OpenTelemetry plugins, gRPC support, simplified dependency injection, and managed database transactions are coming to the Kotlin-based framework

JetBrains has unveiled a development roadmap for Ktor, its Kotlin-based framework designed for asynchronous client and server applications. Leading the agenda are key enhancements such as OpenTelemetry plugins, gRPC integration, streamlined dependency injection, and managed transaction support. The 2024 roadmap for Ktor, published by JetBrains on March 12, maintains a focus on maintaining the framework's lightweight, flexible, and transparent nature, aligning with ongoing goals from previous years. OpenTelemetry plugins for both Ktor Client and Ktor Server are set to enable the generation of telemetry data encompassing metrics, logs, and traces. This initiative aims to aid operators in analyzing software performance and behavior effectively.

Furthermore, plans for 2024 include the integration of gRPC into both Ktor Client and Ktor Server through Kotlin idiomatic implementations, offering familiarity akin to HTTP and REST. To enhance support for multiplatform libraries, JetBrains plans to adopt Kotlinx-io multiplatform library networking types, replacing existing bespoke types. A command-line interface (CLI) tool for Ktor is also on the agenda to provide an alternative to the online project generator in JetBrains Intellij IDEA Ultimate IDE, allowing users to manage projects via the terminal. Lastly, JetBrains aims to introduce a mechanism for third-party Ktor plugins, featuring a simplified plugin format, an updated project generator, and guidelines for plugin submission via pull requests to the Ktor team.