diff --git a/examples/vercel/.gitignore b/examples/vercel/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4ad5857fb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/vercel/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+# Dependencies
+node_modules
+
+# Build outputs
+dist
+api/_handler.js
+api/_handler.js.map
+
+# Environment variables
+.env
+.env.local
+.env.production
+
+# Vercel
+.vercel
+
+# OS
+.DS_Store
diff --git a/examples/vercel/.npmrc b/examples/vercel/.npmrc
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a5b48589f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/vercel/.npmrc
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# pnpm configuration for Vercel deployment
+# Use hoisted node_modules to avoid symlink issues in serverless functions
+node-linker=hoisted
diff --git a/examples/vercel/README.md b/examples/vercel/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3cd77b9b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/vercel/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,164 @@
+# Vercel Deployment Example
+
+Deploy an ObjectStack server with Hono to Vercel.
+
+## Features
+
+- ✅ Hono adapter for fast, edge-compatible API routes
+- ✅ Turso/LibSQL database driver with in-memory fallback
+- ✅ Authentication with better-auth
+- ✅ Security plugin for RBAC
+- ✅ Optimized serverless function bundling with esbuild
+- ✅ Environment-based configuration
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+1. A [Vercel](https://vercel.com) account
+2. A [Turso](https://turso.tech) database (optional, uses in-memory storage if not configured)
+
+## Local Development
+
+```bash
+# Install dependencies (from monorepo root)
+pnpm install
+
+# Start local development server
+cd examples/vercel
+pnpm dev
+```
+
+The server will be available at `http://localhost:3000/api/v1`.
+
+## Deployment to Vercel
+
+### Option 1: Deploy via Vercel CLI
+
+```bash
+# Install Vercel CLI
+npm i -g vercel
+
+# Deploy from the examples/vercel directory
+cd examples/vercel
+vercel
+```
+
+### Option 2: Deploy via Vercel Dashboard
+
+1. Import your GitHub repository in the [Vercel Dashboard](https://vercel.com/new)
+2. Set the **Root Directory** to `examples/vercel`
+3. Configure environment variables (see below)
+4. Click **Deploy**
+
+## Environment Variables
+
+Configure these in your Vercel project settings:
+
+| Variable | Description | Required | Example |
+|----------|-------------|----------|---------|
+| `TURSO_DATABASE_URL` | Turso database connection URL | No* | `libsql://your-db.turso.io` |
+| `TURSO_AUTH_TOKEN` | Turso authentication token | No* | `eyJ...` |
+| `AUTH_SECRET` | Secret key for authentication (min 32 chars) | Yes | Generate with `openssl rand -base64 32` |
+
+*If not set, the server will use an in-memory database (data will be lost on restart).
+
+### Setting up Turso Database
+
+```bash
+# Install Turso CLI
+curl -sSfL https://get.tur.so/install.sh | bash
+
+# Create a new database
+turso db create objectstack-vercel
+
+# Get the database URL
+turso db show objectstack-vercel --url
+
+# Create an auth token
+turso db tokens create objectstack-vercel
+
+# Add both values to Vercel environment variables
+```
+
+## Project Structure
+
+```
+examples/vercel/
+├── api/
+│   └── [[...route]].js       # Vercel serverless function entry point
+├── scripts/
+│   ├── bundle-api.mjs         # esbuild bundler for serverless function
+│   └── build-vercel.sh        # Vercel build script
+├── server/
+│   └── index.ts               # Server entrypoint with kernel bootstrap
+├── objectstack.config.ts      # ObjectStack configuration
+├── package.json
+├── tsconfig.json
+├── vercel.json                # Vercel deployment configuration
+└── README.md
+```
+
+## How It Works
+
+1. **Build Step**: `scripts/build-vercel.sh` runs on Vercel, which:
+   - Builds the monorepo using turbo
+   - Bundles `server/index.ts` → `api/_handler.js` using esbuild
+
+2. **Runtime**: Vercel routes requests to `api/[[...route]].js`, which:
+   - Lazily boots the ObjectStack kernel on first request
+   - Delegates to the Hono adapter for request handling
+   - Persists kernel state across warm invocations
+
+3. **Database**:
+   - Production: Uses Turso (edge-compatible LibSQL)
+   - Local dev: Falls back to in-memory driver
+
+## API Routes
+
+All ObjectStack API routes are available under `/api/v1`:
+
+- `GET /api/v1/meta` - Metadata discovery
+- `GET /api/v1/data/:object` - Query data
+- `POST /api/v1/data/:object` - Insert records
+- `PATCH /api/v1/data/:object/:id` - Update records
+- `DELETE /api/v1/data/:object/:id` - Delete records
+- `POST /api/v1/auth/sign-in` - Authentication
+- And more...
+
+## Testing the Deployment
+
+```bash
+# Health check
+curl https://your-deployment.vercel.app/api/v1/meta
+
+# Example API request (after authentication)
+curl https://your-deployment.vercel.app/api/v1/data/users \
+  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN"
+```
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Build fails with "Module not found"
+
+Make sure you're running the build from the monorepo root, or that Vercel's `installCommand` is set correctly in `vercel.json`.
+
+### Database connection issues
+
+- Verify `TURSO_DATABASE_URL` and `TURSO_AUTH_TOKEN` are set correctly
+- Check Turso database is accessible from Vercel's network
+- For debugging, you can temporarily use `:memory:` as the database URL
+
+### Cold start timeout
+
+- Increase `maxDuration` in `vercel.json` if needed
+- Consider using Vercel Pro for higher limits
+
+## Learn More
+
+- [ObjectStack Documentation](https://docs.objectstack.dev)
+- [Hono Vercel Deployment Guide](https://vercel.com/docs/frameworks/backend/hono)
+- [Turso Documentation](https://docs.turso.tech)
+- [Vercel Serverless Functions](https://vercel.com/docs/functions/serverless-functions)
+
+## License
+
+Apache-2.0
diff --git a/examples/vercel/api/[[...route]].js b/examples/vercel/api/[[...route]].js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..648a4bbce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/vercel/api/[[...route]].js
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+// Vercel Serverless Function — Catch-all API route.
+//
+// This file MUST be committed to the repository so Vercel can detect it
+// as a serverless function during the pre-build phase.
+//
+// It delegates to the esbuild bundle (`_handler.js`) generated by
+// `scripts/bundle-api.mjs` during the Vercel build step.
+
+export { default, config } from './_handler.js';
diff --git a/examples/vercel/objectstack.config.ts b/examples/vercel/objectstack.config.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8410ec576
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/vercel/objectstack.config.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2025 ObjectStack. Licensed under the Apache-2.0 license.
+
+import { defineStack } from '@objectstack/spec';
+import { AppPlugin, DriverPlugin } from '@objectstack/runtime';
+import { ObjectQLPlugin } from '@objectstack/objectql';
+import { TursoDriver } from '@objectstack/driver-turso';
+import { InMemoryDriver } from '@objectstack/driver-memory';
+import { AuthPlugin } from '@objectstack/plugin-auth';
+import { SecurityPlugin } from '@objectstack/plugin-security';
+import { MetadataPlugin } from '@objectstack/metadata';
+
+/**
+ * Vercel Deployment Example
+ *
+ * This example demonstrates how to deploy an ObjectStack server to Vercel
+ * using the Hono adapter. It includes:
+ *
+ * - TursoDriver for production (with fallback to in-memory for local dev)
+ * - Authentication with better-auth (environment-based configuration)
+ * - Security plugin for RBAC
+ * - Metadata plugin for runtime metadata management
+ *
+ * Environment Variables (set in Vercel dashboard or .env.local):
+ * - TURSO_DATABASE_URL: Turso database connection URL (or ":memory:" for local)
+ * - TURSO_AUTH_TOKEN: Turso authentication token (optional for local)
+ * - AUTH_SECRET: Secret key for authentication (min 32 characters)
+ * - VERCEL_URL: Auto-injected by Vercel (deployment URL)
+ * - VERCEL_PROJECT_PRODUCTION_URL: Auto-injected by Vercel (production URL)
+ */
+
+// Determine if we're running in production (Vercel) or local dev
+const isProduction = process.env.VERCEL === '1';
+
+// Database driver: Use Turso in production, in-memory for local dev
+const driver = isProduction || process.env.TURSO_DATABASE_URL
+  ? new TursoDriver({
+      url: process.env.TURSO_DATABASE_URL ?? ':memory:',
+      ...(process.env.TURSO_AUTH_TOKEN && { authToken: process.env.TURSO_AUTH_TOKEN }),
+    })
+  : new InMemoryDriver();
+
+// Base URL for authentication (auto-detected from Vercel environment)
+const baseUrl = process.env.VERCEL_PROJECT_PRODUCTION_URL
+  ? `https://${process.env.VERCEL_PROJECT_PRODUCTION_URL}`
+  : process.env.VERCEL_URL
+    ? `https://${process.env.VERCEL_URL}`
+    : 'http://localhost:3000';
+
+// Collect trusted origins for CORS and CSRF protection
+function getVercelOrigins(): string[] {
+  const origins: string[] = [];
+  if (process.env.VERCEL_URL) {
+    origins.push(`https://${process.env.VERCEL_URL}`);
+  }
+  if (process.env.VERCEL_BRANCH_URL) {
+    origins.push(`https://${process.env.VERCEL_BRANCH_URL}`);
+  }
+  if (process.env.VERCEL_PROJECT_PRODUCTION_URL) {
+    origins.push(`https://${process.env.VERCEL_PROJECT_PRODUCTION_URL}`);
+  }
+  return origins;
+}
+
+const trustedOrigins = getVercelOrigins();
+
+export default defineStack({
+  manifest: {
+    id: 'com.example.vercel',
+    namespace: 'vercel',
+    name: 'Vercel Deployment Example',
+    version: '1.0.0',
+    description: 'Example application demonstrating Hono deployment to Vercel',
+    type: 'app',
+  },
+
+  // Core plugins required for a functional ObjectStack server
+  plugins: [
+    new ObjectQLPlugin(),
+    new DriverPlugin(driver),
+    new AuthPlugin({
+      secret: process.env.AUTH_SECRET ?? 'dev-secret-please-change-in-production-min-32-chars',
+      baseUrl,
+      ...(trustedOrigins.length > 0 ? { trustedOrigins } : {}),
+    }),
+    new SecurityPlugin(),
+    new MetadataPlugin({ watch: false }), // Disable file watching on Vercel
+  ],
+});
diff --git a/examples/vercel/package.json b/examples/vercel/package.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7dbdd64b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/vercel/package.json
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+{
+  "name": "@example/vercel",
+  "version": "4.0.3",
+  "description": "Example: Deploy ObjectStack server with Hono to Vercel",
+  "license": "Apache-2.0",
+  "private": true,
+  "type": "module",
+  "scripts": {
+    "dev": "hono dev",
+    "build": "bash scripts/build-vercel.sh",
+    "typecheck": "tsc --noEmit"
+  },
+  "dependencies": {
+    "@hono/node-server": "^1.19.14",
+    "@objectstack/core": "workspace:*",
+    "@objectstack/driver-memory": "workspace:*",
+    "@objectstack/driver-turso": "workspace:*",
+    "@objectstack/hono": "workspace:*",
+    "@objectstack/metadata": "workspace:*",
+    "@objectstack/objectql": "workspace:*",
+    "@objectstack/plugin-auth": "workspace:*",
+    "@objectstack/plugin-security": "workspace:*",
+    "@objectstack/runtime": "workspace:*",
+    "@objectstack/spec": "workspace:*",
+    "hono": "^4.12.12"
+  },
+  "devDependencies": {
+    "@types/node": "^22.14.3",
+    "esbuild": "^0.28.0",
+    "typescript": "^6.0.2"
+  }
+}
diff --git a/examples/vercel/scripts/build-vercel.sh b/examples/vercel/scripts/build-vercel.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..23523d909
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/vercel/scripts/build-vercel.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+# Build script for Vercel deployment of ObjectStack server with Hono.
+#
+# This script:
+#   1. Builds the monorepo from the root using turbo
+#   2. Bundles the serverless function using esbuild
+#
+# The bundled function is self-contained and ready for Vercel deployment.
+
+echo "[build-vercel] Starting build..."
+
+# 1. Build the monorepo from the root
+cd ../..
+pnpm turbo run build --filter=@example/vercel
+cd examples/vercel
+
+# 2. Bundle API serverless function
+node scripts/bundle-api.mjs
+
+echo "[build-vercel] Done. Serverless function ready at api/_handler.js"
diff --git a/examples/vercel/scripts/bundle-api.mjs b/examples/vercel/scripts/bundle-api.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..abc29b4bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/vercel/scripts/bundle-api.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+/**
+ * Pre-bundles the Vercel serverless API function.
+ *
+ * This script bundles server/index.ts with dependencies inlined,
+ * creating a self-contained serverless function for Vercel deployment.
+ *
+ * Native packages like better-sqlite3 are kept external and will be
+ * packaged separately by Vercel.
+ */
+
+import { build } from 'esbuild';
+
+// Packages that cannot be bundled (native bindings / optional drivers)
+const EXTERNAL = [
+  'better-sqlite3',
+  '@libsql/client',
+  // Optional knex database drivers
+  'pg',
+  'pg-native',
+  'pg-query-stream',
+  'mysql',
+  'mysql2',
+  'sqlite3',
+  'oracledb',
+  'tedious',
+  // macOS-only native file watcher
+  'fsevents',
+];
+
+await build({
+  entryPoints: ['server/index.ts'],
+  bundle: true,
+  platform: 'node',
+  format: 'esm',
+  target: 'es2020',
+  outfile: 'api/_handler.js',
+  sourcemap: true,
+  external: EXTERNAL,
+  logOverride: { 'require-resolve-not-external': 'silent' },
+  banner: {
+    js: [
+      '// Bundled by esbuild — see scripts/bundle-api.mjs',
+      'import { createRequire } from "module";',
+      'const require = createRequire(import.meta.url);',
+    ].join('\n'),
+  },
+});
+
+console.log('[bundle-api] Bundled server/index.ts → api/_handler.js');
diff --git a/examples/vercel/server/index.ts b/examples/vercel/server/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..297bcc2ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/vercel/server/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,198 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2025 ObjectStack. Licensed under the Apache-2.0 license.
+
+/**
+ * Vercel Serverless API Entrypoint
+ *
+ * This module boots the ObjectStack kernel on the first request and
+ * delegates all /api/* traffic to the ObjectStack Hono adapter.
+ *
+ * The kernel is initialized lazily (singleton pattern) and persists
+ * across warm invocations for better performance.
+ *
+ * Uses `getRequestListener()` from `@hono/node-server` to handle
+ * Vercel's pre-buffered request body (see extractBody helper).
+ */
+
+import { ObjectKernel } from '@objectstack/runtime';
+import { createHonoApp } from '@objectstack/hono';
+import { getRequestListener } from '@hono/node-server';
+import type { Hono } from 'hono';
+import config from '../objectstack.config.js';
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Singleton state — persists across warm Vercel invocations
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+let _kernel: ObjectKernel | null = null;
+let _app: Hono | null = null;
+
+/** Shared boot promise — prevents concurrent cold-start races. */
+let _bootPromise: Promise<ObjectKernel> | null = null;
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Kernel bootstrap
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/**
+ * Boot the ObjectStack kernel (one-time cold-start cost).
+ *
+ * Uses a shared promise so that concurrent requests during a cold start
+ * wait for the same boot sequence rather than starting duplicates.
+ */
+async function ensureKernel(): Promise<ObjectKernel> {
+  if (_kernel) return _kernel;
+  if (_bootPromise) return _bootPromise;
+
+  _bootPromise = (async () => {
+    console.log('[Vercel] Booting ObjectStack Kernel...');
+
+    try {
+      const kernel = new ObjectKernel();
+
+      // Load plugins from config
+      if (config.plugins) {
+        for (const plugin of config.plugins) {
+          await kernel.use(plugin);
+        }
+      }
+
+      await kernel.bootstrap();
+
+      _kernel = kernel;
+      console.log('[Vercel] Kernel ready.');
+      return kernel;
+    } catch (err) {
+      // Clear the lock so the next request can retry
+      _bootPromise = null;
+      console.error('[Vercel] Kernel boot failed:', (err as any)?.message || err);
+      throw err;
+    }
+  })();
+
+  return _bootPromise;
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Hono app factory
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/**
+ * Get (or create) the Hono application backed by the ObjectStack kernel.
+ */
+async function ensureApp(): Promise<Hono> {
+  if (_app) return _app;
+
+  const kernel = await ensureKernel();
+  _app = createHonoApp({ kernel, prefix: '/api/v1' });
+  return _app;
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Body extraction — reads Vercel's pre-buffered request body
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/** Shape of the Vercel-augmented IncomingMessage passed via `env.incoming`. */
+interface VercelIncomingMessage {
+  rawBody?: Buffer | string;
+  body?: unknown;
+  headers?: Record<string, string | string[] | undefined>;
+}
+
+/** Shape of the env object provided by `getRequestListener` on Vercel. */
+interface VercelEnv {
+  incoming?: VercelIncomingMessage;
+}
+
+function extractBody(
+  incoming: VercelIncomingMessage,
+  method: string,
+  contentType: string | undefined,
+): BodyInit | null {
+  if (method === 'GET' || method === 'HEAD' || method === 'OPTIONS') return null;
+
+  if (incoming.rawBody != null) {
+    return incoming.rawBody;
+  }
+
+  if (incoming.body != null) {
+    if (typeof incoming.body === 'string') return incoming.body;
+    if (contentType?.includes('application/json')) return JSON.stringify(incoming.body);
+    return String(incoming.body);
+  }
+
+  return null;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Derive the correct public URL for the request, fixing the protocol when
+ * running behind a reverse proxy such as Vercel's edge network.
+ */
+function resolvePublicUrl(
+  requestUrl: string,
+  incoming: VercelIncomingMessage | undefined,
+): string {
+  if (!incoming) return requestUrl;
+  const fwdProto = incoming.headers?.['x-forwarded-proto'];
+  const rawProto = Array.isArray(fwdProto) ? fwdProto[0] : fwdProto;
+  const proto = rawProto === 'https' || rawProto === 'http' ? rawProto : undefined;
+  if (proto === 'https' && requestUrl.startsWith('http:')) {
+    return requestUrl.replace(/^http:/, 'https:');
+  }
+  return requestUrl;
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Vercel serverless handler
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+export default getRequestListener(async (request, env) => {
+  let app: Hono;
+  try {
+    app = await ensureApp();
+  } catch (err: unknown) {
+    const message = err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err);
+    console.error('[Vercel] Handler error — bootstrap did not complete:', message);
+    return new Response(
+      JSON.stringify({
+        success: false,
+        error: {
+          message: 'Service Unavailable — kernel bootstrap failed.',
+          code: 503,
+        },
+      }),
+      { status: 503, headers: { 'content-type': 'application/json' } },
+    );
+  }
+
+  const method = request.method.toUpperCase();
+  const incoming = (env as VercelEnv)?.incoming;
+
+  // Fix URL protocol using x-forwarded-proto
+  const url = resolvePublicUrl(request.url, incoming);
+
+  console.log(`[Vercel] ${method} ${url}`);
+
+  if (method !== 'GET' && method !== 'HEAD' && method !== 'OPTIONS' && incoming) {
+    const contentType = incoming.headers?.['content-type'];
+    const contentTypeStr = Array.isArray(contentType) ? contentType[0] : contentType;
+    const body = extractBody(incoming, method, contentTypeStr);
+    if (body != null) {
+      return await app.fetch(
+        new Request(url, { method, headers: request.headers, body }),
+      );
+    }
+  }
+
+  // For GET/HEAD/OPTIONS (or body-less requests)
+  return await app.fetch(
+    new Request(url, { method, headers: request.headers }),
+  );
+});
+
+/**
+ * Vercel per-function configuration.
+ */
+export const config = {
+  memory: 1024,
+  maxDuration: 60,
+};
diff --git a/examples/vercel/tsconfig.json b/examples/vercel/tsconfig.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..52c0b1d0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/vercel/tsconfig.json
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+{
+  "compilerOptions": {
+    "target": "ES2020",
+    "module": "ESNext",
+    "lib": ["ES2020"],
+    "moduleResolution": "bundler",
+    "esModuleInterop": true,
+    "skipLibCheck": true,
+    "strict": true,
+    "resolveJsonModule": true,
+    "isolatedModules": true,
+    "noEmit": true,
+    "types": ["node"]
+  },
+  "include": ["**/*.ts", "**/*.mjs"],
+  "exclude": ["node_modules", "dist", "api/_handler.js"]
+}
diff --git a/examples/vercel/vercel.json b/examples/vercel/vercel.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7c2d6eca0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/vercel/vercel.json
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+{
+  "$schema": "https://openapi.vercel.sh/vercel.json",
+  "framework": null,
+  "installCommand": "cd ../.. && pnpm install",
+  "buildCommand": "bash scripts/build-vercel.sh",
+  "functions": {
+    "api/**/*.js": {
+      "memory": 1024,
+      "maxDuration": 60
+    }
+  },
+  "rewrites": [
+    { "source": "/api/:path*", "destination": "/api/[[...route]]" }
+  ]
+}