What is Zuno?

🦜 What is Zuno?

Zuno is a modern, high-performance web framework for C++ developers who want the power of low-level control with the elegance of a modular, expressive API. Inspired by the simplicity of frameworks like Express.js, Zuno brings that developer-friendly experience to the C++ ecosystem—without compromising on speed, security, or scalability.

---

🚀 Why Zuno?

Zuno was born from a simple idea: C++ deserves a web framework that feels modern, intuitive, and fun to use. While existing solutions often feel clunky or overly complex, Zuno is designed to be:

• Modular – Compose your application with lightweight, reusable components.
• Secure – Built-in TLS support and middleware for CORS, rate limiting, and more.
• Performant – Powered by Asio standalone, Zuno delivers blazing-fast networking with minimal overhead.
• Developer-friendly – Clean syntax, clear documentation, and a focus on DX (Developer Experience).

---

🧩 Core Concepts

Zuno is built around a few key ideas:

1. Minimal by Default, Powerful by Design

You can start with a simple “Hello World” server in just a few lines of code. But as your app grows, Zuno scales with you—offering advanced features like TLS, middleware chaining, and modular routing.

main.cpp

#include <zuno/zuno.hpp>

int main() {
zuno::App app;

app.get("/", [](auto& req, auto& res) {
  res.send("Hello, Zuno!");
});

app.listen(3000);
}

2. Middleware-Driven Architecture

Zuno uses a middleware pipeline to handle requests. This makes it easy to plug in features like compression, logging, or authentication—without cluttering your core logic.

main.cpp

app.use(cors());
app.use(rateLimit());

app.get("/hello", [](auto& req, auto& res) {
res.send("Hello, world!");
});

3. Built for Modern C++

Zuno embraces modern C++ standards (C++20 and above), using smart pointers, lambdas, and RAII to ensure safety and clarity.

---

🛠️ Use Cases

Zuno is ideal for:

• Building REST APIs with C++ backends
• Creating secure microservices with TLS
• Prototyping high-performance web apps
• Learning modern C++ through real-world projects

---

🌐 How Zuno Compares

Feature	Zuno	Crow	Pistache
TLS Support	✅ Built-in	⚠️ External setup	⚠️ External setup
Middleware System	✅ Modular	⚠️ Limited	⚠️ Limited
Express-style API	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No
Docs & DX Focus	✅ High	⚠️ Sparse	⚠️ Sparse

Zuno isn’t trying to replace existing C++ frameworks—it’s reimagining what they could be.

---

💡 The Vision

Zuno is more than just a framework—it’s a movement toward making C++ web development accessible, elegant, and exciting. Whether you’re a systems programmer exploring web APIs or a backend engineer seeking performance without pain, Zuno is here to empower your creativity.

---

📚 Next Steps

Ready to dive in? Head over to Getting Started to set up your first Zuno project in minutes.

---

Made with ❤️ and a parrot mascot.