Glommio is a thread-per-core asynchronous runtime for Rust that uses io_uring to enable highly parallel applications on Linux without helper threads.
The problem Glommio solves is the overhead and complexity of traditional work-stealing schedulers in async runtimes, which rely on helper threads to manage task distribution. Instead, Glommio implements a cooperative thread-per-core architecture where each CPU core runs its own executor, eliminating the need for helper threads entirely. This approach leverages io_uring, a modern Linux kernel interface for asynchronous I/O, to handle both I/O operations and task scheduling efficiently within a single thread per core.
Glommio suits projects targeting Linux systems where you can control thread placement and want to minimize scheduler overhead. It works well for applications that benefit from predictable latency and efficient resource utilization, particularly those handling high-concurrency I/O workloads. The tool is appropriate for developers already familiar with Rust's async/await syntax, as the programming model builds directly on standard async patterns. It requires Linux kernel 5.8 or later with io_uring support and at least 512 KiB of locked memory per executor.
The project maintains active community engagement through a dedicated Zulip chat where users discuss applications and seek help. Development follows the latest stable Rust release with a minimum supported version policy, ensuring compatibility with recent language features while maintaining a defined support window. The codebase is actively maintained with clear contribution guidelines documented in the repository.
