diff --git a/.vscode/launch.json b/.vscode/launch.json
index 193903fc4..18b3b5721 100644
--- a/.vscode/launch.json
+++ b/.vscode/launch.json
@@ -5,20 +5,6 @@
 {
     "version": "0.2.0",
     "configurations": [
-        {
-            "name": "Generate for Todo Sample",
-            "program": "${workspaceFolder}/packages/schema/dist/bin/cli",
-            "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}/samples/todo/",
-            "args": [
-                "generate"
-            ],
-            "request": "launch",
-            "skipFiles": ["<node_internals>/**"],
-            "type": "node",
-            "env": {
-                "NODE_PATH": "${workspaceFolder}/samples/todo/node_modules"
-            }
-        },
         {
             "name": "Attach",
             "port": 9229,
@@ -42,13 +28,6 @@
             "skipFiles": ["<node_internals>/**"],
             "sourceMaps": true,
             "outFiles": ["${workspaceFolder}/packages/schema/bundle/**/*.js"]
-        },
-        {
-            "name": "Todo sample: debug server-side",
-            "type": "node-terminal",
-            "request": "launch",
-            "command": "pnpm dev",
-            "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}/samples/todo/"
         }
     ]
 }
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index bf04b29b5..41cb26e15 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ Our goal is to let you save time writing boilerplate code and focus on building
 
 ## How it works
 
+> Read full documentation at 👉🏻 [zenstack.dev](https://zenstack.dev).
+
 ZenStack incrementally extends Prisma's power with the following four layers:
 
 ### 1. ZModel - an extended Prisma schema language
@@ -181,7 +183,11 @@ Check out the [Collaborative Todo App](https://zenstack-todo.vercel.app/) for a
 
 ## Community
 
-Join our [discord server](https://go.zenstack.dev/chat) for chat and updates!
+Join our [discord server](https://discord.gg/Ykhr738dUe) for chat and updates!
+
+## Contributing
+
+If you like ZenStack, join us to make it a better tool! Please use the [Contributing Guide](CONTRIBUTING.md) for details on how to get started, and don't hesitate to join [Discord](https://discord.gg/Ykhr738dUe) to share your thoughts.
 
 ## License
 
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 5d00c9db1..ba5e02efa 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 {
     "name": "zenstack-monorepo",
-    "version": "1.0.0-beta.3",
+    "version": "1.0.0-beta.4",
     "description": "",
     "scripts": {
         "build": "pnpm -r build",
-        "test": "pnpm -r run test --silent",
-        "test-ci": "pnpm -r run test --silent",
+        "test": "ZENSTACK_TEST=1 pnpm -r run test --silent",
+        "test-ci": "ZENSTACK_TEST=1 pnpm -r run test --silent",
         "lint": "pnpm -r lint",
         "publish-all": "pnpm --filter \"./packages/**\" -r publish --access public",
         "publish-preview": "pnpm --filter \"./packages/**\" -r publish --registry http://localhost:4873"
diff --git a/packages/language/package.json b/packages/language/package.json
index 0ea67b480..1f1d217b0 100644
--- a/packages/language/package.json
+++ b/packages/language/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
     "name": "@zenstackhq/language",
-    "version": "1.0.0-beta.3",
+    "version": "1.0.0-beta.4",
     "displayName": "ZenStack modeling language compiler",
     "description": "ZenStack modeling language compiler",
     "homepage": "https://zenstack.dev",
diff --git a/packages/plugins/openapi/package.json b/packages/plugins/openapi/package.json
index ea92e19fc..4791eb354 100644
--- a/packages/plugins/openapi/package.json
+++ b/packages/plugins/openapi/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "@zenstackhq/openapi",
   "displayName": "ZenStack Plugin and Runtime for OpenAPI",
-  "version": "1.0.0-beta.3",
+  "version": "1.0.0-beta.4",
   "description": "ZenStack plugin and runtime supporting OpenAPI",
   "main": "index.js",
   "repository": {
diff --git a/packages/plugins/swr/package.json b/packages/plugins/swr/package.json
index ad39c1022..8d95d6831 100644
--- a/packages/plugins/swr/package.json
+++ b/packages/plugins/swr/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
     "name": "@zenstackhq/swr",
     "displayName": "ZenStack plugin for generating SWR hooks",
-    "version": "1.0.0-beta.3",
+    "version": "1.0.0-beta.4",
     "description": "ZenStack plugin for generating SWR hooks",
     "main": "index.js",
     "repository": {
diff --git a/packages/plugins/tanstack-query/package.json b/packages/plugins/tanstack-query/package.json
index c8b487d67..9cf4075ab 100644
--- a/packages/plugins/tanstack-query/package.json
+++ b/packages/plugins/tanstack-query/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
     "name": "@zenstackhq/tanstack-query",
     "displayName": "ZenStack plugin for generating tanstack-query hooks",
-    "version": "1.0.0-beta.3",
+    "version": "1.0.0-beta.4",
     "description": "ZenStack plugin for generating tanstack-query hooks",
     "main": "index.js",
     "repository": {
diff --git a/packages/plugins/trpc/package.json b/packages/plugins/trpc/package.json
index 632b03ecc..eedaca491 100644
--- a/packages/plugins/trpc/package.json
+++ b/packages/plugins/trpc/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
     "name": "@zenstackhq/trpc",
     "displayName": "ZenStack plugin for tRPC",
-    "version": "1.0.0-beta.3",
+    "version": "1.0.0-beta.4",
     "description": "ZenStack plugin for tRPC",
     "main": "index.js",
     "repository": {
diff --git a/packages/runtime/package.json b/packages/runtime/package.json
index 6a85ee5e8..4b07fe118 100644
--- a/packages/runtime/package.json
+++ b/packages/runtime/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
     "name": "@zenstackhq/runtime",
     "displayName": "ZenStack Runtime Library",
-    "version": "1.0.0-beta.3",
+    "version": "1.0.0-beta.4",
     "description": "Runtime of ZenStack for both client-side and server-side environments.",
     "repository": {
         "type": "git",
diff --git a/packages/runtime/src/enhancements/model-meta.ts b/packages/runtime/src/enhancements/model-meta.ts
index 0211304d7..8109bbacc 100644
--- a/packages/runtime/src/enhancements/model-meta.ts
+++ b/packages/runtime/src/enhancements/model-meta.ts
@@ -1,20 +1,24 @@
 /* eslint-disable @typescript-eslint/no-var-requires */
 import { lowerCaseFirst } from 'lower-case-first';
-import { ModelMeta } from './types';
 import path from 'path';
+import { ModelMeta } from './types';
 
 /**
  * Load model meta from standard location.
  */
 export function getDefaultModelMeta(): ModelMeta {
     try {
-        if (process.env.NODE_ENV === 'test') {
-            // handling the case when running as tests, resolve relative to CWD
-            return require(path.join(process.cwd(), 'node_modules', '.zenstack', 'model-meta'));
-        } else {
-            return require('.zenstack/model-meta').default;
-        }
+        // normal load
+        return require('.zenstack/model-meta').default;
     } catch {
+        if (process.env.ZENSTACK_TEST === '1') {
+            try {
+                // special handling for running as tests, try resolving relative to CWD
+                return require(path.join(process.cwd(), 'node_modules', '.zenstack', 'model-meta')).default;
+            } catch {
+                throw new Error('Model meta cannot be loaded. Please make sure "zenstack generate" has been run.');
+            }
+        }
         throw new Error('Model meta cannot be loaded. Please make sure "zenstack generate" has been run.');
     }
 }
diff --git a/packages/runtime/src/enhancements/policy/index.ts b/packages/runtime/src/enhancements/policy/index.ts
index 59c4fb453..1fbe249f1 100644
--- a/packages/runtime/src/enhancements/policy/index.ts
+++ b/packages/runtime/src/enhancements/policy/index.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
+/* eslint-disable @typescript-eslint/no-var-requires */
 /* eslint-disable @typescript-eslint/no-explicit-any */
 
+import path from 'path';
 import { AuthUser, DbClientContract } from '../../types';
 import { getDefaultModelMeta } from '../model-meta';
 import { makeProxy } from '../proxy';
@@ -74,9 +76,18 @@ export function withPolicy<DbClient extends object>(
 
 function getDefaultPolicy(): PolicyDef {
     try {
-        // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-var-requires
         return require('.zenstack/policy').default;
     } catch {
+        if (process.env.ZENSTACK_TEST === '1') {
+            try {
+                // special handling for running as tests, try resolving relative to CWD
+                return require(path.join(process.cwd(), 'node_modules', '.zenstack', 'policy')).default;
+            } catch {
+                throw new Error(
+                    'Policy definition cannot be loaded from default location. Please make sure "zenstack generate" has been run.'
+                );
+            }
+        }
         throw new Error(
             'Policy definition cannot be loaded from default location. Please make sure "zenstack generate" has been run.'
         );
@@ -88,6 +99,14 @@ function getDefaultZodSchemas(): ZodSchemas | undefined {
         // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-var-requires
         return require('.zenstack/zod');
     } catch {
+        if (process.env.ZENSTACK_TEST === '1') {
+            try {
+                // special handling for running as tests, try resolving relative to CWD
+                return require(path.join(process.cwd(), 'node_modules', '.zenstack', 'zod'));
+            } catch {
+                return undefined;
+            }
+        }
         return undefined;
     }
 }
diff --git a/packages/schema/package.json b/packages/schema/package.json
index dfb1666b2..4b56e0ef8 100644
--- a/packages/schema/package.json
+++ b/packages/schema/package.json
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
     "publisher": "zenstack",
     "displayName": "ZenStack Language Tools",
     "description": "A toolkit for building secure CRUD apps with Next.js + Typescript",
-    "version": "1.0.0-beta.3",
+    "version": "1.0.0-beta.4",
     "author": {
         "name": "ZenStack Team"
     },
diff --git a/packages/sdk/package.json b/packages/sdk/package.json
index e6512706e..5074646c7 100644
--- a/packages/sdk/package.json
+++ b/packages/sdk/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
     "name": "@zenstackhq/sdk",
-    "version": "1.0.0-beta.3",
+    "version": "1.0.0-beta.4",
     "description": "ZenStack plugin development SDK",
     "main": "index.js",
     "scripts": {
diff --git a/packages/sdk/src/utils.ts b/packages/sdk/src/utils.ts
index 3b26c01f1..edd0fa84e 100644
--- a/packages/sdk/src/utils.ts
+++ b/packages/sdk/src/utils.ts
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ export function getFunctionExpressionContext(funcDecl: FunctionDecl) {
     const funcAllowedContext: ExpressionContext[] = [];
     const funcAttr = funcDecl.attributes.find((attr) => attr.decl.$refText === '@@@expressionContext');
     if (funcAttr) {
-        const contextArg = getAttributeArg(funcAttr, 'context');
+        const contextArg = funcAttr.args[0].value;
         if (isArrayExpr(contextArg)) {
             contextArg.items.forEach((item) => {
                 if (isEnumFieldReference(item)) {
diff --git a/packages/server/package.json b/packages/server/package.json
index 7a12d27da..fd71504f8 100644
--- a/packages/server/package.json
+++ b/packages/server/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
     "name": "@zenstackhq/server",
-    "version": "1.0.0-beta.3",
+    "version": "1.0.0-beta.4",
     "displayName": "ZenStack Server-side Adapters",
     "description": "ZenStack server-side adapters",
     "homepage": "https://zenstack.dev",
diff --git a/packages/server/src/express/middleware.ts b/packages/server/src/express/middleware.ts
index 71a1c6ea0..492004a66 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/express/middleware.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/express/middleware.ts
@@ -14,6 +14,17 @@ export interface MiddlewareOptions extends AdapterBaseOptions {
      * Callback for getting a PrismaClient for the given request
      */
     getPrisma: (req: Request, res: Response) => unknown | Promise<unknown>;
+
+    /**
+     * Controls if the middleware directly sends a response. If set to false,
+     * the response is stored in the `res.locals` object and then the middleware
+     * calls the `next()` function to pass the control to the next middleware.
+     * Subsequent middleware or request handlers need to make sure to send
+     * a response.
+     *
+     * Defaults to true;
+     */
+    sendResponse?: boolean;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -33,13 +44,18 @@ const factory = (options: MiddlewareOptions): Handler => {
     const requestHandler = options.handler || RPCAPIHandler();
     const useSuperJson = options.useSuperJson === true;
 
-    return async (request, response) => {
+    return async (request, response, next) => {
         const prisma = (await options.getPrisma(request, response)) as DbClientContract;
+        const { sendResponse } = options;
+
+        if (sendResponse === false && !prisma) {
+            throw new Error('unable to get prisma from request context');
+        }
+
         if (!prisma) {
-            response
+            return response
                 .status(500)
                 .json(marshalToObject({ message: 'unable to get prisma from request context' }, useSuperJson));
-            return;
         }
 
         let query: Record<string, string | string[]> = {};
@@ -56,8 +72,10 @@ const factory = (options: MiddlewareOptions): Handler => {
             }
             query = buildUrlQuery(rawQuery, useSuperJson);
         } catch {
-            response.status(400).json(marshalToObject({ message: 'invalid query parameters' }, useSuperJson));
-            return;
+            if (sendResponse === false) {
+                throw new Error('invalid query parameters');
+            }
+            return response.status(400).json(marshalToObject({ message: 'invalid query parameters' }, useSuperJson));
         }
 
         try {
@@ -71,9 +89,20 @@ const factory = (options: MiddlewareOptions): Handler => {
                 zodSchemas,
                 logger: options.logger,
             });
-            response.status(r.status).json(marshalToObject(r.body, useSuperJson));
+            if (sendResponse === false) {
+                // attach response and pass control to the next middleware
+                response.locals = {
+                    status: r.status,
+                    body: r.body,
+                };
+                return next();
+            }
+            return response.status(r.status).json(marshalToObject(r.body, useSuperJson));
         } catch (err) {
-            response
+            if (sendResponse === false) {
+                throw err;
+            }
+            return response
                 .status(500)
                 .json(marshalToObject({ message: `An unhandled error occurred: ${err}` }, useSuperJson));
         }
diff --git a/packages/server/tests/adapter/express.test.ts b/packages/server/tests/adapter/express.test.ts
index df96ec7a2..7121edcf9 100644
--- a/packages/server/tests/adapter/express.test.ts
+++ b/packages/server/tests/adapter/express.test.ts
@@ -251,3 +251,30 @@ describe('Express adapter tests - rest handler', () => {
         expect(await prisma.user.findMany()).toHaveLength(0);
     });
 });
+
+describe('Express adapter tests - rest handler with customMiddleware', () => {
+    it('run middleware', async () => {
+        const { prisma, zodSchemas, modelMeta } = await loadSchema(schema);
+
+        const app = express();
+        app.use(bodyParser.json());
+        app.use(
+            '/api',
+            ZenStackMiddleware({
+                getPrisma: () => prisma,
+                modelMeta,
+                zodSchemas,
+                handler: RESTAPIHandler({ endpoint: 'http://localhost/api' }),
+                sendResponse: false,
+            })
+        );
+
+        app.use((req, res) => {
+            res.status(res.locals.status).json({ message: res.locals.body });
+        });
+
+        const r = await request(app).get(makeUrl('/api/post/1'));
+        expect(r.status).toBe(404);
+        expect(r.body.message).toHaveProperty('errors');
+    });
+});
diff --git a/packages/testtools/package.json b/packages/testtools/package.json
index e882cc664..90dc5302c 100644
--- a/packages/testtools/package.json
+++ b/packages/testtools/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@zenstackhq/testtools",
-  "version": "1.0.0-beta.3",
+  "version": "1.0.0-beta.4",
   "description": "ZenStack Test Tools",
   "main": "index.js",
   "publishConfig": {
diff --git a/tests/integration/test-run/package-lock.json b/tests/integration/test-run/package-lock.json
index df60b97df..453ba7693 100644
--- a/tests/integration/test-run/package-lock.json
+++ b/tests/integration/test-run/package-lock.json
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@
         },
         "../../../packages/runtime/dist": {
             "name": "@zenstackhq/runtime",
-            "version": "1.0.0-beta.3",
+            "version": "1.0.0-beta.4",
             "license": "MIT",
             "dependencies": {
                 "@paralleldrive/cuid2": "^2.2.0",
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@
         },
         "../../../packages/schema/dist": {
             "name": "zenstack",
-            "version": "1.0.0-beta.3",
+            "version": "1.0.0-beta.4",
             "hasInstallScript": true,
             "license": "MIT",
             "dependencies": {