@ func buildSchema(schemas *[]low.NodeReference[*Schema], attribute string, rootNo
 				*errors = append(*errors, err)
 				return nil
 			}
-			err = schema.BuildLevel(vn, level)
+			err = schema.BuildLevel(vn, idx, level)
 			if err != nil {
 				*errors = append(*errors, err)
 				return nil
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/schema_test.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/schema_test.go
index bf817a8..6204ff6 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/schema_test.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/schema_test.go
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ additionalProperties: true      `
 	mbErr := BuildModel(&rootNode, &sch)
 	assert.NoError(t, mbErr)
 
-	schErr := sch.Build(rootNode.Content[0])
+	schErr := sch.Build(rootNode.Content[0], nil)
 	assert.NoError(t, schErr)
 	assert.Equal(t, "something object", sch.Description.Value)
 	assert.True(t, sch.AdditionalProperties.Value.(bool))
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/security_scheme.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/security_scheme.go
index 7c5c785..3213afc 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/security_scheme.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/security_scheme.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
@@ -28,14 +29,10 @@ type SecurityRequirement struct {
 	Value []low.ValueReference[map[low.KeyReference[string]][]low.ValueReference[string]]
 }
 
-func (ss *SecurityScheme) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	ss.Extensions = extensionMap
+func (ss *SecurityScheme) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	ss.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 
-	oa, oaErr := ExtractObject[*OAuthFlows](OAuthFlowsLabel, root)
+	oa, oaErr := ExtractObject[*OAuthFlows](OAuthFlowsLabel, root, idx)
 	if oaErr != nil {
 		return oaErr
 	}
@@ -57,7 +54,7 @@ func (sr *SecurityRequirement) FindRequirement(name string) []low.ValueReference
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (sr *SecurityRequirement) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
+func (sr *SecurityRequirement) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
 	if utils.IsNodeArray(root) {
 		var requirements []low.ValueReference[map[low.KeyReference[string]][]low.ValueReference[string]]
 		for _, n := range root.Content {
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/server.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/server.go
index 9a1a7a3..b5cf096 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/server.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/server.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
@@ -17,7 +18,7 @@ type Server struct {
 	Variables   low.NodeReference[map[string]low.NodeReference[*ServerVariable]]
 }
 
-func (s *Server) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
+func (s *Server) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
 	kn, vars := utils.FindKeyNode(VariablesLabel, root.Content)
 	if vars == nil {
 		return nil
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/tag.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/tag.go
index 5e58899..d63a254 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/tag.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/tag.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package v3
 
 import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
 
@@ -17,16 +18,11 @@ type Tag struct {
 	Extensions   map[low.KeyReference[string]]low.ValueReference[any]
 }
 
-func (t *Tag) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-	// extract extensions
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	t.Extensions = extensionMap
+func (t *Tag) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	t.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 
 	// extract externalDocs
-	extDocs, dErr := ExtractObject[*ExternalDoc](ExternalDocsLabel, root)
+	extDocs, dErr := ExtractObject[*ExternalDoc](ExternalDocsLabel, root, idx)
 	if dErr != nil {
 		return dErr
 	}
diff --git a/datamodel/low/3.0/xml.go b/datamodel/low/3.0/xml.go
index dfe3512..051515e 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/3.0/xml.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/3.0/xml.go
@@ -15,10 +15,6 @@ type XML struct {
 }
 
 func (x *XML) Build(root *yaml.Node) error {
-	extensionMap, err := ExtractExtensions(root)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	x.Extensions = extensionMap
+	x.Extensions = ExtractExtensions(root)
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/datamodel/low/reference.go b/datamodel/low/reference.go
index 39e7c2f..0a53ffb 100644
--- a/datamodel/low/reference.go
+++ b/datamodel/low/reference.go
@@ -1,13 +1,16 @@
 package low
 
-import "gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
+import (
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
+	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
+)
 
 type HasNode interface {
 	GetNode() *yaml.Node
 }
 
 type Buildable[T any] interface {
-	Build(node *yaml.Node) error
+	Build(node *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error
 	*T
 }
 
diff --git a/index/spec_index.go b/index/spec_index.go
index 0eb73af..6ddfe08 100644
--- a/index/spec_index.go
+++ b/index/spec_index.go
@@ -16,9 +16,9 @@ import (
 )
 
 const (
-	localResolve int = 0
-	httpResolve  int = 1
-	fileResolve  int = 2
+	LocalResolve int = 0
+	HttpResolve  int = 1
+	FileResolve  int = 2
 )
 
 // Reference is a wrapper around *yaml.Node results to make things more manageable when performing
@@ -72,7 +72,8 @@ type SpecIndex struct {
 	responsesRefs                       map[string]*Reference                       // top level responses
 	headersRefs                         map[string]*Reference                       // top level responses
 	examplesRefs                        map[string]*Reference                       // top level examples
-	linksRefs                           map[string]map[string][]*Reference          // all links
+	callbacksRefs                       map[string]map[string][]*Reference          // all links
+	linksRefs                           map[string]map[string][]*Reference          // all  callbacks
 	operationTagsRefs                   map[string]map[string][]*Reference          // tags found in operations
 	operationDescriptionRefs            map[string]map[string]*Reference            // descriptions in operations.
 	operationSummaryRefs                map[string]map[string]*Reference            // summaries in operations
@@ -99,6 +100,7 @@ type SpecIndex struct {
 	globalHeadersCount                  int                                         // component headers
 	globalExamplesCount                 int                                         // component examples
 	globalLinksCount                    int                                         // component links
+	globalCallbacksCount                int                                         // component callbacks
 	globalCallbacks                     int                                         // component callbacks.
 	pathCount                           int                                         // number of paths
 	operationCount                      int                                         // number of operations
@@ -207,6 +209,7 @@ func NewSpecIndex(rootNode *yaml.Node) *SpecIndex {
 	index.responsesRefs = make(map[string]*Reference)
 	index.headersRefs = make(map[string]*Reference)
 	index.examplesRefs = make(map[string]*Reference)
+	index.callbacksRefs = make(map[string]map[string][]*Reference)
 	index.linksRefs = make(map[string]map[string][]*Reference)
 	index.callbackRefs = make(map[string]*Reference)
 	index.externalSpecIndex = make(map[string]*SpecIndex)
@@ -256,6 +259,7 @@ func NewSpecIndex(rootNode *yaml.Node) *SpecIndex {
 		index.GetInlineUniqueParamCount,
 		index.GetOperationTagsCount,
 		index.GetGlobalLinksCount,
+		index.GetGlobalCallbacksCount,
 	}
 
 	wg.Add(len(countFuncs))
@@ -872,13 +876,59 @@ func (index *SpecIndex) GetTotalTagsCount() int {
 	return index.totalTagsCount
 }
 
-// GetGlobalLinksCount for each response of each operation method, multiple links can be defined
+// GetGlobalCallbacksCount for each response of each operation method, multiple links can be defined
+func (index *SpecIndex) GetGlobalCallbacksCount() int {
+	if index.root == nil {
+		return -1
+	}
+
+	if index.globalCallbacksCount > 0 {
+		return index.globalCallbacksCount
+	}
+
+	index.pathRefsLock.Lock()
+	for path, p := range index.pathRefs {
+		for _, m := range p {
+
+			// look through method for callbacks
+			callbacks, _ := yamlpath.NewPath("$..callbacks")
+			res, _ := callbacks.Find(m.Node)
+
+			if len(res) > 0 {
+
+				for _, callback := range res[0].Content {
+					if utils.IsNodeMap(callback) {
+
+						ref := &Reference{
+							Definition: m.Name,
+							Name:       m.Name,
+							Node:       callback,
+						}
+
+						if index.callbacksRefs[path] == nil {
+							index.callbacksRefs[path] = make(map[string][]*Reference)
+						}
+						if len(index.callbacksRefs[path][m.Name]) > 0 {
+							index.callbacksRefs[path][m.Name] = append(index.callbacksRefs[path][m.Name], ref)
+						}
+						index.callbacksRefs[path][m.Name] = []*Reference{ref}
+						index.globalCallbacksCount++
+					}
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	index.pathRefsLock.Unlock()
+	return index.globalCallbacksCount
+}
+
+// GetGlobalLinksCount for each response of each operation method, multiple callbacks can be defined
 func (index *SpecIndex) GetGlobalLinksCount() int {
 	if index.root == nil {
 		return -1
 	}
 
-	if index.globalLinksCount > 0 {
+	if index.globalCallbacksCount > 0 {
 		return index.globalLinksCount
 	}
 
@@ -900,7 +950,6 @@ func (index *SpecIndex) GetGlobalLinksCount() int {
 							Name:       m.Name,
 							Node:       link,
 						}
-
 						if index.linksRefs[path] == nil {
 							index.linksRefs[path] = make(map[string][]*Reference)
 						}
@@ -1421,17 +1470,17 @@ func (index *SpecIndex) FindComponent(componentId string, parent *yaml.Node) *Re
 		return index.lookupFileReference(id)
 	}
 
-	switch determineReferenceResolveType(componentId) {
-	case localResolve: // ideally, every single ref in every single spec is local. however, this is not the case.
-		return index.findComponentInRoot(componentId)
+	switch DetermineReferenceResolveType(componentId) {
+	case LocalResolve: // ideally, every single ref in every single spec is local. however, this is not the case.
+		return index.FindComponentInRoot(componentId)
 
-	case httpResolve:
+	case HttpResolve:
 		uri := strings.Split(componentId, "#")
 		if len(uri) == 2 {
 			return index.performExternalLookup(uri, componentId, remoteLookup, parent)
 		}
 
-	case fileResolve:
+	case FileResolve:
 		uri := strings.Split(componentId, "#")
 		if len(uri) == 2 {
 			return index.performExternalLookup(uri, componentId, fileLookup, parent)
@@ -1450,23 +1499,23 @@ func (index *SpecIndex) GetAllSummariesCount() int {
 	return len(index.allSummaries)
 }
 
-/* private */
-
-func determineReferenceResolveType(ref string) int {
+func DetermineReferenceResolveType(ref string) int {
 	if ref != "" && ref[0] == '#' {
-		return localResolve
+		return LocalResolve
 	}
 	if ref != "" && len(ref) >= 5 && (ref[:5] == "https" || ref[:5] == "http:") {
-		return httpResolve
+		return HttpResolve
 	}
 	if strings.Contains(ref, ".json") ||
 		strings.Contains(ref, ".yaml") ||
 		strings.Contains(ref, ".yml") {
-		return fileResolve
+		return FileResolve
 	}
 	return -1
 }
 
+/* private */
+
 func (index *SpecIndex) extractDefinitionsAndSchemas(schemasNode *yaml.Node, pathPrefix string) {
 	var name string
 	for i, schema := range schemasNode.Content {
@@ -1650,7 +1699,7 @@ func (index *SpecIndex) performExternalLookup(uri []string, componentId string,
 
 	} else {
 
-		foundRef := externalSpecIndex.findComponentInRoot(uri[1])
+		foundRef := externalSpecIndex.FindComponentInRoot(uri[1])
 		if foundRef != nil {
 			foundNode = foundRef.Node
 		}
@@ -1670,7 +1719,7 @@ func (index *SpecIndex) performExternalLookup(uri []string, componentId string,
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (index *SpecIndex) findComponentInRoot(componentId string) *Reference {
+func (index *SpecIndex) FindComponentInRoot(componentId string) *Reference {
 
 	name, friendlySearch := utils.ConvertComponentIdIntoFriendlyPathSearch(componentId)
 
diff --git a/index/spec_index_test.go b/index/spec_index_test.go
index 230998e..789dc22 100644
--- a/index/spec_index_test.go
+++ b/index/spec_index_test.go
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ func TestSpecIndex_TestEmptyBrokenReferences(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, 2, index.GetGlobalTagsCount())
 	assert.Equal(t, 3, index.GetTotalTagsCount())
 	assert.Equal(t, 2, index.GetOperationTagsCount())
-	assert.Equal(t, 2, index.GetGlobalLinksCount())
+	assert.Equal(t, 4, index.GetGlobalLinksCount())
 	assert.Equal(t, 0, index.GetComponentParameterCount())
 	assert.Equal(t, 2, index.GetOperationsParameterCount())
 	assert.Equal(t, 1, index.GetInlineDuplicateParamCount())
diff --git a/openapi/create_document.go b/openapi/create_document.go
index 834bc71..9cf8ee6 100644
--- a/openapi/create_document.go
+++ b/openapi/create_document.go
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low"
 	v3 "github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/datamodel/low/3.0"
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
-	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/resolver"
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"sync"
 )
@@ -15,26 +14,27 @@ func CreateDocument(info *datamodel.SpecInfo) (*v3.Document, error) {
 	doc := v3.Document{Version: low.NodeReference[string]{Value: info.Version, ValueNode: info.RootNode}}
 
 	// build an index
-	rsolvr := resolver.NewResolver(index.NewSpecIndex(info.RootNode))
+	idx := index.NewSpecIndex(info.RootNode)
+	//rsolvr := resolver.NewResolver()
 
 	// todo handle errors
-	rsolvr.Resolve()
+	//rsolvr.Resolve()
 
 	var wg sync.WaitGroup
 	var errors []error
-	var runExtraction = func(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document,
-		runFunc func(i *datamodel.SpecInfo, d *v3.Document) error,
+	var runExtraction = func(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document, idx *index.SpecIndex,
+		runFunc func(i *datamodel.SpecInfo, d *v3.Document, idx *index.SpecIndex) error,
 		ers *[]error,
 		wg *sync.WaitGroup) {
 
-		if er := runFunc(info, doc); er != nil {
+		if er := runFunc(info, doc, idx); er != nil {
 			*ers = append(*ers, er)
 		}
 
 		wg.Done()
 	}
 
-	extractionFuncs := []func(i *datamodel.SpecInfo, d *v3.Document) error{
+	extractionFuncs := []func(i *datamodel.SpecInfo, d *v3.Document, idx *index.SpecIndex) error{
 		extractInfo,
 		extractServers,
 		extractTags,
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ func CreateDocument(info *datamodel.SpecInfo) (*v3.Document, error) {
 	}
 	wg.Add(len(extractionFuncs))
 	for _, f := range extractionFuncs {
-		go runExtraction(info, &doc, f, &errors, &wg)
+		go runExtraction(info, &doc, idx, f, &errors, &wg)
 	}
 	wg.Wait()
 
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ func CreateDocument(info *datamodel.SpecInfo) (*v3.Document, error) {
 	return &doc, nil
 }
 
-func extractInfo(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document) error {
+func extractInfo(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
 	_, ln, vn := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(v3.InfoLabel, info.RootNode.Content)
 	if vn != nil {
 		ir := v3.Info{}
@@ -71,8 +71,8 @@ func extractInfo(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func extractSecurity(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document) error {
-	sec, sErr := v3.ExtractObject[*v3.SecurityRequirement](v3.SecurityLabel, info.RootNode)
+func extractSecurity(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	sec, sErr := v3.ExtractObject[*v3.SecurityRequirement](v3.SecurityLabel, info.RootNode, idx)
 	if sErr != nil {
 		return sErr
 	}
@@ -80,8 +80,8 @@ func extractSecurity(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func extractExternalDocs(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document) error {
-	extDocs, dErr := v3.ExtractObject[*v3.ExternalDoc](v3.ExternalDocsLabel, info.RootNode)
+func extractExternalDocs(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	extDocs, dErr := v3.ExtractObject[*v3.ExternalDoc](v3.ExternalDocsLabel, info.RootNode, idx)
 	if dErr != nil {
 		return dErr
 	}
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ func extractExternalDocs(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func extractComponents(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document) error {
+func extractComponents(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
 	_, ln, vn := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(v3.ComponentsLabel, info.RootNode.Content)
 	if vn != nil {
 		ir := v3.Components{}
@@ -97,14 +97,14 @@ func extractComponents(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document) error {
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		err = ir.Build(vn)
+		err = ir.Build(vn, idx)
 		nr := low.NodeReference[*v3.Components]{Value: &ir, ValueNode: vn, KeyNode: ln}
 		doc.Components = nr
 	}
 	return nil
 }
 
-func extractServers(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document) error {
+func extractServers(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
 	_, ln, vn := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(v3.ServersLabel, info.RootNode.Content)
 	if vn != nil {
 		if utils.IsNodeArray(vn) {
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ func extractServers(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document) error {
 					if err != nil {
 						return err
 					}
-					srvr.Build(srvN)
+					srvr.Build(srvN, idx)
 					servers = append(servers, low.ValueReference[*v3.Server]{
 						Value:     &srvr,
 						ValueNode: srvN,
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ func extractServers(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func extractTags(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document) error {
+func extractTags(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
 	_, ln, vn := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(v3.TagsLabel, info.RootNode.Content)
 	if vn != nil {
 		if utils.IsNodeArray(vn) {
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ func extractTags(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document) error {
 					if err != nil {
 						return err
 					}
-					tag.Build(tagN)
+					tag.Build(tagN, idx)
 					tags = append(tags, low.ValueReference[*v3.Tag]{
 						Value:     &tag,
 						ValueNode: tagN,
@@ -162,11 +162,11 @@ func extractTags(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func extractPaths(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document) error {
+func extractPaths(info *datamodel.SpecInfo, doc *v3.Document, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
 	_, ln, vn := utils.FindKeyNodeFull(v3.PathsLabel, info.RootNode.Content)
 	if vn != nil {
 		ir := v3.Paths{}
-		err := ir.Build(vn)
+		err := ir.Build(vn, idx)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/openapi/create_document_test.go b/openapi/create_document_test.go
index aa4c671..2b9898c 100644
--- a/openapi/create_document_test.go
+++ b/openapi/create_document_test.go
@@ -24,6 +24,17 @@ func BenchmarkCreateDocument(b *testing.B) {
 	}
 }
 
+func BenchmarkCreateDocument_Stripe(b *testing.B) {
+	data, _ := ioutil.ReadFile("../test_specs/stripe.yaml")
+	info, _ := datamodel.ExtractSpecInfo(data)
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		_, err := CreateDocument(info)
+		if err != nil {
+			panic("this should not error")
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 func TestCreateDocument(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, "3.0.1", doc.Version.Value)
 	assert.Equal(t, "Burger Shop", doc.Info.Value.Title.Value)
@@ -254,8 +265,9 @@ func TestCreateDocument_Components_Schemas(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.NotNil(t, fries.Value)
 
 	assert.Len(t, fries.Value.Properties.Value, 3)
+	p := fries.Value.FindProperty("favoriteDrink")
 	assert.Equal(t, "a frosty cold beverage can be coke or sprite",
-		fries.Value.FindProperty("favoriteDrink").Value.Description.Value)
+		p.Value.Description.Value)
 
 }
 
diff --git a/utils/utils.go b/utils/utils.go
index 76e6c5a..156a6fc 100644
--- a/utils/utils.go
+++ b/utils/utils.go
@@ -372,6 +372,17 @@ func IsNodeBoolValue(node *yaml.Node) bool {
 	return node.Tag == "!!bool"
 }
 
+func IsNodeRefValue(node *yaml.Node) (bool, *yaml.Node, string) {
+	for i, r := range node.Content {
+		if i%2 == 0 {
+			if r.Value == "$ref" {
+				return true, r, node.Content[i+1].Value
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return false, nil, ""
+}
+
 // FixContext will clean up a JSONpath string to be correctly traversable.
 func FixContext(context string) string {