apcore — AI-Perceivable Core¶

A schema-enforced module framework where every interface is inherently perceivable by AI.

A schema-driven module development framework that makes every interface naturally perceivable and understandable by AI.

apcore is a protocol specification. Language implementations are maintained in separate repositories — see Implementations.

Table of Contents¶

What is apcore?
Why AI-Perceivable?
Core Principles
Architecture Overview
Quick Start
Module Development
Class-based Modules
@module Decorator
module() Function Call
External Binding (Zero Code Modification)
Schema System
Three-Layer Metadata Design
Module Annotations
LLM Extension Fields
Context Object
ACL Access Control
Middleware
Configuration
Observability
Error Handling
Cross-Language Support
Relationship with Other Tools
Implementations
Ecosystem
Documentation Index
Contributing
License

What is apcore?¶

apcore is a universal module development framework that makes every module naturally perceivable and understandable by AI through enforced Schema definitions.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                apcore — AI-Perceivable Core                 │
│                                                             │
│  Universal framework + Enforced AI-Perceivable support     │
│  - Directory as ID (zero-config module discovery)          │
│  - Schema-driven (input/output mandatory)                  │
│  - ACL / Observability / Middleware                        │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                            ↓ Modules callable by
      ┌──────────┬──────────┬──────────┬──────────┐
      │          │          │          │          │
  Legacy Code  AI/LLM    HTTP API    CLI Tool   MCP Server
   (import)  (understands) (REST)    (terminal)  (Claude)

Not just an AI framework, but a universal framework that is naturally AI-Perceivable.

Core Problem¶

Traditional module development faces a fundamental contradiction:

Traditional modules: Code can call, but AI cannot understand
AI-Perceivable modules: Code can call, AI can also perceive and understand

AI has become an important caller in software systems, but most modules lack AI-understandable metadata. apcore fundamentally solves this by enforcing input_schema / output_schema / description.

One-Sentence Summary¶

apcore solves how to build modules (development framework), not how to call tools (communication protocol). Once modules are built, they can be called by code / AI / HTTP / CLI / MCP or any other means.

Why AI-Perceivable?¶

Real-World Scenarios¶

Scenario	Without apcore	With apcore
LLM calling your business functions	Manually write tool descriptions, map parameters	Schema auto-provided, LLM understands directly
New team members onboarding	Read source code, guess parameters	Clear from Schema + annotations
Cross-team module reuse	Outdated docs, unclear interfaces	Schema is doc, enforced validation
Security audit	Manually trace call relationships	ACL + call chain auto-tracked
Expose as MCP Server	Rewrite interface definitions	Adapter reads Schema directly

Design Decision¶

Reality: AI has become a key caller in software systems
Decision: Enforce input_schema / output_schema / description
Result: Modules understandable by both humans and AI, no extra cost

Core Principles¶

Principle	Description
Schema-Driven	All modules enforce `input_schema` / `output_schema` / `description`
Directory as ID	Directory path auto-maps to module ID, zero config
AI-Perceivable	Schema enables AI/LLM perception and understanding—a design requirement, not optional
Universal Framework	Modules callable by code/AI/HTTP/CLI or any other means
Progressive Integration	Existing code gains AI-Perceivable capability via decorators, function calls, or YAML binding
Cross-Language Spec	Language-agnostic protocol specification, any language can implement conformant SDK

Differences from Traditional Frameworks¶

	Traditional Frameworks	apcore
Schema	Optional	Enforced
AI-Perceivable	Not guaranteed	Guaranteed
Module Discovery	Manual registration	Auto-discovery from directory
Input Validation	Implement yourself	Framework automatic
Behavior Annotations	None	`readonly` / `destructive` / `requires_approval` etc.
Call Tracing	Implement yourself	`trace_id` auto-propagated

Architecture Overview¶

apcore's architecture consists of two orthogonal dimensions: Framework Technical Architecture (vertical) and Business Layering Recommendations (horizontal).

Framework Technical Architecture (Vertical)¶

The technical layers of the framework itself, defining the complete flow from module registration to execution:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│      Application Layer                          │
│   HTTP API / CLI / MCP Server / Custom Interface│
└─────────────────────┬───────────────────────────┘
                      ↓ calls
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│      Execution Layer                            │
│  ACL check → Input validation → Middleware chain│
│  → Execute → Output validation                  │
└──────────┬──────────────────────────────────────┘
           ↓ lookup module
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│      Registry Layer                             │
│  Scan & discover → ID mapping → Interface       │
│  validation → Module storage                    │
└──────────┬──────────────────────────────────────┘
           ↓ read
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│      Module Layer                               │
│  User-written business modules (conforming to   │
│  Module interface specification)                │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Business Layering Recommendations (Horizontal)¶

Under the extensions/ directory, modules should be organized by responsibility (enforced by ACL):

extensions/
├── api/                    # API Layer: Handle external requests
│   └── ACL: Can only call orchestrator.*
│
├── orchestrator/           # Orchestration Layer: Compose business flows
│   └── ACL: Can only call executor.* and common.*
│
├── executor/               # Execution Layer: Concrete business operations
│   └── ACL: Can call common.*, can connect to external systems
│
└── common/                 # Common Layer: Shared utilities and helpers
    └── ACL: Read-only operations, called by all layers

Key Points: - Framework technical architecture (Application → Execution → Registry → Module) is apcore's implementation mechanism - Business layering (api → orchestrator → executor → common) is a best practice recommendation, enforced through ACL configuration - The two are orthogonal: any business layer module (api/orchestrator/executor/common) goes through the same framework layer processing

Execution Flow¶

A module call goes through the following steps:

executor.call("executor.email.send_email", inputs, context)
   │
   ├─ 1. Context processing: Create/update call context (trace_id, caller_id, call_chain)
   ├─ 2. Lookup module: Find target module from Registry
   ├─ 3. ACL check: Verify caller has permission to call target module
   ├─ 4. Input validation: Validate input parameters against input_schema
   ├─ 5. Middleware before: Execute middleware before() hooks in sequence
   ├─ 6. Module execution: Call module.execute(inputs, context)
   ├─ 7. Output validation: Validate output result against output_schema
   ├─ 8. Middleware after: Execute middleware after() hooks in reverse order
   │
   └─ Return result

Directory as ID¶

Module IDs are automatically generated from relative paths under the module root directory (default root is extensions/, multiple roots can be configured):

File path:                                   Canonical ID:
extensions/api/handler/user.py           →  api.handler.user
extensions/executor/email/send_email.py  →  executor.email.send_email
extensions/common/util/validator.py      →  common.util.validator

Rules:
1. Remove module root prefix (default `extensions/`)
2. Remove file extension
3. Replace `/` with `.`
4. Must match: ^[a-z][a-z0-9_]*(\.[a-z][a-z0-9_]*)*$
5. Maximum length: 128 characters

**Multiple Roots and Namespaces**

- If multiple module root directories are configured, each root directory automatically uses the directory name as a **namespace**, ensuring Module ID uniqueness within the same Registry.
- For example: `extensions_roots: ["./extensions", "./plugins"]` → `extensions.executor.email.send_email`, `plugins.my_tool`.
- Automatic namespacing can be overridden with explicit configuration (e.g., `{root: "./extensions", namespace: "core"}` → `core.executor.email.send_email`).
- Single root mode has no namespace by default (backward compatible); in multi-root mode, at most one root can set `namespace: ""` to omit the prefix.

**Cross-Project Conflicts**

- Same IDs from different projects **will not conflict**, unless they are merged into the same Registry / call domain (e.g., unified gateway or shared executor).

Quick Start¶

Detailed documentation: Registry API | Executor API | Context Object

pip install apcore

from apcore import Module, Registry, Executor, Context
from pydantic import BaseModel, Field

# 1. Define module (Schema-driven)
class GreetInput(BaseModel):
    name: str = Field(..., description="User name")

class GreetOutput(BaseModel):
    message: str

class GreetModule(Module):
    """Generate greeting message"""
    input_schema = GreetInput
    output_schema = GreetOutput

    def execute(self, inputs: dict, context: Context) -> dict:
        return {"message": f"Hello, {inputs['name']}!"}

# 2. Register & call
registry = Registry()
registry.register("executor.greet", GreetModule())

executor = Executor(registry=registry)
result = executor.call("executor.greet", {"name": "World"})
print(result)  # {"message": "Hello, World!"}

Project Directory Structure¶

my-project/
├── apcore.yaml               # Framework configuration
├── extensions/               # Module directory (directory path = module ID)
│   ├── api/                  # API layer
│   ├── orchestrator/         # Orchestration layer
│   └── executor/             # Execution layer
├── schemas/                  # Schema definitions (YAML, shared across languages)
└── acl/                      # Permission configuration

Module Development¶

Detailed definitions: Module Interface | Creating Modules Guide

apcore provides four ways to define modules, suitable for different scenarios:

1. Class-based Modules¶

The most complete approach, supporting all features:

# extensions/executor/email/send_email.py
# Module ID auto-generated: executor.email.send_email

from apcore import Module, ModuleAnnotations, Context
from pydantic import BaseModel, Field

class SendEmailInput(BaseModel):
    """LLM understands what parameters are needed through this Schema"""
    to: str = Field(..., description="Recipient email address")
    subject: str = Field(..., description="Email subject")
    body: str = Field(..., description="Email body")

class SendEmailOutput(BaseModel):
    """LLM understands what is returned through this Schema"""
    success: bool
    message_id: str = None

class SendEmailModule(Module):
    """Send email module

    Detailed documentation:
    - Supports text and HTML format emails
    - Uses SMTP protocol to connect to external mail server
    - Configuration items: smtp_host, smtp_port, smtp_user, smtp_pass

    Usage example:
      Input: {"to": "[email protected]", "subject": "Hello", "body": "World"}
      Output: {"success": true, "message_id": "msg_123"}

    Notes:
    - SMTP server information must be configured in the configuration file
    - Gmail limits 500 emails/day, other providers may have different limits
    - EmailSendError exception will be raised on send failure
    """

    # Core layer (must be defined)
    input_schema = SendEmailInput
    output_schema = SendEmailOutput
    description = "Send email to specified recipient. Uses SMTP protocol, non-idempotent operation, requires mail server configuration."

    # Optional: Detailed documentation (for complex modules)
    documentation = """
# Features
Send emails via SMTP protocol, supporting plain text and HTML formats.

## Configuration Requirements
- SMTP server information must be configured in apcore.yaml
- Valid SMTP authentication credentials required

## Use Cases
- Send notification emails, verification codes, reports

## Limitations
- Gmail: 500 emails/day
- Attachment size: ≤25MB
"""

    # Annotation layer (optional, type-safe)
    annotations = ModuleAnnotations(
        readonly=False,        # Has side effects
        destructive=False,     # Won't delete/overwrite data
        idempotent=False,      # Repeated calls will send repeatedly
        requires_approval=True, # Requires user confirmation
        open_world=True,       # Connects to external system (SMTP)
    )
    tags = ["email", "notification"]

    def execute(self, inputs: dict, context: Context) -> dict:
        validated = SendEmailInput(**inputs)
        # ... send email logic ...
        return SendEmailOutput(success=True, message_id="msg_123").model_dump()

This module automatically has: - LLM-understandable Schema and behavior annotations - Auto-generated ID (executor.email.send_email) - Input/output validation - Call chain tracing, observability

2. @module Decorator¶

Suitable for scenarios where source code can be modified, one-line integration:

# Before: Plain function
def send_email(to: str, subject: str, body: str) -> dict:
    """Send email"""
    return {"success": True, "message_id": "msg_123"}

# After: Add one line decorator, automatically becomes an apcore module
from apcore import module

@module(id="email.send", tags=["email"])
def send_email(to: str, subject: str, body: str) -> dict:
    """Send email"""
    return {"success": True, "message_id": "msg_123"}
# Schema automatically inferred from type annotations

3. module() Function Call¶

Suitable for scenarios where you don't want to modify source code, completely non-invasive to existing code:

from apcore import module

# Existing business code, no modification needed
class EmailService:
    def send(self, to: str, subject: str, body: str) -> dict:
        """Send email"""
        return {"success": True}

service = EmailService()
module(service.send, id="email.send")  # Register as apcore module

4. External Binding (Zero Code Modification)¶

Suitable for scenarios where source code cannot be modified (third-party libraries, legacy systems, etc.), pure YAML configuration:

# bindings/email.binding.yaml
bindings:
  - module_id: "email.send"
    target: "myapp.services.email:send_email"   # Callable object path
    description: "Send email"
    auto_schema: true     # Auto-generate Schema from type annotations
    annotations:
      open_world: true
      requires_approval: true
    tags: ["email"]

Comparison of Four Approaches¶

Approach	Code Invasiveness	Use Case	Schema Definition
Class-based	High (write new class)	New module development	Manual definition (most complete)
`@module` Decorator	Low (add one line)	Modifiable code	Inferred from type annotations
`module()` Function Call	Very low (don't modify original function)	Existing classes/methods	Inferred from type annotations
External Binding	Zero	Cannot modify source code scenarios	Auto-inferred or manually specified

Schema System¶

Detailed definitions: Schema Definition Guide | ModuleAnnotations API

Three-Layer Metadata Design¶

Each module's metadata is divided into three layers, progressing from required to optional:

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Core Layer (REQUIRED)                            │
│ input_schema / output_schema / description       │
│ → AI understands "what this module does"         │
│                                                  │
│ + documentation (OPTIONAL, detailed docs)        │
│ → AI understands "detailed use cases and         │
│   constraints"                                   │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Annotation Layer (OPTIONAL, type-safe)           │
│ annotations / examples / tags / version          │
│ → AI understands "how to use correctly"          │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Extension Layer (OPTIONAL, free dictionary)      │
│ metadata: dict[str, Any]                         │
│ → Custom requirements (framework doesn't         │
│   validate)                                      │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Description and Documentation Fields¶

Borrowing from Claude Skill's Progressive Disclosure design, apcore uses two fields to organize module documentation:

Field	Required	Length Limit	Markdown	Purpose
`description`	Required	≤200 characters	No	Brief module function description for AI quick matching and understanding
`documentation`	Optional	≤5000 characters	Yes	Detailed documentation including use cases, constraints, configuration requirements

Module discovery phase: AI reads all modules' description, quickly determines candidate modules
Call decision phase: AI loads documentation on-demand, learns detailed usage and constraints

Complete format rules and correspondence with Claude Skill / OpenAPI: see Protocol Specification §4.8. Code examples: see Class-based Modules above.

Schema Definition¶

Schema is based on JSON Schema Draft 2020-12, supports YAML format definition (shared across languages). Schema files are placed in the schemas/ directory, with paths corresponding to module IDs.

Complete Schema format and YAML examples: see Schema Definition Guide | Protocol Specification §4.

Module Annotations¶

Annotations describe module behavior characteristics, helping AI make safer call decisions:

Annotation	Type	Description	AI Behavior Impact
`readonly`	bool	No side effects, read-only operation	AI can safely call autonomously
`destructive`	bool	May delete or overwrite data	AI should request user confirmation before calling
`idempotent`	bool	Repeated calls have same result	AI can safely retry
`requires_approval`	bool	Requires explicit user consent	AI must wait for user approval
`open_world`	bool	Connects to external systems	AI should inform user of external interaction

# Read-only query - AI can call autonomously
annotations = ModuleAnnotations(readonly=True)

# Delete operation - AI needs to request confirmation
annotations = ModuleAnnotations(destructive=True, requires_approval=True)

# External API call - AI needs to inform user
annotations = ModuleAnnotations(open_world=True, idempotent=True)

LLM Extension Fields¶

Fields with x- prefix in Schema are LLM-specific extensions, don't affect standard JSON Schema validation:

Field	Description	Example
`x-llm-description`	Extended description for LLM (more detailed than description)	`"User's login password, at least 8 characters"`
`x-examples`	Example values to help LLM understand format	`["[email protected]"]`
`x-sensitive`	Mark sensitive fields (password, API Key, etc.)	`true`
`x-constraints`	Business constraints described in natural language	`"Must be a registered user"`
`x-deprecated`	Deprecation information	`{"since": "2.0", "use": "new_field"}`

Complete usage and examples: see Schema Definition Guide | Protocol Specification §4.3.

Context Object¶

Context is the execution context that runs through the entire call chain, carrying tracing, permissions, and shared data:

class Context:
  trace_id: str           # Call trace ID (UUID v4; W3C trace-id compatible in distributed scenarios)
    caller_id: str | None   # Caller module ID (None for top-level calls)
    call_chain: list[str]   # Call chain (accumulated in call order)
    executor: Executor      # Executor reference (entry point for inter-module calls)
    identity: Identity      # Caller identity
    data: dict              # Shared data (reference-shared within call chain)

Call Chain Propagation¶

# Top-level call
context = Context(trace_id="abc-123", identity=Identity(id="user_1", roles=["admin"]))

# Module A is called
#   trace_id: "abc-123"        ← Stays the same
#   caller_id: None            ← No caller at top level
#   call_chain: ["module_a"]

# Module A internally calls Module B
result = context.executor.call("module_b", inputs, context)
#   trace_id: "abc-123"        ← Stays the same
#   caller_id: "module_a"      ← Caller is module_a
#   call_chain: ["module_a", "module_b"]

# Module B internally calls Module C
#   trace_id: "abc-123"        ← Same trace_id for entire chain
#   caller_id: "module_b"
#   call_chain: ["module_a", "module_b", "module_c"]

Key Feature: context.data is reference-shared throughout the entire call chain, allowing modules to pass intermediate results and implement pipeline-style data flow.

ACL Access Control¶

Detailed definitions: ACL Configuration Guide | Protocol Specification §6

ACL (Access Control List) controls which modules can call which modules, default deny:

# acl/global_acl.yaml
rules:
  # API layer can only call orchestration layer
  - callers: ["api.*"]
    targets: ["orchestrator.*"]
    effect: allow

  # Orchestration layer can call execution layer
  - callers: ["orchestrator.*"]
    targets: ["executor.*"]
    effect: allow

  # Forbid cross-layer calls (API directly calling execution layer)
  - callers: ["api.*"]
    targets: ["executor.*"]
    effect: deny

  # System internal modules unrestricted
  - callers: ["@system"]
    targets: ["*"]
    effect: allow

default_effect: deny  # Default deny when no rules match

audit:
  enabled: true
  log_level: info
  include_denied: true

Special Caller Identifiers¶

Identifier	Description
`@external`	Top-level external call (HTTP request, CLI command, etc.)
`@system`	Framework internal call
`*`	Wildcard, matches all

Conditional Rules¶

rules:
  - callers: ["api.*"]
    targets: ["executor.payment.*"]
    effect: allow
    conditions:
      identity_types: ["user"]      # Only user identity
      roles: ["admin", "finance"]   # Only admin or finance roles
      max_call_depth: 5             # Maximum call depth

Middleware¶

Detailed definitions: Middleware Guide

Middleware uses the Onion Model, allowing custom logic to be inserted before and after module execution:

Request → [MW1.before → [MW2.before → [MW3.before →
          [Module.execute()]
← MW3.after] ← MW2.after] ← MW1.after] ← Response

class LoggingMiddleware(Middleware):
    def before(self, module_id: str, inputs: dict, context: Context) -> dict:
        log.info(f"Calling {module_id} with trace_id={context.trace_id}")
        return inputs  # Can modify inputs

    def after(self, module_id: str, inputs: dict, output: dict, context: Context) -> dict:
        log.info(f"Result from {module_id}: success")
        return output  # Can modify output

    def on_error(self, module_id: str, inputs: dict, error: Exception, context: Context):
        log.error(f"Error in {module_id}: {error}")
        # Optional: Convert exception, trigger alerts, etc.

Typical middleware scenarios: logging, performance monitoring, caching, rate limiting, retry, auditing.

Configuration¶

The framework is centrally configured through apcore.yaml:

# apcore.yaml
version: "1.0.0"

project:
  name: "my-ai-project"
  version: "0.1.0"

# Module discovery (single root mode, backward compatible)
extensions:
  root: "./extensions"       # Module root directory
  auto_discover: true        # Auto-scan and discover
  lazy_load: true            # Lazy load (load module only on first call)
  max_depth: 8               # Maximum directory depth

# Or: Multi-root mode (namespace isolation)
# extensions:
#   roots:
#     - root: "./extensions"
#       namespace: "core"    # Explicit namespace → core.executor.email.send_email
#     - "./plugins"          # Auto namespace → plugins.my_tool

# Schema loading
schema:
  root: "./schemas"
  strategy: "yaml_first"     # yaml_first | native_first | yaml_only
  validation:
    strict: true             # Strict validation mode
    coerce_types: true       # Automatic type coercion

# Access control
acl:
  root: "./acl"
  default_effect: "deny"     # Default deny
  audit:
    enabled: true

# Logging
logging:
  level: "info"              # trace | debug | info | warn | error | fatal
  format: "json"             # json | text

# Observability
observability:
  tracing:
    enabled: true
    sampling_rate: 1.0       # 1.0 = full collection, 0.1 = 10% sampling
    exporter: "stdout"       # stdout | otlp | jaeger
  metrics:
    enabled: true
    exporter: "prometheus"

# Middleware
middleware:
  - class: "myapp.middleware.LoggingMiddleware"
    priority: 100
  - class: "myapp.middleware.CachingMiddleware"
    priority: 50
    config:
      ttl: 300

Observability¶

apcore has built-in three pillars of observability, compatible with OpenTelemetry:

Tracing¶

trace_id is automatically generated and propagated through the call chain
Span naming convention: apcore.{component}.{operation}
Supports export to stdout / OTLP / Jaeger

Logging¶

Structured logging, automatically includes trace_id
Fields marked with x-sensitive are automatically redacted (e.g., passwords show as ***REDACTED***)
Executor automatically provides context.redacted_inputs, middleware and logs should use redacted data

Metrics¶

Metric Name	Type	Description
`apcore_module_calls_total`	Counter	Total module calls
`apcore_module_duration_seconds`	Histogram	Module execution duration distribution
`apcore_module_errors_total`	Counter	Total module errors

Error Handling¶

apcore defines a unified error format and standard error codes:

Error Format¶

{
  "code": "SCHEMA_VALIDATION_ERROR",
  "message": "Input validation failed",
  "details": {"field": "email", "reason": "invalid format"},
  "cause": null,
  "trace_id": "abc-123",
  "timestamp": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"
}

Standard Error Codes¶

Category	Error Code	Description	Retryable
Module	`MODULE_NOT_FOUND`	Module does not exist	No
Module	`MODULE_EXECUTE_ERROR`	Execution exception	Depends
Module	`MODULE_TIMEOUT`	Execution timeout	Yes
Schema	`SCHEMA_VALIDATION_ERROR`	Input/output validation failed	No
Schema	`SCHEMA_NOT_FOUND`	Schema file does not exist	No
ACL	`ACL_DENIED`	Permission denied	No
Binding	`BINDING_INVALID_TARGET`	Invalid binding target path	No
Binding	`BINDING_CALLABLE_NOT_FOUND`	Bound callable object not found	No
General	`GENERAL_INTERNAL_ERROR`	Internal error	Yes

Cross-Language Support¶

apcore is a language-agnostic framework specification. Canonical IDs are automatically adapted to local naming conventions in different languages:

Canonical ID (universal): executor.email.send_email

Local representation:
Python:     executor/email/send_email.py      class SendEmailModule
Rust:       executor/email/send_email.rs       struct SendEmailModule
Go:         executor/email/send_email.go       type SendEmailModule
Java:       executor/email/SendEmail.java      class SendEmailModule
TypeScript: executor/email/sendEmail.ts        class SendEmailModule

ID Mapping Rules¶

Automatic language detection (based on file extension)
Case conversion (PascalCase ↔ snake_case ↔ camelCase)
Path separator normalization (/ vs :: vs .)
Supports manual override (id_map configuration)

Conformance Levels¶

Any language SDK implementation can choose different conformance levels:

Level	Scope	Includes
Level 0 (Core)	Minimally viable	ID mapping, Schema loading, Registry, Executor
Level 1 (Standard)	Production ready	+ ACL, middleware, error handling, observability
Level 2 (Full)	Complete implementation	+ Hot reload, distributed execution, advanced monitoring

Reference Implementation: apcore-python

Relationship with Other Tools¶

apcore vs MCP¶

	apcore	MCP
Positioning	Development framework	Communication protocol
Solves	How to build modules	How to call tools
Focus	Code organization, Schema, ACL, observability	Transport format, RPC
Relationship	apcore modules can be exposed as MCP Server	MCP is one exposure method

apcore vs LangChain / LlamaIndex¶

	apcore	LangChain etc.
Positioning	Module development framework	LLM application development framework
Focus	Module standardization, Schema, permissions	Chaining, Prompt, RAG
Relationship	Complementary — apcore modules can serve as LangChain Tools

apcore vs CrewAI / AutoGen¶

	apcore	CrewAI etc.
Positioning	Module development framework	Agent orchestration framework
Focus	Standardizing individual modules	Multi-agent collaboration strategies
Relationship	Complementary — Agents can call apcore modules

In short: apcore focuses on building standardized, AI-understandable modules, complementary rather than competitive with upper-layer AI protocols/frameworks.

Implementations¶

Language SDK implementations of the apcore protocol specification:

Language	Repository	Features	Install
Python	apcore-python	Schema validation, Registry, Executor, @module decorator, YAML bindings, ACL, Middleware, Observability, Async support	`pip install apcore`

Interested in implementing apcore for another language? See the Protocol Specification and Conformance Definition.

Ecosystem¶

The apcore ecosystem uses a core + independent adapters architecture. The core does not include any framework-specific implementations; adapters are developed in independent repositories by official or community contributors.

Adapter Types¶

Type	Examples	Description
Web Frameworks	`apcore-fastapi`, `apcore-flask`, `apcore-express`	Expose modules as HTTP APIs
AI Protocols	`apcore-mcp`, `apcore-openai-tools`	Expose modules as AI tools
RPC	`apcore-grpc`, `apcore-thrift`	Expose modules as RPC services

All adapters are built on the core's module() and External Binding mechanisms. Development guide: see Adapter Development Guide.

Documentation Index¶

Core Documentation¶

Document	Description
Protocol Specification	Complete framework specification (RFC 2119 Conformant)
Scope Definition	Responsibility boundaries (what's in/out of scope)

Concepts & Architecture¶

Document	Description
Core Concepts	Design philosophy and core concepts explained
Architecture Design	Internal architecture, component interaction, memory model

API Reference¶

Document	Description
Module Interface	Module interface definition
Context Object	Execution context
Registry API	Registry API
Executor API	Executor API

Usage Guides¶

Document	Description
Creating Modules	Module creation tutorial (including four approaches)
Schema Definition	Complete Schema usage
ACL Configuration	Access control configuration
Middleware	Middleware development
Adapter Development	Framework adapter development
Testing Modules	Module testing guide
Multi-Language Development	Cross-language development guide

Specification Documents¶

Document	Description
Type Mapping	Cross-language type mapping
Conformance Definition	Implementation conformance levels
Algorithm Reference	Core algorithm summary (including namespace, redaction, etc.)

Contributing¶

Contributions are welcome in the following forms:

Specification Feedback: Suggest improvements to the protocol specification in Issues
SDK Implementation: Implement SDKs for other languages based on Protocol Specification
Adapter Development: Develop adapters for web frameworks or AI protocols
Documentation Improvements: Fix, translate, or supplement documentation

License¶

Apache 2.0