Connect-Next Middleware Framework

connect-next is an actively maintained fork of the classic Connect middleware framework for Node.js, providing a high-performance, pluggable HTTP server framework built around a "middleware" stack. The current stable version is 4.0.1, released as part of an active development cadence. Key differentiators from the original Connect include a complete rewrite in TypeScript, native ES module (ESM) publication, and a stricter Node.js engine requirement (currently `^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0`). It also ships with its own TypeScript types, eliminating the need for `@types/connect`. The project modernizes the proven Connect architecture, ensuring compatibility with contemporary Node.js practices and providing a robust foundation for web applications.