12 Days of BoxLang – Day 1 🎄
ColdBox + BoxLang: The Future of Modern MVC on the JVM Welcome to Day 1 of the 12 Days of BoxLang
To kick off the series, we’re starting with one of the most powerful combinations in the Ortus ecosystem: ColdBox + BoxLang.
ColdBox has been the standard for modern CFML MVC development for over a decade. BoxLang is the next-generation dynamic language built for JVM and beyond. Together, they reshape how developers build web apps, APIs, microservices, CLIs, and soon desktop applications.
Let’s dive into why ColdBox 8 + BoxLang PRIME is a major milestone for the future of modern application development.
ColdBox 8.0.0: A New Era for MVC
ColdBox 8 isn’t just an update it’s a re-architecture that embraces modern JVM standards, AI-assisted development, native BoxLang compilation, and faster, more secure application design.
A few standout advancements:
- Native BoxLang Support through the new
bx-coldboxmodule - Virtual Thread Executors for high-performance async workloads
- AI-powered developer tooling
- Modernized templates and CLI
- Foundation for desktop apps built on ColdBox
ColdBox is now fully aligned with the future of the language.
BoxLang Native Support (bx-coldbox)
For the first time ever, ColdBox runs natively inside the BoxLang engine.
This is made possible by the pre-compiled bx-coldbox module, which integrates directly at the runtime level.
What this unlocks ⚡
- Faster Startup Times thanks to native BoxLang bytecode
- Improved Security with precompiled modules
- Better Performance optimized for the BoxLang VM
- Engine-level Installation that serves all your BoxLang apps
Install it instantly:
box install bx-coldbox
# or
install-bx-module bx-coldbox
This is the fastest, cleanest, most future-proof way to run ColdBox applications.
Introducing BoxLang PRIME
BoxLang PRIME is the next evolution of runtime compatibility allowing ColdBox to run without the CFML compatibility layer.
This means:
- Native BoxLang execution
- Smaller, lighter apps
- Faster cold starts
- Cleaner, modern syntax
- A runtime built for today’s JVM features
With PRIME + ColdBox 8, you get a full-stack modern environment that feels fresh, fast, and designed for long-term growth.
This is how new BoxLang apps should be built.
New Possibilities: Desktop ColdBox Apps 💻
One of the most exciting things coming soon:
ColdBox apps running as cross-platform desktop applications via BoxLang Desktop.
Yes—real desktop apps, powered by:
- Web technologies
- The ColdBox framework
- The BoxLang runtime
- True cross-platform distribution (Windows, macOS, Linux)
This opens the door to use ColdBox in places it has never been before.
Stay tuned—this is a game-changer.
A Modern, Rebuilt ColdBox CLI
ColdBox 8 ships with a completely rebuilt CLI designed for productivity and modern tooling.
You now get:
- Migration generators
- Docker-native support
- Vite-powered frontend workflows
- API testing tools
- AI-assisted scaffolding
- Improved app initialization and configuration
install coldbox-cli
coldbox create app MyBoxLangApp
The CLI now reflects the modern standards expected from a full-stack JVM framework.
Modern Application Templates
ColdBox 8 introduces two new, fully redesigned templates:
1. BoxLang Template (Native) 🚀
Perfect for:
- Greenfield apps
- Microservices
- Lightweight APIs
- BoxLang-first projects
Includes:
- Native BoxLang build system
- Secure non-root Docker setup
- Vite support
- TestBox integration
- Maven support
2. Modern Template (Enterprise)
Perfect for:
- High-compliance environments
- Enterprise applications
- AI-first configuration
- Architectural standardization
Includes:
- Multi-stage Docker
- Structured logging + monitoring
- Migrations
- Modular structure
- GitHub Actions CI/CD
Both templates reflect real-world needs, not theory.
AI-Enhanced Development
ColdBox 8 integrates AI into the development workflow in practical, meaningful ways:
- MCP server integration (Copilot, Claude, etc.)
- Smart documentation lookup
- Intelligent handler/component generation
- AI-assisted debugging via the new Whoops experience
The goal: reduce boilerplate, simplify learning, and speed up problem solving.
High-Performance Async with Virtual Threads
Powered by Java’s Project Loom, ColdBox now supports virtual thread executors.
Benefits include:
- Massive concurrency without thread pool complexity
- Better throughput for APIs and microservices
- Built-in monitoring
- Simple async execution patterns
ColdBox is now aligned with the modern JVM performance landscape.
Why Use BoxLang + ColdBox Together?
Because together they provide:
- A clean, powerful MVC architecture
- Native BoxLang performance and syntax
- A modern runtime backed by the JVM
- First-class tooling for APIs, web apps, microservices, and desktop
- AI-assisted workflows for faster development
- Future-proof design with BoxLang PRIME
- A community and ecosystem built for the next decade
ColdBox brings structure.
BoxLang brings power, speed, and modern language design.
Together, they’re the strongest path forward for JVM-based dynamic applications.
Get Started Today
# Install ColdBox 8
box install coldbox
# Install the CLI
box install coldbox-cli
# Create a BoxLang-native ColdBox app
coldbox create app MyBoxLangApp
# Add native ColdBox edition
box install bx-coldbox
Resources
- ColdBox Docs: https://coldbox.ortusbooks.com
- BoxLang Docs: https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com
- Ortus Community Slack
- GitHub Repositories
- Training: https://ortussolutions.com/training
Want to Join the BoxLang Modern World?
Become a Pioneer
BoxLang is growing fast features are expanding, the ecosystem is thriving, and performance is turning heads. But the most exciting part? You can be part of shaping it from the very beginning.
The Pioneer Program is your gateway to early access, unmatched support, and unbeatable value. Here’s what you get:
- Everything in BoxLang+, and more:
- Professional support to get you running smoothly
- A dedicated Slack channel for direct access to our team, solve issues in seconds
- Priority handling for your feature requests and bug fixes
- Migration done with you, not just for you:
- Our engineers work alongside your team to migrate your apps end-to-end
- Guaranteed compatibility, we won’t stop until it works perfectly
- Big savings, no hidden tricks:
- At least 40% off your current licensing costs, locked in early, no surprise charges as you grow
Still Not Convinced?
If you’re unsure how BoxLang will work with your applications, or whether it can truly make a difference, we’ve made it easy to see the value for yourself, risk-free:
-
Free 30-Minute Consultation & App Diagnosis
We’ll review your applications, identify bottlenecks, and give you a clear modernization plan. You’ll see exactly where you can save time, reduce costs, and unlock new possibilities with BoxLang.
-
1-Year Free Non-Production License
Test-drive BoxLang Premium features in your own environment, no rush, no pressure. Explore advanced capabilities, experiment freely, and experience the benefits firsthand before making any commitments.
Contact Us
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