Lumen Core is a lightweight PHP framework designed for developers who need to build fast microservices and APIs. It is ideal for projects where speed and a small footprint are more critical than a full-stack framework's extensive feature set.

Fast Routing and Performance: Built for speed, it uses a fast router and is optimized for minimal overhead, resulting in quick response times for API endpoints and services. Simple Dependency Injection: The framework includes a straightforward dependency injection container, making it easier to manage class dependencies and write testable code. Built-in Authentication and Security: Provides simple, out-of-the-box tools for API authentication and includes security features to help protect against common web vulnerabilities. Database Abstraction with Eloquent ORM: Optional integration with the Eloquent ORM allows for an expressive, simple way to interact with your database, using an active record implementation. Queue Service Integration: Supports background job processing through a unified API, helping to defer time-consuming tasks and improve application responsiveness.