Algernon is a small, self-contained web server and lightweight application server written in Go. It serves content from files and directories, and can also run dynamic request handlers using embedded Lua (optionally Teal).

Key Features

Single executable with no external runtime dependencies
Built-in Lua scripting for request handlers plus optional Teal type checking
File-based conventions for serving content (for example index.lua, index.md, templates)
Built-in rendering for Markdown and template formats (including Pongo2 and Amber)
Supports HTTP/2 and optional HTTP/3 (QUIC), plus TLS support
Database backends including Redis (default), SQLite, PostgreSQL, and MySQL/MariaDB
Users, permissions, and configurable access control for paths
Auto-refresh for fast local development using Server-Sent Events
Plugin system via JSON-RPC to integrate external programs

Use Cases

Hosting small to medium websites where Markdown and templates are preferred
Building lightweight web apps that use Lua handlers with Redis/SQL backends
Rapid prototyping with live reload and minimal configuration

Limitations and Considerations

The built-in Lua runtime (gopher-lua) does not support dynamic native module loading via package.loadlib
Auto-refresh file watching is limited to Linux and macOS in current implementations

Algernon is well-suited for developers who want a compact Go-based server that can serve static content and run dynamic logic with embedded scripting. Its broad built-in feature set makes it useful for quickly shipping small web applications with minimal setup.