Introduction to DaloyJS

DaloyJS is a runtime-portable TypeScript web framework with built-in contract-first routing, validation, OpenAPI (via Hey API), typed client generation, large-scale maintainability, and core security guardrails plus first-party security middleware — backed by pnpm plus hardened install and release controls.

The name comes from the Tagalog word daloy, meaning flow, pronounced da-loy. The project also uses the Baybayin spelling ᜇᜎᜓᜌ᜔. See About the name for the short version.

Why another framework?

Each existing stack is excellent at one thing and forces trade-offs everywhere else. DaloyJS combines the best ideas without the lock-in:

• OpenAPI ergonomics on par with FastAPI — built into the core, not bolted on.
• Vercel/serverless/edge fit on par with Hono — web-standard Request → Response.
• Mature plugin/lifecycle/ops story on par with Fastify.
• TS-first DX on par with Elysia — without forcing you onto Bun.
• Hey API typed client generation as a first-class workflow.
• Supply-chain-hardened installs and publishing via pnpm plus hardened repo defaults.

The 30-second taste

import { App } from "@daloyjs/core";
import { z } from "zod";
import { serve } from "@daloyjs/core/node";

const app = new App();

app.route({
  method: "GET",
  path: "/hello/:name",
  operationId: "sayHello",
  request: { params: z.object({ name: z.string() }) },
  responses: {
    200: { description: "Greeting", body: z.object({ msg: z.string() }) },
  },
  handler: async ({ params }) => ({
    status: 200,
    body: { msg: `Hello, ${params.name}` },
  }),
});

serve(app, { port: 3000 });

That single route definition gives you:

• Strict, typed params in your handler.
• A typed return — TypeScript knows 200 → { msg: string }.
• An OpenAPI 3.1 entry under operationId: sayHello.
• A typed client method client.sayHello({ params: { name: string } }).
• An entry in app.introspect() for tooling and contract tests.

Where to next?

• Installation — get DaloyJS into your project.
• Getting started — your first server in 5 minutes.
• Tutorial: build a bookstore API.
• API reference.