---
title: Arc.Core
description: Standalone Arc pipelines and lightweight HTTP hosting without ASP.NET Core or an event store.
---


Use `Cratis.Arc.Core` when you want commands, queries, validation, authorization, identity details, and tenant context without the ASP.NET Core host. A console application or worker can expose HTTP endpoints through `ArcApplication` and .NET's `HttpListener`.

## Start with a working service

The [getting-started checkpoint](/arc/backend/csharp/core/getting-started/) runs a command and query using only Core. Read the [host comparison](/arc/backend/csharp/core/overview/) to decide whether Core or the `Cratis.Arc` ASP.NET integration fits your application. Performance and Native AOT compatibility require testing your actual dependencies and publish configuration; they are not guaranteed by choosing Core.

## Topics

- [Overview](/arc/backend/csharp/core/overview/) — capabilities, boundaries, and host choice.
- [Getting started](/arc/backend/csharp/core/getting-started/) — register, activate, and run.
- [Endpoint mapping](/arc/backend/csharp/core/endpoint-mapping/) — manual GET/POST endpoints.
- [Static files](/arc/backend/csharp/core/static-files/) — public assets and SPA fallback.
- [Authentication](/arc/backend/csharp/core/authentication/) — trusted principals and forwarded-header prerequisites.
- [Authorization](/arc/backend/csharp/core/authorization/) — pipeline authentication and role checks.
- [OpenAPI](/arc/backend/csharp/core/openapi/) — built-in lightweight route documentation.
- [Invariant culture](/arc/backend/csharp/core/invariant-culture/) — default culture configuration.

## Shared features and optional integrations

[Commands](/arc/backend/csharp/commands/), [queries](/arc/backend/csharp/queries/), [identity](/arc/backend/csharp/identity/), and [tenancy](/arc/backend/csharp/tenancy/) belong to standalone Arc. Review [configuration](/arc/backend/csharp/configuration/) and [anonymous discovery defaults](/arc/backend/csharp/introspection/) before deployment.

Add [MongoDB](/arc/backend/csharp/mongodb/) or [EF Core](/arc/backend/csharp/entity-framework/) for persistence without requiring event sourcing. Add [Chronicle](/arc/backend/csharp/chronicle/) only when you want its event log, projections, and integration behavior. These integrations have their own packages and setup requirements.