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Joel Milligan for NanoAPI

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NanoAPI v1.0.9: Migration to Deno & Performance Boost 🚀

#opensource #deno #javascript #release

We're excited to announce the newest release of NanoAPI v1.0.9! This release represents a massive architectural overhaul with our migration from Node.js to Deno, which delivers substantial performance improvements and a streamlined development experience.

🎯 What's New in v1.0.9

Deno Migration & Performance Revolution

We've rebuilt NanoAPI to leverage Deno's modern capabilities:

  • Native Deno modules to replace all Node.js dependencies, dramatically reducing bundle size
  • Migrated from Express to Oak framework (JSR:@oak/oak) for seamless Deno compatibility
  • Eliminated some external dependencies (uuid, express, http-proxy-middleware, octokit) in favor of Deno's built-in modules
  • Adopted JSR registry for standard libraries (@std/path@^1.0.9) to leverage Deno's ecosystem

The improved performance is noticeable immediately, due to faster startup times and a reduction in the overall memory footprint.

Why We Opted for Deno

  • Deno takes a more modern approach than Node.js, because it enables direct URL imports, which eliminates the need for a package manager
  • Deno has a commitment to web platform compatibility, and allows browser APIs like Fetch and Web Workers to work natively on the server, creating a unified development experience.
  • Security is key for Deno - it has a permission-based security model which restricts system access by default, allowing for a more granular control over what applications can do.
  • Furthermore, it offers built-in testing, formatting, linting, and bundling tools to mean fewer dependencies and a more cohesive development workflow.

A More Streamlined Build & Deployment

We've revamped how NanoAPI is distributed:

  • The release is now shiiped as Deno executables published on GitHub, instead of the npm registry
  • A more convenient installation script
  • Optimized GitHub Actions with faster build times and reduced complexity
  • Improved our installation documentation to guide you through the upgrade

Enhanced API & Developer Experience

Every aspect of the developer experience has been refined:

  • Smart version checking with native fetch API and 5-second timeout protection
  • GitHub-first version verification (goodbye npm registry dependencies)
  • Cross-platform browser launching using Deno.Command for consistent behavior
  • Native port detection leveraging Deno's networking APIs

Frontend Modernization

The user interface has received a complete refresh:

Improved Integration:

  • Seamless API communication between frontend and backend
  • Optimized routing that works perfectly with Oak middleware
  • Enhanced file explorer with improved dependency graph connectivity

Modern Components:

  • Upgraded from bare Radix UI to the comprehensive Shadcn/UI component library
  • Streamlined UX flows for intuitive user interactions
  • Better visual feedback and responsive design patterns

🚀 Getting Started with v1.0.9

Ready to experience the new NanoAPI? Here's everything you need to know:

Installation 

# Quick install via our convenience script
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/your-repo/nanoapi/main/install.sh | sh

# Or download directly from GitHub releases
# Visit: https://github.com/your-repo/nanoapi/releases/latest
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Migration from Previous Versions

If you're upgrading from an earlier version:

  1. Backup your current configuration - While v1.0.9 maintains API compatibility, it's always good practice
  2. Update your scripts - Replace any Node.js-specific calls with Deno equivalents
  3. Review permissions - Deno's security model may require explicit permission flags

What's Next?

This release sets the foundation for exciting features coming in future versions. We're already working on enhanced TypeScript support, additional built-in utilities, and expanded deployment options.

Do You Have Any Questions or Feedback?

Join our community discussions on GitHub or reach out on our Discord server. We'd love to hear about your experience with the new Deno-powered NanoAPI!

We’d love your feedback, ideas, and contributions!

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