Nordcraft is a web development engine designed to streamline the creation of high-performance web applications with built-in server-side rendering (SSR), component-based architecture, and version control. Originally used internally by the Nordcraft team, it is now being open-sourced to enable developers and teams to self-host and extend its capabilities. The engine is composed of modular packages — core, runtime, ssr, std-lib, and search — each serving a distinct role in the application lifecycle. This project is currently in active development as part of Nordcraft’s transition to full open-source status, with a primary focus on migrating server-side rendering logic into the public repository. It targets developers and engineering teams seeking a modern, modular alternative to traditional web frameworks that prioritize performance, composability, and developer workflow integration.
What You Get
- Core package - Central shared logic used across all Nordcraft packages, providing foundational utilities and type definitions for consistent behavior between runtime, SSR, and editor components.
- SSR package - Server-side rendering logic that enables fast initial page loads and improved SEO by rendering components on the server before sending HTML to the client.
- Runtime package - Frontend hydration and update logic that enables dynamic component updates and state management in the browser after SSR.
- Std-lib package - Built-in formulas and actions used by both the runtime and SSR systems, powering data transformations and workflows within the Nordcraft editor.
- Search package - Issue tracking and project traversal logic that powers the issue panel in the Nordcraft editor, running in a web worker for performance.
Common Use Cases
- Building SSR-powered SaaS dashboards - Developers creating data-intensive web applications that require fast initial load times and real-time updates, leveraging Nordcraft’s SSR and runtime packages to deliver seamless user experiences.
- Creating component-based content platforms - Teams building editable web interfaces where users can modify layouts or data flows using visual formulas, powered by the std-lib and runtime modules.
- Slow initial page loads due to client-side hydration - Nordcraft’s SSR package renders full HTML on the server, reducing perceived latency and improving SEO without sacrificing interactivity.
- Dev teams migrating from monolithic frameworks to modular web engines - Organizations seeking to decouple rendering, state management, and data logic into independently versioned packages that can be tested, updated, and extended without full-stack redeployments.
Under The Hood
Nordcraft is a TypeScript-based framework designed for building flexible, extensible web UI components with a strong emphasis on runtime customization and API integration. It provides a modular architecture that supports component composition, schema-driven validation, and seamless embedding in web environments.
Architecture
Nordcraft adopts a multi-layered, component-centric architecture that promotes modularity and runtime extensibility. The system is structured into distinct packages, each encapsulating specific functionality such as core logic, runtime behavior, and editor tools.
- Modular design with clear separation of concerns across packages
- Middleware and API abstraction patterns support flexible request handling
- Custom component registration and styling abstraction enable seamless web integration
Tech Stack
Built entirely in TypeScript, Nordcraft leverages modern JavaScript features and a curated set of tools to support its runtime and development workflows.
- TypeScript as the primary language with Hono as the core web framework for routing and HTTP handling
- Zod and fast-deep-equal for schema validation and object comparison
- Bun as the runtime and build environment, complemented by esbuild for bundling and Docker for containerization
- Comprehensive test suite using Bun’s native testing capabilities and monorepo structure
Code Quality
The codebase reflects a well-organized approach to testing and error handling, with consistent style and naming practices across modules.
- Extensive test coverage ensures reliability and maintainability of core features
- Standardized error handling through try/catch patterns with some duplication in logic
- Consistent code style and naming conventions support readability and collaboration
- Moderate technical debt present in duplicated error handling and limited documentation
What Makes It Unique
Nordcraft distinguishes itself through its innovative approach to component composition, API unification, and runtime extensibility within a TypeScript ecosystem.
- Schema-driven component and formula system enables type-safe, flexible UI composition
- Unified API layer bridges legacy and modern endpoints to support system migration
- Custom element integration with runtime styling abstraction for easy web embedding
- Strong reliance on Zod and TypeScript types ensures robust data handling and developer confidence