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Introduction to Pikku

Pikku redefines modern application development by uniting the best ideas from the Node.js ecosystem. It introduces Typed Functions—modular, type-safe functions that are easy to test, deploy, and integrate. By leveraging the TypeScript compiler, Pikku eliminates boilerplate while enforcing strict type-safety across your stack.

Most modern Node.js approaches are split between serverless and server-based models. Each offers benefits, yet they often suffer from issues like high costs, vendor lock-in, and complexity.

Common Pain Points

Many teams struggle with:

  • High Costs & Lock-In: Overpriced services and vendor dependence.
  • Underutilized Infrastructure: Wasted resources.
  • Platform Limitations: Difficulties integrating with on-premise or enterprise systems.
  • Complexity: Over-complicated client-server interactions and excessive boilerplate.
  • Deployment & Performance: Challenges with serverless WebSockets and slow function startups.

The Pikku Solution: Typed Functions

Pikku turns your application into a repository of isolated, testable functions that are:

  • 🧩 Modular: Each function is independent.
  • 💼 Portable: Run seamlessly on AWS, Cloudflare, Express, and more.
  • ☁ Serverless by Design: Enjoy serverless benefits without sacrificing performance.
  • 🧘🏽 Type-Safe: Built on TypeScript for reliability and fewer runtime errors.

Key Features

  • Protocol Agnostic: Can be extended to supper any event based system. Currently supporting HTTP, scheduled tasks, and WebSockets.
  • Built-in Services & Auth: Ready-to-use backend services.
  • Type Safety & Validation: End-to-end type checking and runtime schema validation.
  • Comprehensive Documentation: Auto-generated OpenAPI docs and typed plugins.
  • Minimal Overhead: Eliminates boilerplate via TypeScript integration.

Under the Hood

Pikku uses the TypeScript compiler to automatically generate helpers and wiring for multiple protocols.

This diagram shows how the layer in pikku are arranged.

Workflow Overview​

Pikku organizes your application into five key layers that work together to simplify development:

User Layer​

  • Middleware: Used to run custom user logic before and/or after Functions.
  • Services: Provide foundational utilities such as data access and logging.
  • Function Logic: Contains the core business logic of your application.
  • Bindings: Expose functions to various triggers like HTTP routes, scheduled tasks, and channels.

CLI Layer (Pikku CLI & Inspector)​

  • Configuration Files: Define project settings and function locations.
  • Pikku CLI & Inspector: Scans your project to generate necessary artifacts.
  • JSON Schemas & OpenAPI: Ensure type safety and generate standard API documentation.
  • Typed Fetch & NextJS Wrapper: Create type-safe client code and integrate with NextJS.

Runtime Layer​

  • Provides the libraries that handle the different transport types.
  • Ties together middleware, permissioning and data validation.
  • Maps error to their correct responses if provided.

Deployment Layer​

  • Consists of thin wrappers that allow various deployment frameworks (e.g., Express, AWS, Cloudflare) to interact seamlessly with the runtime layer.

Limitations & Caveats

  • Not a Standalone Server: Pikku is a function repository meant to integrate with your existing infrastructure.
  • Input/Output: Currently limited to JSON and primitive types.
  • Early Stage: The framework is in 0.x; features may evolve.

In Summary

Pikku = Typed Functions + Minimal Overhead

  • TypeScript-Powered: Reduces boilerplate and enhances reliability.
  • Versatile: Supports HTTP, cron jobs, and WebSockets.
  • Portable: Deploy across various environments.
  • Developer-Centric: Offers a streamlined CLI and auto-generated helpers.

Pikku unifies serverless, full-stack, and traditional architectures to empower developers in building scalable, cost-efficient applications.

Questions & Next Steps

Learn more or see Pikku in action at the Pikku website and join the conversation on GitHub. Your feedback and contributions can shape the future of this exciting project!