Rack middleware for request/response processing

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Rack middleware processes HTTP requests/responses in Rails' stack. Middleware sits between web server and application, modifying requests before they reach controllers. I build custom middleware for logging, authentication, rate limiting, request modification. Middleware follows simple interface—call(env) returns [status, headers, body]. Each middleware can pass requests down the stack with @app.call(env). Rails includes middleware for cookies, sessions, logging, static files. Middleware order matters—authentication must run before authorization. Inserting custom middleware at the right position is crucial. Middleware enables cross-cutting concerns without polluting controllers. Understanding Rack unlocks building custom HTTP processing layers and debugging Rails internals.