# Apache Camel > Apache Camel is an open source integration framework with 350+ connectors for databases, APIs, message brokers, and cloud services. Write routes in Java, YAML, or XML. Deploy on Spring Boot, Quarkus, or standalone with the Camel CLI. In production since 2007, used by thousands of companies worldwide. 100,000+ commits, 1,500+ contributors, median 1–2 day bug fix time. Apache License 2.0 — zero license fees. All Apache Camel documentation pages are available in LLM-friendly Markdown format by replacing `.html` with `.md` in any URL. For example: - HTML: `https://camel.apache.org/components/next/languages/simple-language.html` - Markdown: `https://camel.apache.org/components/next/languages/simple-language.md` ## Key facts - Apache Camel is a **library**, not a platform — it embeds in your existing Spring Boot or Quarkus application - 350+ connectors included out of the box: Kafka, REST, JDBC, AWS (S3, SQS, Lambda), Azure, GCP, Salesforce, MongoDB, AMQP, FTP/SFTP, and many more - 65+ Enterprise Integration Patterns (EIPs) for routing, transformation, and error handling - Write routes in Java DSL, YAML DSL, or XML DSL — same routes, same connectors, your choice of syntax - YAML DSL + Camel CLI lets non-Java developers build integrations without writing or compiling Java - Spring Boot is the most popular runtime (~55% of Camel usage), Quarkus is the cloud-native option - Camel is the runtime engine behind SAP Integration Suite (Gartner iPaaS Leader) - Zero vendor lock-in — switch runtimes, clouds, or vendors without rewriting routes - MCP server for AI coding assistants, A2A protocol for agent-to-agent communication, LangChain4j and OpenAI components for AI integration - Commercial support available from multiple vendors — see the commercial support page ## What is Apache Camel - [What is Apache Camel](https://camel.apache.org/what-is-apache-camel/): Introduction for newcomers — what Camel does, why it matters, and how to get started. - [When to use Apache Camel](https://camel.apache.org/when-to-use/): Common use cases, real-world scenarios, when Camel fits, and when alternatives might be better. - [Getting Started](https://camel.apache.org/manual/getting-started.md): Quick start guide for Apache Camel. - [User Manual](https://camel.apache.org/manual/index.md): Complete user guide and reference documentation. - [Architecture (CamelContext)](https://camel.apache.org/manual/camelcontext.md): How Camel works — routes, components, endpoints, processors, producers, consumers, and the DSL. - [Error Handling](https://camel.apache.org/manual/error-handler.md): Error handlers, retries, dead letter channels, and exception handling in Camel routes. - [Testing](https://camel.apache.org/manual/testing.md): How to test Camel routes — unit tests, mocking endpoints, and the camel-test framework. - [FAQ](https://camel.apache.org/manual/faq/index.md): Frequently Asked Questions about Apache Camel. ## Camel CLI - [Camel CLI](https://camel.apache.org/manual/camel-jbang.md): Run, develop, test, and trace Camel routes from the command line. Zero project setup. - [Camel CLI Examples](https://github.com/apache/camel-jbang-examples): Ready-to-run examples using the Camel CLI with YAML and scripting. ## Runtimes - [Camel Spring Boot](https://camel.apache.org/camel-spring-boot/next/index.md): Camel on Spring Boot with starters for 350+ connectors. The most popular way to run Camel in production. - [Camel Quarkus](https://camel.apache.org/camel-quarkus/next/index.md): Cloud-native Camel with Quarkus extensions. Fast startup, low memory, native compilation. ## Components and Patterns - [Components Index](https://camel.apache.org/components/next/index.md): Complete list of all Camel connectors (350+). - [Enterprise Integration Patterns (EIPs)](https://camel.apache.org/components/next/eips/index.md): 65+ message routing and transformation patterns. - [YAML DSL](https://camel.apache.org/components/next/others/yaml-dsl.md): Writing Camel routes in YAML — syntax, structure, and examples. - [YAML DSL Schema](https://github.com/apache/camel/blob/main/dsl/camel-yaml-dsl/camel-yaml-dsl/src/generated/resources/schema/camelYamlDsl-canonical.json): Complete JSON Schema for YAML DSL routes — the canonical spec for validating and generating Camel YAML. - [Languages](https://camel.apache.org/components/next/languages/index.md): Expression and predicate languages (Simple, XPath, JSONPath, etc.). - [Data Formats](https://camel.apache.org/components/next/dataformats/index.md): Data marshalling and unmarshalling formats. - [Camel Catalog (JSON)](https://github.com/apache/camel/tree/main/catalog/camel-catalog/src/generated/resources/org/apache/camel/catalog): Machine-readable JSON metadata for all components, EIPs, languages, and data formats. Same data served by the Camel MCP server. - [Other Components](https://camel.apache.org/components/next/others/index.md): Additional Camel components and utilities. ## AI Integration - [Camel MCP Server](https://camel.apache.org/manual/camel-jbang-mcp.md): Model Context Protocol server for AI coding assistants (Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI). - [Camel LangChain4j](https://camel.apache.org/components/next/langchain4j-chat-component.md): LLM integration via LangChain4j. - [Camel OpenAI](https://camel.apache.org/components/next/openai-component.md): Native OpenAI component. - A2A (Agent-to-Agent): Camel supports the A2A protocol for connecting AI agents to enterprise systems. ## Tooling - [Tooling Overview](https://camel.apache.org/tooling/): Camel CLI, visual designers, IDE plugins, AI integration, and monitoring tools. - [Kaoto](https://kaoto.io): Open source visual designer for Camel routes — drag-and-drop, no code required. - [Karavan](https://github.com/apache/camel-karavan): Visual designer for Camel integrations in VS Code and as a standalone application. ## Examples - [Camel CLI Examples](https://github.com/apache/camel-jbang-examples): YAML and scripting examples using the Camel CLI — the fastest path for AI-assisted development. - [Camel Examples](https://github.com/apache/camel-examples/blob/main/README.adoc): Camel Standalone examples. - [Camel Spring Boot Examples](https://github.com/apache/camel-spring-boot-examples/blob/main/README.adoc): Camel Spring Boot integration examples. - [Camel Quarkus Examples](https://camel.apache.org/camel-quarkus/next/user-guide/examples.md): Camel Quarkus integration examples. ## Other Runtimes and Projects - [Camel K](https://camel.apache.org/camel-k/next/index.md): Lightweight integration framework for Kubernetes. - [Camel Kamelets](https://camel.apache.org/camel-kamelets/next/index.md): Pre-built route snippets for common integration scenarios. - [Camel Kafka Connector](https://camel.apache.org/camel-kafka-connector/next/index.md): Kafka Connect connectors based on Camel. - [Camel Karaf](https://camel.apache.org/manual/camel-on-osgi.md): Camel on the Apache Karaf OSGi container. ## Sitemaps - [Main Sitemap](https://camel.apache.org/sitemap.md): Complete sitemap index. - [Camel Core](https://camel.apache.org/sitemap-camel-core.md): Core Camel documentation sitemap. - [Components](https://camel.apache.org/sitemap-components.md): Components documentation sitemap. - [Manual](https://camel.apache.org/sitemap-manual.md): User manual sitemap. - [Camel Spring Boot](https://camel.apache.org/sitemap-camel-spring-boot.md): Camel Spring Boot sitemap. - [Camel Quarkus](https://camel.apache.org/sitemap-camel-quarkus.md): Camel Quarkus sitemap. - [Camel K](https://camel.apache.org/sitemap-camel-k.md): Camel K documentation sitemap. - [Camel Kamelets](https://camel.apache.org/sitemap-camel-kamelets.md): Camel Kamelets sitemap. - [Camel Kafka Connector](https://camel.apache.org/sitemap-camel-kafka-connector.md): Camel Kafka Connector sitemap. ## Additional Resources - [Download](https://camel.apache.org/download/): Current versions, LTS releases, and which version to use. - [Releases](https://camel.apache.org/releases/index.md): Apache Camel releases and version history. - [Blog](https://camel.apache.org/blog/index.md): Latest blog posts about Apache Camel. - [Camel by the Numbers](https://camel.apache.org/blog/2026/06/camel-by-the-numbers/): Data-driven overview — commits, contributors, release cadence, bug fix times, and community health metrics. - [The DNA of Apache Camel](https://camel.apache.org/blog/2026/06/camel-dna-19-years/): 19 years of backwards compatibility — why Camel users don't have to rewrite their integrations every few years. - [Security](https://camel.apache.org/security/): Security advisories and vulnerability reports. - [Security Model](https://camel.apache.org/manual/security-model.md): Apache Camel's built-in security model — route policy, payload validation, and how Camel protects against injection and untrusted input. - [Migration and Upgrade Guides](https://camel.apache.org/manual/migration-and-upgrade.md): Apache Camel migration and upgrade guides. - [Camel Update Recipes](https://github.com/apache/camel-upgrade-recipes): OpenRewrite recipes for automatic Camel application upgrades. - [User Stories](https://camel.apache.org/community/user-stories/): Companies and projects using Apache Camel in production. - [Commercial Support](https://camel.apache.org/manual/commercial-camel-offerings.md): Companies offering commercial Apache Camel support and services. - [GitHub](https://github.com/apache/camel): Source code repository. - [Community](https://camel.apache.org/community/): Community resources and how to contribute.