simcript/pano-framework

A lightweight PHP Nano Framework - Minimal execution foundation with full developer control

v1.6.0 2026-08-09 20:59 UTC

Requires

• php: >=8.2

MIT

• simcript

• framework
• php
• lightweight
• minimal
• nano-framework
• pano-framework

Published on Packagist.org on 2026-08-09 21:02 UTC

README

Pano is a lightweight PHP nano-framework designed as a minimal execution foundation.

It provides a small, explicit runtime that allows developers to build any architecture on top of it.

What Pano Is

• a minimal execution foundation
• a low-level runtime structure
• a base for building custom frameworks
• a modular PHP system
• a pure library (no application scaffolding included)

What Pano Is NOT

• a full-stack framework
• an opinionated application framework
• a batteries-included ecosystem
• a replacement for Laravel or similar frameworks
• a ready-to-run application skeleton

When to Use Pano

Use Pano when you need:

• full control over application architecture
• a custom framework design
• a minimal runtime without imposed structure
• a base layer for system-level design

When NOT to Use Pano

Avoid Pano if you need:

• rapid application scaffolding
• prebuilt authentication systems
• ORM-driven development
• convention-based frameworks
• beginner-friendly structure

For a ready-to-run application skeleton, use simcript/pano instead.

Key Concepts

Pano introduces a minimal set of runtime concepts:

• Kernel – abstract contracts only (Pano\Kernel\*)
• Foundation – default concrete implementations (Pano\Foundation\*) – replaceable
• Modules – isolated application domains
• Handlers – executable processing units
• Interceptors – request/response pipeline

These concepts are intentionally low-level and composable.

Requirements

• PHP >= 8.2
• Composer

Installation

composer require simcript/pano-framework

Quick Start (Library Usage)

Since Pano is now a pure library, you must bootstrap it yourself (or use the official skeleton).

Minimal bootstrap example:

<?php
// public/index.php (or your entry point)

define('PANO_STARTED', microtime(true));
define('BASE_PATH', rtrim(__DIR__ . '/../', DIRECTORY_SEPARATOR) . DIRECTORY_SEPARATOR);

require BASE_PATH . 'vendor/autoload.php';

(new \Pano\Foundation\Boot())->run($_SERVER);          // Web
// (new \Pano\Foundation\Boot())->run($argv, true);    // CLI

Project Structure (Recommended via Skeleton)

Use the official skeleton for a complete working layout:

composer create-project simcript/pano my-app

my-app/
├── pano                      # CLI entry point
├── public/
│   └── index.php             # Web front controller
├── config/
│   ├── app.php
│   └── modules.php
├── modules/                  # Your application modules
│   └── Default/
│       ├── DefaultModule.php
│       ├── Handlers/
│       ├── Interceptors/
│       ├── Commands/
│       └── Views/
├── .env
└── composer.json

Minimum Required Configuration

config/app.php

This file is required. The framework reads it through the config() helper. At minimum it must contain the following keys:

<?php

return [
    'name'     => env('APP_NAME', 'Pano'),          // Application name
    'env'      => env('APP_ENV', 'local'),          // Environment: local | production | ...
    'key'      => env('APP_KEY', null),             // Application key (used for encryption/signing if needed)
    'debug'    => env('APP_DEBUG', false),          // Show detailed errors (true in development)
    'url'      => env('APP_URL', null),             // Base URL of the application (used by url() helper and subdomain resolver)
    'resolver' => env('MODULE_RESOLVER', 'path'),   // Module resolver: "path" or "subdomain"
    'timezone' => env('APP_TIMEZONE', 'UTC'),       // Default timezone (optional but recommended)
];

Key	Type	Default	Description
name	string	Pano	Application display name
env	string	local	Current environment
key	string|null	null	Application secret key
debug	bool	false	Enable/disable detailed error display
url	string|null	null	Base application URL
resolver	string	path	How modules are resolved (path or subdomain)
timezone	string	UTC	Default timezone for the application

Corresponding .env example

APP_NAME=Pano
APP_ENV=local
APP_KEY=base64:your-generated-key-here
APP_DEBUG=true
APP_URL=https://example.com
MODULE_RESOLVER=path
APP_TIMEZONE=UTC

Documentation

• MANIFESTO.md → philosophy and principles
• ARCHITECTURE.md → system design and runtime model
• DOCUMENTATION.md → complete developer guide and API reference

Version Compatibility

• PHP 8.2+ is the baseline runtime
• Pano evolves conservatively to maintain stability

Contribution

Before contributing:

• read MANIFESTO.md and ARCHITECTURE.md then DOCUMENTATION.md
• respect Kernel boundaries
• avoid introducing hidden behavior
• keep runtime explicit and predictable

Status

Pano is a low-level framework foundation intended for advanced use cases.

You are free. Pano should never think or make decisions on behalf of developers.

License

MIT