AppShell — the micro-frontend foundation.

Runtime orchestration for micro-frontend applications.
AppShell orchestrates applications built from independently built, separately deployed UI building blocks. This page doesn't sell; it shows you one of the technologies we build with. The strongest proof: this website runs on AppShell itself.
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What is AppShell?

AppShell is the runtime orchestration for micro-frontend applications — an app made of independently built, separately deployed UI building blocks (touchpoints) that are loaded at runtime by remote URL as ES modules. AppShell consists of three packages: @qs/app-shell is the framework-agnostic core (built with Lit), @qs/app-shell-react provides the React binding, and @qs/micro-frontend defines the touchpoint API a building block uses to plug into the shell.

Characteristics

  • Framework-agnostic

    The core builds on HTML custom elements (Lit), independent of any framework; **@qs/app-shell-react** adds a native React binding.

  • Lazy loading

    Touchpoints are loaded on demand at runtime — with clean handling of race conditions, so parallel loads don't get in each other's way.

  • MessageBus

    A MessageBus couples the building blocks through capability-based communication in a decoupled way — instead of direct, fixed dependencies.

  • Automatic memory management

    AppShell cleans up unloaded touchpoints itself and thereby prevents memory leaks.

  • Runtime validation

    The shell validates the loaded building blocks at runtime before they are wired in.

What it gives you

  • Grow modularly

    Large applications grow in independent building blocks rather than as one monolith — each touchpoint is built and deployed on its own.

  • Multiple teams, independent

    Different teams develop and deploy their touchpoints independently, without blocking one another.

  • Technology-agnostic

    Because the building blocks interoperate through a standardised API, the shell is not tied to a single frontend framework.

Proven, not claimed

The strongest proof: this website runs on AppShell itself. We use @qs/app-shell and @qs/app-shell-react in production — we use our own tools.

    Sounds like the right foundation for your application?

    Let's talk about how AppShell serves your project — open-ended, we look together at what your case really needs.

    Discuss your use case
    Jan

    Prefer a conversation?

    Jan — Give us a call, send an email, or tell us what it is about — whatever suits you best.

    jan@quatico.com