Guide · Open source
How to use micro: a minimal async HTTP service in Node.js
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
Micro is a small Node.js library from Vercel for writing HTTP microservices with async and await. This guide explains what it is, what you need before you start, how to get the source, and whether it suits your project. The README available for this listing is truncated, so usage details beyond the core purpose are not covered here.
microvercel/micro · ★ 10.6k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Check Node.js. Confirm Node.js is installed on your machine, since it is the listed prerequisite.
- 2Clone the repository. Run git clone https://github.com/vercel/micro to get the source code.
- 3Open the micro package. Go to packages/micro in the cloned repository.
- 4Read the README. Open packages/micro/README.md for the full usage documentation, since the excerpt on this page is truncated.
- 5Decide if it fits. Compare micro with your needs for routing, plugins and features before building on it.
What is micro and what is it for?
Micro is an open-source library, licensed under MIT and written in TypeScript, for building HTTP microservices in Node.js. It focuses on handling incoming requests and returning responses with very little setup, using async and await.
It is aimed at small, single-purpose endpoints rather than full applications.
- Language: TypeScript
- Licence: MIT
- Runtime: Node.js
- Focus: handling requests and returning responses with minimal setup
What do you need before you start?
The only prerequisite listed for this project is Node.js. You will also need git if you want to clone the repository, as shown in the install step below.
Because you write services with async and await, you should be comfortable with those JavaScript or TypeScript patterns before you begin.
- Node.js installed on your machine
- git, to clone the repository
- Basic familiarity with async/await in JavaScript or TypeScript
How do you get the micro source code?
The install instructions in the source README show cloning the repository from GitHub. Run the command below in the directory where you want the project to live.
The micro package itself lives under packages/micro, according to the README path referenced in this listing.
git clone https://github.com/vercel/microWhere should you look for usage details?
The README excerpt used for this page is cut off, so it does not show example handler code, configuration options or a full API reference. Those details are not confirmed here.
Open packages/micro/README.md in the cloned repository for the full documentation. Check it against the code in the repository before relying on any usage pattern.
- Open packages/micro/README.md in the cloned repository
- Confirm the usage pattern in the current README before building on it
Is micro the right choice for your project?
Micro suits developers who want a minimal HTTP service in Node.js, teams building small endpoints, and people already comfortable with async/await.
It is a weaker fit if you need a full web framework with routing, templates and many built-in features, or a long-running, feature-rich server with a large plugin ecosystem. The source excerpt does not show either of those.
- Good fit: minimal HTTP services, small single-purpose endpoints, async/await-first code
- Weaker fit: full frameworks with routing, templates and plugins
What people use it for
- A small HTTP endpoint that receives a request and returns a response
- A single-purpose microservice inside a larger system
- A minimal Node.js service written with async and await
Frequently asked questions
How do I install micro?
The install step in the source README shows cloning the repository with git clone https://github.com/vercel/micro. The README excerpt does not show a package-manager install command, so check the full README in packages/micro before you go further.
What do I need to run micro?
The listed prerequisite is Node.js. You will also need git if you clone the repository, and some familiarity with async/await in JavaScript or TypeScript.
Is micro free to use?
Yes, micro is licensed under MIT, which is a permissive open-source licence. Review the licence file in the repository for the full terms.
What are alternatives to micro?
Projects compared with micro in this listing include Express, Fastify, Koa and Hono. Choose based on how much built-in functionality, routing and plugin support you need.
Why does my micro setup not work?
The source excerpt is truncated, so it does not include a troubleshooting section. Start by confirming Node.js is installed, then compare your code with the examples in packages/micro/README.md.
How does micro compare with Express or Fastify?
Micro is positioned as a small library for minimal HTTP services with async/await. Express, Fastify, Koa and Hono are listed as comparable projects, but this source does not include a feature or performance comparison.
New agent skills, repos and AI tools — every week
The best new skills and open-source projects, the fastest-growing repos, and one free prompt. Five minutes to read. Unsubscribe anytime.
Our verdict
Micro is a reasonable choice if you want a small, MIT-licensed Node.js library for single-purpose HTTP services written with async and await. If you need routing, templates, many built-in features or a large plugin ecosystem, pick a fuller framework such as Express, Fastify, Koa or Hono instead.
Install options & downloads