> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://quantumphp.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://quantumphp.gitbook.io/docs/packages/app/overview.md).

# Overview

The App package is Quantum's bootstrap and runtime entry point.

Use it when you need to start either a web request lifecycle or a console command lifecycle from a project base directory.

## What the package provides

* `AppFactory` for creating the runtime entry point
* `App` as the adapter-backed application object
* `AppContext` for base-directory and DI-backed shared runtime access
* built-in `web` and `console` adapters
* bootstrap stages for helpers, environment, config, HTTP, debugger, modules, and error handling
* path and utility helpers such as `base_dir()`, `modules_dir()`, `slugify()`, and `uuid_random()`

## Quick start

### Boot a web app

```php
use Quantum\App\Factories\AppFactory;
use Quantum\App\Enums\AppType;

$app = AppFactory::create(AppType::WEB, __DIR__);
$app->start();
```

### Boot a console app

```php
use Quantum\App\Factories\AppFactory;
use Quantum\App\Enums\AppType;

$app = AppFactory::create(AppType::CONSOLE, __DIR__);
$exitCode = $app->start();
```

## When to use it

Use the App package when you are wiring framework startup itself:

* front controllers such as `public/index.php`
* CLI entry points such as `qt`
* tests or tools that need a full Quantum app instance

Most application code should use downstream packages like Router, Http, View, or Console instead of talking to App internals directly.

## Important behavior

`AppFactory::create()` caches one `App` instance per app type.

Practical effect:

* the first `web` app created in a process is reused for later `web` calls
* the first `console` app created in a process is reused for later `console` calls
* changing the base directory in a later call does not create a new instance for the same type

If you need a fresh runtime for the same type, call `AppFactory::destroy($type)` before creating it again.


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