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[Utility & Helpers](/categories/utility) 4. / 5. ldaidone/frankenforge ActiveProject[Utility & Helpers](/categories/utility) ldaidone/frankenforge ===================== Minimal FrankenPHP worker-mode kernel for building HTMX-first applications in raw PHP 8.3 0.1.1-beta1(3w ago)03Apache-2.0PHPPHP ^8.3 Since Apr 12Pushed 3w agoCompare [ Source](https://github.com/ldaidone/frankenforge)[ Packagist](https://packagist.org/packages/ldaidone/frankenforge)[ RSS](/packages/ldaidone-frankenforge/feed)WikiDiscussions main Synced 1w ago READMEChangelog (1)Dependencies (3)Versions (6)Used By (0) [![FrankenForge](public/assets/logo.jpg)](public/assets/logo.jpg)FrankenForge ============ [](#frankenforge) **Minimal FrankenPHP worker-mode kernel for building HTMX-first applications in raw PHP 8.3** Persistent runtime • Explicit architecture • No framework boot cycle [![PHP](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/495d65685fb02a60994142fb45d699a16a3267496cdb9e574179be587bf096e3/68747470733a2f2f696d672e736869656c64732e696f2f62616467652f5048502d382e332b2d2532333737374242343f6c6f676f3d706870)](https://php.net)[![FrankenPHP](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/857542d08fa81a76ddd1a99d7f52da65c0817697d1c98f5cecc34ee617b8d720/68747470733a2f2f696d672e736869656c64732e696f2f62616467652f4672616e6b656e5048502d776f726b65722d2532333444344434443f6c6f676f3d646174613a696d6167652f7376672b786d6c3b6261736536342c50484e325a79423462577875637a30696148523063446f764c336433647935334d793576636d63764d6a41774d43397a646d6369494864705a48526f505349784e694967614756705a326830505349784e694967646d6c6c64304a76654430694d43417749444930494449304969426d6157787350534a756232356c4969427a64484a766132553949694e6d5a6d596949484e30636d39725a53313361575230614430694d69492b5048427662486c736157356c4948427661573530637a30694d5449674d6941794d69413349444979494445334944457949444979494449674d5463674d69413349444579494449694c7a34386347397365577870626d556763473970626e527a50534979494463674d5449674d5449674d6a49674e794976506a78776232783562476c755a53427762326c7564484d39496a45794944457949444579494449794969382b5043397a646d632b)](https://frankenphp.dev)[![HTMX](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/b688b3ebfdf5ca92ee41f45dd6d464c7c6972440240d58a3806bc1b926a81d7e/68747470733a2f2f696d672e736869656c64732e696f2f62616467652f48544d582d322d253233333336364343)](https://htmx.org)[![Tailwind](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/a2d0f22e484f06d2e46567fbe865c2d8fe10c4bfa0d650d261758fc3fd5ddccf/68747470733a2f2f696d672e736869656c64732e696f2f62616467652f5461696c77696e642d342d2532333036423644343f6c6f676f3d7461696c77696e64637373)](https://tailwindcss.com)[![License](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/5cbe8e3913ece794dd5394e8c7db4c24c7d70384f2044f42d4e0f1aecec602a9/68747470733a2f2f696d672e736869656c64732e696f2f62616467652f4c6963656e73652d417061636865253230322e302d253233413331463334)](LICENSE)[![Roadmap](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/8db02136698bcbe0cd7c51dee3b99dcf298abe72e8aefe30932b5d785d53e7dc/68747470733a2f2f696d672e736869656c64732e696f2f62616467652f526f61646d61702d536565253230524f41444d41502e6d642d253233413331463334)](ROADMAP.md) --- What is FrankenForge? --------------------- [](#what-is-frankenforge) FrankenForge is a lightweight backend kernel designed around **FrankenPHP worker mode**. Instead of bootstrapping an entire framework on every request, FrankenForge keeps your application container, configuration, and services resident in memory while handling fresh requests inside a persistent worker loop. It combines: - **FrankenPHP** for persistent PHP workers - **HTMX** for server-driven interactivity - **Raw PHP templates** for rendering - **DDD-friendly structure** for maintainable applications - **Minimal abstractions** and explicit dependency wiring The goal is simple: > Give developers a fast and structured backend foundation without hiding application behavior behind deep framework layers. --- Status ------ [](#status) FrankenForge is currently in beta. The core runtime and demo application are functional and usable for experimentation, internal tools, and lightweight applications, but APIs and internal conventions may still evolve. Feedback and contributions are welcome. --- Why FrankenForge? ----------------- [](#why-frankenforge) ### Persistent Runtime [](#persistent-runtime) Traditional PHP applications restart large parts of the application lifecycle for every request. FrankenForge uses FrankenPHP worker mode: ``` Worker boots once ├── Container ├── Config ├── Database connection └── Shared services Each request: ├── Fresh Request object ├── Fresh Response object └── Route dispatch ``` This reduces: - repeated bootstrapping - runtime overhead - unnecessary allocations --- ### HTMX-first Development [](#htmx-first-development) FrankenForge is designed around server-rendered HTML and hypermedia interactions. You can build: - dashboards - admin panels - internal tools - lightweight SaaS products - JSON APIs without introducing: - SPA complexity - frontend build pipelines - Node.js runtimes --- ### Explicit Architecture [](#explicit-architecture) FrankenForge favors: - constructor injection - stateless services - immutable entities - isolated domain logic - readable request flow No magic containers. No hidden runtime behavior. --- Quick Start ----------- [](#quick-start) ### Install [](#install) ``` composer create-project ldaidone/frankenforge my-app --stability=beta ``` ### Start the application [](#start-the-application) ``` cp .env.example .env touch storage/app.db make dev make migrate_up make seed ``` Open: ``` http://localhost ``` [![FrankenForge Landing](public/assets/docs/landing.png)](public/assets/docs/landing.png) Default login: ``` admin@frankenforge.dev changeme ``` [![FrankenForge Login](public/assets/docs/login.png)](public/assets/docs/login.png) --- Included Demo Application ------------------------- [](#included-demo-application) FrankenForge ships with a complete demo/showcase application to help developers explore the architecture and runtime model quickly. ### Admin Dashboard [](#admin-dashboard) [![Dashboard Overview](public/assets/docs/overview.png)](public/assets/docs/overview.png) Included features: - Authentication - Profile management - Database browser - Migration runner - Environment editor - Log viewer - HTMX-powered dashboard widgets - Server-sent events (SSE) - Flash messages - JSON API endpoints The demo is intentionally practical and designed as: - a learning resource - a reference architecture - a real starting point for internal tools --- Architecture Overview --------------------- [](#architecture-overview) ``` graph TD Browser["🌐 Browser"] Worker["🐘 FrankenPHP Worker"] Router["🔀 Router"] Middleware["🛡️ Middleware"] Action["⚡ Action"] Infrastructure[("🗄️ Infrastructure")] Browser --> Worker Worker --> Router Action --> AppService AppService --> Domain Domain --> Infrastructure subgraph IO ["I/O & Entry"] direction LR Router --> Middleware Middleware --> Action end subgraph Core ["Core Logic"] AppService["📦 Application Service"] Domain["🧩 Domain Layer"] end style Browser fill:#ffffff,stroke:#0055ff,stroke-width:2px style Worker fill:#ffffff,stroke:#4F5B93,stroke-width:2px style Router fill:#ffffff,stroke:#d4a017,stroke-width:2px style AppService fill:#ffffff,stroke:#d4a017,stroke-width:2px style Domain fill:#ffffff,stroke:#d4a017,stroke-width:2px style Action fill:#ffffff,stroke:#d4a017,stroke-width:2px style Middleware fill:#ffffff,stroke:#d4a017,stroke-width:2px style Infrastructure fill:#ffffff,stroke:#2d572d,stroke-width:2px style Core fill:#fff,stroke:#333,stroke-dasharray:5 5 style IO fill:#fff,stroke:#333,stroke-dasharray:5 5 classDef default color:#969696,font-weight:bold ``` Loading ### Core Principles [](#core-principles) PrincipleDescriptionExplicit DIDependencies wired manually through constructorsStateless servicesShared safely across requestsImmutable entitiesDomain entities use readonly structuresIsolated domainsBusiness logic separated from infrastructureWorker-aware designRuntime optimized for persistent execution--- Project Structure ----------------- [](#project-structure) ``` src/ ├── Core/ # Reusable kernel components ├── Domains/ # Application domains └── Shared/ # Shared infrastructure ``` ### Kernel Components [](#kernel-components) ComponentPurposeContainerLightweight dependency injectionRouterFastRoute-based dispatcherRequest / ResponseHTTP abstractionViewNative PHP templatingValidatorRequest validationResponderHTML / HTMX / JSON negotiationCSRFSession-bound token protectionLoggingJSON-line loggerErrorHandlerError rendering--- Example Worker Loop ------------------- [](#example-worker-loop) ``` while (frankenphp_handle_request(function () use ($container): void { session_start(); $container ->get('router') ->dispatch(); })) { // Application boot happens once } ``` --- Included Tooling ---------------- [](#included-tooling) ### Development Commands [](#development-commands) ``` make dev make stop make shell make test make migrate_up make migrate_down make migrate_status make seed make clean ``` ### Manual CLI [](#manual-cli) ``` php bin/migrate.php up php bin/migrate.php down php bin/migrate.php status php bin/seed.php all -f ``` --- Technology Stack ---------------- [](#technology-stack) ComponentChoiceWhyRuntime**FrankenPHP** (worker mode)Persistent in-memory state, no per-request bootstrappingLanguage**PHP 8.3+**Typed properties, readonly classes, enums, named argumentsRouting**nikic/fast-route**Fast, simple, no magic — just route matchingTemplating**Native PHP** (output buffering)No learning curve, no compilation step, maximum performanceFrontend**HTMX 2**Server-rendered HTML, hypermedia-driven interactivityStyling**Tailwind CSS 4** (CDN)Utility-first, no build step, no Node.jsDatabasePDO-compatible (SQLite included by default)Zero-config, WAL mode for concurrency, file-basedAuth**Session-based** + Argon2idSimple, secure, no external dependenciesTesting**PHPUnit 13**Standard PHP testing framework--- Good Fit For ------------ [](#good-fit-for) Use FrankenForge if...Probably not if...You like explicit backend architectureYou want large plugin ecosystemsYou enjoy server-rendered appsYou prefer SPA-first workflowsYou want low runtime overheadYou prefer heavy convention systemsYou like HTMX and hypermediaYou want full-stack frontend toolingYou want control over application structureYou want batteries-included frameworks--- Philosophy ---------- [](#philosophy) FrankenForge is not trying to replace every PHP framework. It is optimized for developers who want: - explicit control - persistent runtimes - low abstraction overhead - server-driven applications - understandable request flow The project intentionally stays small, readable, and close to raw PHP. --- Contributing ------------ [](#contributing) Issues, discussions, and pull requests are welcome. The project is still evolving and feedback is valuable — especially around: - worker lifecycle patterns - HTMX workflows - performance - developer experience - architectural decisions --- Support ------- [](#support) If you find FrankenForge useful, consider supporting the project: [!["Buy Me A Coffee"](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/9f44ce2dc3b3eecdd02598900866ffc518801df1932849703dae1e5ce5031070/68747470733a2f2f7777772e6275796d6561636f666665652e636f6d2f6173736574732f696d672f637573746f6d5f696d616765732f6f72616e67655f696d672e706e67)](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/leodaido) --- Built for developers who enjoy understanding their runtime. ### Health Score 37 — LowBetter than 81% of packages Maintenance94 Actively maintained with recent releases Popularity4 Limited adoption so far Community6 Small or concentrated contributor base Maturity38 Early-stage or recently created project Bus Factor1 Top contributor holds 100% of commits — single point of failure How is this calculated?**Maintenance (25%)** — Last commit recency, latest release date, and issue-to-star ratio. Uses a 2-year decay window. **Popularity (30%)** — Total and monthly downloads, GitHub stars, and forks. Logarithmic scaling prevents top-heavy scores. **Community (15%)** — Contributors, dependents, forks, watchers, and maintainers. Measures real ecosystem engagement. **Maturity (30%)** — Project age, version count, PHP version support, and release stability. ### Release Activity Cadence Every ~0 days Total 2 Last Release 27d ago ### Community Maintainers ![](https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/9bd0f2bae2cfbb34ebb1e5baeb9003c5469b6e67c824e8dcd5d68ca38d904118?d=identicon)[ldaidone](/maintainers/ldaidone) --- Top Contributors [![ldaidone](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/1054693?v=4)](https://github.com/ldaidone "ldaidone (37 commits)") --- Tags phpfrankenphpkernelhtmxworker-mode ### Code Quality TestsPHPUnit ### Embed Badge ![Health badge](/badges/ldaidone-frankenforge/health.svg) ``` [![Health](https://phpackages.com/badges/ldaidone-frankenforge/health.svg)](https://phpackages.com/packages/ldaidone-frankenforge) ``` PHPackages © 2026 [Directory](/)[Categories](/categories)[Trending](/trending)[Changelog](/changelog)[Analyze](/analyze)