diff --git a/.github/workflows/bench.yml b/.github/workflows/bench.yml
index 828d62561..a4b54ca7a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/bench.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/bench.yml
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 name: Benchmark
 
 on:
-  pull_request:
-    types: [opened, synchronize, reopened]
   push:
     branches:
       - master
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci-master.yml b/.github/workflows/ci-master.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b78617dc5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci-master.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+name: CI (master only)
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [master]
+
+jobs:
+  build_and_test_nightly:
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        target:
+          - { name: Linux, os: ubuntu-latest, triple: x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu }
+          - { name: macOS, os: macos-latest, triple: x86_64-apple-darwin }
+          - { name: Windows, os: windows-2022, triple: x86_64-pc-windows-msvc }
+        version:
+          - nightly
+
+    name: ${{ matrix.target.name }} / ${{ matrix.version }}
+    runs-on: ${{ matrix.target.os }}
+
+    env:
+      CI: 1
+      CARGO_INCREMENTAL: 0
+      VCPKGRS_DYNAMIC: 1
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v2
+
+      # install OpenSSL on Windows
+      # TODO: GitHub actions docs state that OpenSSL is
+      # already installed on these Windows machines somewhere
+      - name: Set vcpkg root
+        if: matrix.target.triple == 'x86_64-pc-windows-msvc'
+        run: echo "VCPKG_ROOT=$env:VCPKG_INSTALLATION_ROOT" | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_ENV -Append
+      - name: Install OpenSSL
+        if: matrix.target.triple == 'x86_64-pc-windows-msvc'
+        run: vcpkg install openssl:x64-windows
+
+      - name: Install ${{ matrix.version }}
+        uses: actions-rs/toolchain@v1
+        with:
+          toolchain: ${{ matrix.version }}-${{ matrix.target.triple }}
+          profile: minimal
+          override: true
+
+      - name: Generate Cargo.lock
+        uses: actions-rs/cargo@v1
+        with: { command: generate-lockfile }
+      - name: Cache Dependencies
+        uses: Swatinem/rust-cache@v1.2.0
+
+      - name: Install cargo-hack
+        uses: actions-rs/cargo@v1
+        with:
+          command: install
+          args: cargo-hack
+
+      - name: check minimal
+        uses: actions-rs/cargo@v1
+        with: { command: ci-check-min }
+
+      - name: check default
+        uses: actions-rs/cargo@v1
+        with: { command: ci-check-default }
+
+      - name: tests
+        timeout-minutes: 60
+        run: |
+          cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-router --all-features
+          cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-http --all-features
+          cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-web --features=rustls,openssl -- --skip=test_reading_deflate_encoding_large_random_rustls
+          cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-web-codegen --all-features
+          cargo test --lib --tests -p=awc --all-features
+          cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-http-test --all-features
+          cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-test --all-features
+          cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-files
+          cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-multipart --all-features
+          cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-web-actors --all-features
+
+      - name: tests (io-uring)
+        if: matrix.target.os == 'ubuntu-latest'
+        timeout-minutes: 60
+        run: >
+          sudo bash -c "ulimit -Sl 512
+          && ulimit -Hl 512
+          && PATH=$PATH:/usr/share/rust/.cargo/bin
+          && RUSTUP_TOOLCHAIN=${{ matrix.version }} cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-files --all-features"
+
+      - name: Clear the cargo caches
+        run: |
+          cargo install cargo-cache --version 0.6.3 --no-default-features --features ci-autoclean
+          cargo-cache
+
+  ci_feature_powerset_check:
+    name: Verify Feature Combinations
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v2
+
+      - name: Install stable
+        uses: actions-rs/toolchain@v1
+        with:
+          toolchain: stable-x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu
+          profile: minimal
+          override: true
+
+      - name: Generate Cargo.lock
+        uses: actions-rs/cargo@v1
+        with: { command: generate-lockfile }
+      - name: Cache Dependencies
+        uses: Swatinem/rust-cache@v1.2.0
+
+      - name: Install cargo-hack
+        uses: actions-rs/cargo@v1
+        with:
+          command: install
+          args: cargo-hack
+
+      - name: check feature combinations
+        uses: actions-rs/cargo@v1
+        with: { command: ci-check-all-feature-powerset }
+      
+      - name: check feature combinations
+        uses: actions-rs/cargo@v1
+        with: { command: ci-check-all-feature-powerset-linux }
+
+  coverage:
+    name: coverage
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v2
+
+      - name: Install stable
+        uses: actions-rs/toolchain@v1
+        with:
+          toolchain: stable-x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu
+          profile: minimal
+          override: true
+
+      - name: Generate Cargo.lock
+        uses: actions-rs/cargo@v1
+        with: { command: generate-lockfile }
+      - name: Cache Dependencies
+        uses: Swatinem/rust-cache@v1.2.0
+
+      - name: Generate coverage file
+        run: |
+          cargo install cargo-tarpaulin --vers "^0.13"
+          cargo tarpaulin --workspace --features=rustls,openssl --out Xml --verbose
+      - name: Upload to Codecov
+        uses: codecov/codecov-action@v1
+        with: { file: cobertura.xml }
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index d9b98a7b8..f41aa972f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -16,9 +16,8 @@ jobs:
           - { name: macOS, os: macos-latest, triple: x86_64-apple-darwin }
           - { name: Windows, os: windows-2022, triple: x86_64-pc-windows-msvc }
         version:
-          - 1.52.0 # MSRV
+          - 1.54.0 # MSRV
           - stable
-          - nightly
 
     name: ${{ matrix.target.name }} / ${{ matrix.version }}
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.target.os }}
@@ -96,68 +95,6 @@ jobs:
           cargo install cargo-cache --version 0.6.3 --no-default-features --features ci-autoclean
           cargo-cache
 
-  ci_feature_powerset_check:
-    name: Verify Feature Combinations
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v2
-
-      - name: Install stable
-        uses: actions-rs/toolchain@v1
-        with:
-          toolchain: stable-x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu
-          profile: minimal
-          override: true
-
-      - name: Generate Cargo.lock
-        uses: actions-rs/cargo@v1
-        with: { command: generate-lockfile }
-      - name: Cache Dependencies
-        uses: Swatinem/rust-cache@v1.2.0
-
-      - name: Install cargo-hack
-        uses: actions-rs/cargo@v1
-        with:
-          command: install
-          args: cargo-hack
-
-      - name: check feature combinations
-        uses: actions-rs/cargo@v1
-        with: { command: ci-check-all-feature-powerset }
-      
-      - name: check feature combinations
-        uses: actions-rs/cargo@v1
-        with: { command: ci-check-all-feature-powerset-linux }
-
-  coverage:
-    name: coverage
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v2
-
-      - name: Install stable
-        uses: actions-rs/toolchain@v1
-        with:
-          toolchain: stable-x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu
-          profile: minimal
-          override: true
-
-      - name: Generate Cargo.lock
-        uses: actions-rs/cargo@v1
-        with: { command: generate-lockfile }
-      - name: Cache Dependencies
-        uses: Swatinem/rust-cache@v1.2.0
-
-      - name: Generate coverage file
-        if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/master'
-        run: |
-          cargo install cargo-tarpaulin --vers "^0.13"
-          cargo tarpaulin --workspace --features=rustls,openssl --out Xml --verbose
-      - name: Upload to Codecov
-        if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/master'
-        uses: codecov/codecov-action@v1
-        with: { file: cobertura.xml }
-
   rustdoc:
     name: doc tests
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
diff --git a/.github/workflows/clippy-fmt.yml b/.github/workflows/clippy-fmt.yml
index 957256d32..9fcb0a561 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/clippy-fmt.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/clippy-fmt.yml
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ jobs:
         uses: actions-rs/toolchain@v1
         with:
           toolchain: stable
+          profile: minimal
           components: rustfmt
       - name: Check with rustfmt
         uses: actions-rs/cargo@v1
@@ -30,10 +31,18 @@ jobs:
         uses: actions-rs/toolchain@v1
         with:
           toolchain: stable
+          profile: minimal
           components: clippy
           override: true
+
+      - name: Generate Cargo.lock
+        uses: actions-rs/cargo@v1
+        with: { command: generate-lockfile }
+      - name: Cache Dependencies
+        uses: Swatinem/rust-cache@v1.2.0
+
       - name: Check with Clippy
         uses: actions-rs/clippy-check@v1
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
-          args: --workspace --all-features --tests
+          args: --workspace --tests --examples --all-features
diff --git a/CHANGES.md b/CHANGES.md
index 8e030819f..fa4feab6e 100644
--- a/CHANGES.md
+++ b/CHANGES.md
@@ -3,6 +3,88 @@
 ## Unreleased - 2021-xx-xx
 
 
+## 4.0.0-beta.20 - 2022-01-14
+### Added
+- `GuardContext::header` [#2569]
+- `ServiceConfig::configure` to allow easy nesting of configuration functions. [#1988]
+
+### Changed
+- `HttpResponse` can now be used as a `Responder` with any body type. [#2567]
+- `Result` extractor wrapper can now convert error types. [#2581]
+- Associated types in `FromRequest` impl for `Option` and `Result` has changed. [#2581]
+- Maximum number of handler extractors has increased to 12. [#2582]
+- Removed bound `<B as MessageBody>::Error: Debug` in test utility functions in order to support returning opaque apps. [#2584]
+
+[#1988]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/1988
+[#2567]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2567
+[#2569]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2569
+[#2581]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2581
+[#2582]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2582
+[#2584]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2584
+
+
+## 4.0.0-beta.19 - 2022-01-04
+### Added
+- `impl Hash` for `http::header::Encoding`. [#2501]
+- `AcceptEncoding::negotiate()`. [#2501]
+
+### Changed
+- `AcceptEncoding::preference` now returns `Option<Preference<Encoding>>`. [#2501]
+- Rename methods `BodyEncoding::{encoding => encode_with, get_encoding => preferred_encoding}`. [#2501]
+- `http::header::Encoding` now only represents `Content-Encoding` types. [#2501]
+
+### Fixed
+- Auto-negotiation of content encoding is more fault-tolerant when using the `Compress` middleware. [#2501]
+
+### Removed
+- `Compress::new`; restricting compression algorithm is done through feature flags. [#2501]
+- `BodyEncoding` trait; signalling content encoding is now only done via the `Content-Encoding` header. [#2565]
+
+[#2501]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2501
+[#2565]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2565
+
+
+## 4.0.0-beta.18 - 2021-12-29
+### Changed
+- Update `cookie` dependency (re-exported) to `0.16`. [#2555]
+- Minimum supported Rust version (MSRV) is now 1.54.
+
+### Security
+- `cookie` upgrade addresses [`RUSTSEC-2020-0071`].
+
+[#2555]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2555
+[`RUSTSEC-2020-0071`]: https://rustsec.org/advisories/RUSTSEC-2020-0071.html
+
+
+## 4.0.0-beta.17 - 2021-12-29
+### Added
+- `guard::GuardContext` for use with the `Guard` trait. [#2552]
+- `ServiceRequest::guard_ctx` for obtaining a guard context. [#2552]
+
+### Changed
+- `Guard` trait now receives a `&GuardContext`. [#2552]
+- `guard::fn_guard` functions now receives a `&GuardContext`. [#2552]
+- Some guards now return `impl Guard` and their concrete types are made private: `guard::Header` and all the method guards. [#2552]
+- The `Not` guard is now generic over the type of guard it wraps. [#2552]
+
+### Fixed
+- Rename `ConnectionInfo::{remote_addr => peer_addr}`, deprecating the old name. [#2554]
+- `ConnectionInfo::peer_addr` will not return the port number. [#2554]
+- `ConnectionInfo::realip_remote_addr` will not return the port number if sourcing the IP from the peer's socket address. [#2554]
+
+[#2552]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2552
+[#2554]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2554
+
+
+## 4.0.0-beta.16 - 2021-12-27
+### Changed
+- No longer require `Scope` service body type to be boxed. [#2523]
+- No longer require `Resource` service body type to be boxed. [#2526]
+
+[#2523]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2523
+[#2526]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2526
+
+
 ## 4.0.0-beta.15 - 2021-12-17
 ### Added
 - Method on `Responder` trait (`customize`) for customizing responders and `CustomizeResponder` struct. [#2510]
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index c4f026566..39843bc1a 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "actix-web"
-version = "4.0.0-beta.15"
+version = "4.0.0-beta.20"
 authors = ["Nikolay Kim <fafhrd91@gmail.com>"]
 description = "Actix Web is a powerful, pragmatic, and extremely fast web framework for Rust"
 keywords = ["actix", "http", "web", "framework", "async"]
@@ -28,15 +28,15 @@ path = "src/lib.rs"
 resolver = "2"
 members = [
     ".",
-    "awc",
-    "actix-http",
     "actix-files",
+    "actix-http-test",
+    "actix-http",
     "actix-multipart",
+    "actix-router",
+    "actix-test",
     "actix-web-actors",
     "actix-web-codegen",
-    "actix-http-test",
-    "actix-test",
-    "actix-router",
+    "awc",
 ]
 
 [features]
@@ -71,20 +71,20 @@ experimental-io-uring = ["actix-server/io-uring"]
 [dependencies]
 actix-codec = "0.4.1"
 actix-macros = "0.2.3"
-actix-rt = "2.3"
-actix-server = "2.0.0-rc.1"
+actix-rt = "2.6"
+actix-server = "2.0.0-rc.4"
 actix-service = "2.0.0"
 actix-utils = "3.0.0"
-actix-tls = { version = "3.0.0-rc.1", default-features = false, optional = true }
+actix-tls = { version = "3.0.0", default-features = false, optional = true }
 
-actix-http = "3.0.0-beta.16"
-actix-router = "0.5.0-beta.3"
-actix-web-codegen = "0.5.0-beta.6"
+actix-http = "3.0.0-beta.18"
+actix-router = "0.5.0-rc.1"
+actix-web-codegen = "0.5.0-rc.1"
 
 ahash = "0.7"
 bytes = "1"
 cfg-if = "1"
-cookie = { version = "0.15", features = ["percent-encode"], optional = true }
+cookie = { version = "0.16", features = ["percent-encode"], optional = true }
 derive_more = "0.99.5"
 encoding_rs = "0.8"
 futures-core = { version = "0.3.7", default-features = false }
@@ -94,7 +94,6 @@ language-tags = "0.3"
 once_cell = "1.5"
 log = "0.4"
 mime = "0.3"
-paste = "1"
 pin-project-lite = "0.2.7"
 regex = "1.4"
 serde = { version = "1.0", features = ["derive"] }
@@ -106,10 +105,12 @@ time = { version = "0.3", default-features = false, features = ["formatting"] }
 url = "2.1"
 
 [dev-dependencies]
-actix-test = { version = "0.1.0-beta.9", features = ["openssl", "rustls"] }
-awc = { version = "3.0.0-beta.14", features = ["openssl"] }
+actix-files = "0.6.0-beta.14"
+actix-test = { version = "0.1.0-beta.11", features = ["openssl", "rustls"] }
+awc = { version = "3.0.0-beta.18", features = ["openssl"] }
 
-brotli = "3.3"
+brotli2 = "0.3.3"
+const-str = "0.3"
 criterion = { version = "0.3", features = ["html_reports"] }
 env_logger = "0.9"
 flate2 = "1.0.13"
@@ -117,6 +118,7 @@ futures-util = { version = "0.3.7", default-features = false, features = ["std"]
 rand = "0.8"
 rcgen = "0.8"
 rustls-pemfile = "0.2"
+static_assertions = "1"
 tls-openssl = { package = "openssl", version = "0.10.9" }
 tls-rustls = { package = "rustls", version = "0.20.0" }
 zstd = "0.9"
@@ -166,7 +168,7 @@ name = "uds"
 required-features = ["compress-gzip"]
 
 [[example]]
-name = "on_connect"
+name = "on-connect"
 required-features = []
 
 [[bench]]
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a9afbf386..0085c1d6d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@
   <p>
 
 [![crates.io](https://img.shields.io/crates/v/actix-web?label=latest)](https://crates.io/crates/actix-web)
-[![Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-web/badge.svg?version=4.0.0-beta.15)](https://docs.rs/actix-web/4.0.0-beta.15)
-[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/rustc-1.52+-ab6000.svg)](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/05/06/Rust-1.52.0.html)
+[![Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-web/badge.svg?version=4.0.0-beta.20)](https://docs.rs/actix-web/4.0.0-beta.20)
+![MSRV](https://img.shields.io/badge/rustc-1.54+-ab6000.svg)
 ![MIT or Apache 2.0 licensed](https://img.shields.io/crates/l/actix-web.svg)
-[![Dependency Status](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-web/4.0.0-beta.15/status.svg)](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-web/4.0.0-beta.15)
+[![Dependency Status](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-web/4.0.0-beta.20/status.svg)](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-web/4.0.0-beta.20)
 <br />
-[![build status](https://github.com/actix/actix-web/workflows/CI%20%28Linux%29/badge.svg?branch=master&event=push)](https://github.com/actix/actix-web/actions)
-[![codecov](https://codecov.io/gh/actix/actix-web/branch/master/graph/badge.svg)](https://codecov.io/gh/actix/actix-web) 
+[![CI](https://github.com/actix/actix-web/actions/workflows/ci.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/actix/actix-web/actions/workflows/ci.yml)
+[![codecov](https://codecov.io/gh/actix/actix-web/branch/master/graph/badge.svg)](https://codecov.io/gh/actix/actix-web)
 ![downloads](https://img.shields.io/crates/d/actix-web.svg)
 [![Chat on Discord](https://img.shields.io/discord/771444961383153695?label=chat&logo=discord)](https://discord.gg/NWpN5mmg3x)
 
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
 - SSL support using OpenSSL or Rustls
 - Middlewares ([Logger, Session, CORS, etc](https://actix.rs/docs/middleware/))
 - Includes an async [HTTP client](https://docs.rs/awc/)
-- Runs on stable Rust 1.52+
+- Runs on stable Rust 1.54+
 
 ## Documentation
 
diff --git a/actix-files/CHANGES.md b/actix-files/CHANGES.md
index ef8eba0fc..f37e27518 100644
--- a/actix-files/CHANGES.md
+++ b/actix-files/CHANGES.md
@@ -3,6 +3,28 @@
 ## Unreleased - 2021-xx-xx
 
 
+## 0.6.0-beta.14 - 2022-01-14
+- The `prefer_utf8` option introduced in `0.4.0` is now true by default. [#2583]
+
+[#2583]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2583
+
+
+## 0.6.0-beta.13 - 2022-01-04
+- The `Files` service now rejects requests with URL paths that include `%2F` (decoded: `/`). [#2398]
+- The `Files` service now correctly decodes `%25` in the URL path to `%` for the file path. [#2398]
+- Minimum supported Rust version (MSRV) is now 1.54.
+
+[#2398]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2398
+
+
+## 0.6.0-beta.12 - 2021-12-29
+- No significant changes since `0.6.0-beta.11`.
+
+
+## 0.6.0-beta.11 - 2021-12-27
+- No significant changes since `0.6.0-beta.10`.
+
+
 ## 0.6.0-beta.10 - 2021-12-11
 - No significant changes since `0.6.0-beta.9`.
 
diff --git a/actix-files/Cargo.toml b/actix-files/Cargo.toml
index c74a8e9a6..304cfa9da 100644
--- a/actix-files/Cargo.toml
+++ b/actix-files/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "actix-files"
-version = "0.6.0-beta.10"
+version = "0.6.0-beta.14"
 authors = [
     "Nikolay Kim <fafhrd91@gmail.com>",
     "fakeshadow <24548779@qq.com>",
@@ -22,10 +22,10 @@ path = "src/lib.rs"
 experimental-io-uring = ["actix-web/experimental-io-uring", "tokio-uring"]
 
 [dependencies]
-actix-http = "3.0.0-beta.16"
+actix-http = "3.0.0-beta.18"
 actix-service = "2"
 actix-utils = "3"
-actix-web = { version = "4.0.0-beta.15", default-features = false }
+actix-web = { version = "4.0.0-beta.20", default-features = false }
 
 askama_escape = "0.10"
 bitflags = "1"
@@ -39,9 +39,10 @@ mime_guess = "2.0.1"
 percent-encoding = "2.1"
 pin-project-lite = "0.2.7"
 
-tokio-uring = { version = "0.1", optional = true }
+tokio-uring = { version = "0.2", optional = true, features = ["bytes"] }
 
 [dev-dependencies]
 actix-rt = "2.2"
-actix-test = "0.1.0-beta.9"
-actix-web = "4.0.0-beta.15"
+actix-test = "0.1.0-beta.11"
+actix-web = "4.0.0-beta.20"
+tempfile = "3.2"
diff --git a/actix-files/README.md b/actix-files/README.md
index d686e255c..77dd1677e 100644
--- a/actix-files/README.md
+++ b/actix-files/README.md
@@ -3,11 +3,11 @@
 > Static file serving for Actix Web
 
 [![crates.io](https://img.shields.io/crates/v/actix-files?label=latest)](https://crates.io/crates/actix-files)
-[![Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-files/badge.svg?version=0.6.0-beta.10)](https://docs.rs/actix-files/0.6.0-beta.10)
-[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/rustc-1.52+-ab6000.svg)](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/05/06/Rust-1.52.0.html)
+[![Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-files/badge.svg?version=0.6.0-beta.14)](https://docs.rs/actix-files/0.6.0-beta.14)
+[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/rustc-1.54+-ab6000.svg)](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/05/06/Rust-1.54.0.html)
 ![License](https://img.shields.io/crates/l/actix-files.svg)
 <br />
-[![dependency status](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-files/0.6.0-beta.10/status.svg)](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-files/0.6.0-beta.10)
+[![dependency status](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-files/0.6.0-beta.14/status.svg)](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-files/0.6.0-beta.14)
 [![Download](https://img.shields.io/crates/d/actix-files.svg)](https://crates.io/crates/actix-files)
 [![Chat on Discord](https://img.shields.io/discord/771444961383153695?label=chat&logo=discord)](https://discord.gg/NWpN5mmg3x)
 
@@ -15,4 +15,4 @@
 
 - [API Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-files/)
 - [Example Project](https://github.com/actix/examples/tree/master/basics/static_index)
-- Minimum Supported Rust Version (MSRV): 1.52
+- Minimum Supported Rust Version (MSRV): 1.54
diff --git a/actix-files/src/chunked.rs b/actix-files/src/chunked.rs
index 68221ccc3..3ee2ee072 100644
--- a/actix-files/src/chunked.rs
+++ b/actix-files/src/chunked.rs
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ use actix_web::{error::Error, web::Bytes};
 use futures_core::{ready, Stream};
 use pin_project_lite::pin_project;
 
+#[cfg(feature = "experimental-io-uring")]
+use bytes::BytesMut;
+
 use super::named::File;
 
 pin_project! {
@@ -214,64 +217,3 @@ where
         }
     }
 }
-
-#[cfg(feature = "experimental-io-uring")]
-use bytes_mut::BytesMut;
-
-// TODO: remove new type and use bytes::BytesMut directly
-#[doc(hidden)]
-#[cfg(feature = "experimental-io-uring")]
-mod bytes_mut {
-    use std::ops::{Deref, DerefMut};
-
-    use tokio_uring::buf::{IoBuf, IoBufMut};
-
-    #[derive(Debug)]
-    pub struct BytesMut(bytes::BytesMut);
-
-    impl BytesMut {
-        pub(super) fn new() -> Self {
-            Self(bytes::BytesMut::new())
-        }
-    }
-
-    impl Deref for BytesMut {
-        type Target = bytes::BytesMut;
-
-        fn deref(&self) -> &Self::Target {
-            &self.0
-        }
-    }
-
-    impl DerefMut for BytesMut {
-        fn deref_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Self::Target {
-            &mut self.0
-        }
-    }
-
-    unsafe impl IoBuf for BytesMut {
-        fn stable_ptr(&self) -> *const u8 {
-            self.0.as_ptr()
-        }
-
-        fn bytes_init(&self) -> usize {
-            self.0.len()
-        }
-
-        fn bytes_total(&self) -> usize {
-            self.0.capacity()
-        }
-    }
-
-    unsafe impl IoBufMut for BytesMut {
-        fn stable_mut_ptr(&mut self) -> *mut u8 {
-            self.0.as_mut_ptr()
-        }
-
-        unsafe fn set_init(&mut self, init_len: usize) {
-            if self.len() < init_len {
-                self.0.set_len(init_len);
-            }
-        }
-    }
-}
diff --git a/actix-files/src/directory.rs b/actix-files/src/directory.rs
index 80e0c98d0..26225ea5c 100644
--- a/actix-files/src/directory.rs
+++ b/actix-files/src/directory.rs
@@ -40,14 +40,23 @@ impl Directory {
 pub(crate) type DirectoryRenderer =
     dyn Fn(&Directory, &HttpRequest) -> Result<ServiceResponse, io::Error>;
 
-// show file url as relative to static path
+/// Returns percent encoded file URL path.
 macro_rules! encode_file_url {
     ($path:ident) => {
         utf8_percent_encode(&$path, CONTROLS)
     };
 }
 
-// " -- &quot;  & -- &amp;  ' -- &#x27;  < -- &lt;  > -- &gt;  / -- &#x2f;
+/// Returns HTML entity encoded formatter.
+///
+/// ```plain
+/// " => &quot;
+/// & => &amp;
+/// ' => &#x27;
+/// < => &lt;
+/// > => &gt;
+/// / => &#x2f;
+/// ```
 macro_rules! encode_file_name {
     ($entry:ident) => {
         escape_html_entity(&$entry.file_name().to_string_lossy(), Html)
diff --git a/actix-files/src/error.rs b/actix-files/src/error.rs
index f8e32eef7..6682529f8 100644
--- a/actix-files/src/error.rs
+++ b/actix-files/src/error.rs
@@ -23,16 +23,23 @@ impl ResponseError for FilesError {
 
 #[allow(clippy::enum_variant_names)]
 #[derive(Display, Debug, PartialEq)]
+#[non_exhaustive]
 pub enum UriSegmentError {
     /// The segment started with the wrapped invalid character.
     #[display(fmt = "The segment started with the wrapped invalid character")]
     BadStart(char),
+
     /// The segment contained the wrapped invalid character.
     #[display(fmt = "The segment contained the wrapped invalid character")]
     BadChar(char),
+
     /// The segment ended with the wrapped invalid character.
     #[display(fmt = "The segment ended with the wrapped invalid character")]
     BadEnd(char),
+
+    /// The path is not a valid UTF-8 string after doing percent decoding.
+    #[display(fmt = "The path is not a valid UTF-8 string after percent-decoding")]
+    NotValidUtf8,
 }
 
 /// Return `BadRequest` for `UriSegmentError`
diff --git a/actix-files/src/files.rs b/actix-files/src/files.rs
index d1dd6739d..adfb93232 100644
--- a/actix-files/src/files.rs
+++ b/actix-files/src/files.rs
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ use crate::{
 ///
 /// `Files` service must be registered with `App::service()` method.
 ///
+/// # Examples
 /// ```
 /// use actix_web::App;
 /// use actix_files::Files;
diff --git a/actix-files/src/lib.rs b/actix-files/src/lib.rs
index 6408e02da..af404721c 100644
--- a/actix-files/src/lib.rs
+++ b/actix-files/src/lib.rs
@@ -67,8 +67,8 @@ mod tests {
         time::{Duration, SystemTime},
     };
 
-    use actix_service::ServiceFactory;
     use actix_web::{
+        dev::ServiceFactory,
         guard,
         http::{
             header::{self, ContentDisposition, DispositionParam, DispositionType},
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@ mod tests {
         let resp = file.respond_to(&req).await.unwrap();
         assert_eq!(
             resp.headers().get(header::CONTENT_TYPE).unwrap(),
-            "application/javascript"
+            "application/javascript; charset=utf-8"
         );
         assert_eq!(
             resp.headers().get(header::CONTENT_DISPOSITION).unwrap(),
@@ -597,7 +597,8 @@ mod tests {
             .to_request();
         let res = test::call_service(&srv, request).await;
         assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
-        assert!(!res.headers().contains_key(header::CONTENT_ENCODING));
+        assert!(res.headers().contains_key(header::CONTENT_ENCODING));
+        assert!(!test::read_body(res).await.is_empty());
     }
 
     #[actix_rt::test]
@@ -802,6 +803,38 @@ mod tests {
         let req = TestRequest::get().uri("/test/%43argo.toml").to_request();
         let res = test::call_service(&srv, req).await;
         assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+
+        // `%2F` == `/`
+        let req = TestRequest::get().uri("/test%2Ftest.binary").to_request();
+        let res = test::call_service(&srv, req).await;
+        assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::NOT_FOUND);
+
+        let req = TestRequest::get().uri("/test/Cargo.toml%00").to_request();
+        let res = test::call_service(&srv, req).await;
+        assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::NOT_FOUND);
+    }
+
+    #[actix_rt::test]
+    async fn test_percent_encoding_2() {
+        let tmpdir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let filename = match cfg!(unix) {
+            true => "ض:?#[]{}<>()@!$&'`|*+,;= %20.test",
+            false => "ض#[]{}()@!$&'`+,;= %20.test",
+        };
+        let filename_encoded = filename
+            .as_bytes()
+            .iter()
+            .map(|c| format!("%{:02X}", c))
+            .collect::<String>();
+        std::fs::File::create(tmpdir.path().join(filename)).unwrap();
+
+        let srv = test::init_service(App::new().service(Files::new("", tmpdir.path()))).await;
+
+        let req = TestRequest::get()
+            .uri(&format!("/{}", filename_encoded))
+            .to_request();
+        let res = test::call_service(&srv, req).await;
+        assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
     }
 
     #[actix_rt::test]
diff --git a/actix-files/src/named.rs b/actix-files/src/named.rs
index 810988f0c..14495e660 100644
--- a/actix-files/src/named.rs
+++ b/actix-files/src/named.rs
@@ -1,22 +1,20 @@
 use std::{
-    fmt,
     fs::Metadata,
     io,
     path::{Path, PathBuf},
     time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH},
 };
 
-use actix_service::{Service, ServiceFactory};
 use actix_web::{
     body::{self, BoxBody, SizedStream},
     dev::{
-        AppService, BodyEncoding, HttpServiceFactory, ResourceDef, ServiceRequest,
-        ServiceResponse,
+        self, AppService, HttpServiceFactory, ResourceDef, Service, ServiceFactory,
+        ServiceRequest, ServiceResponse,
     },
     http::{
         header::{
             self, Charset, ContentDisposition, ContentEncoding, DispositionParam,
-            DispositionType, ExtendedValue,
+            DispositionType, ExtendedValue, HeaderValue,
         },
         StatusCode,
     },
@@ -40,7 +38,7 @@ bitflags! {
 
 impl Default for Flags {
     fn default() -> Self {
-        Flags::from_bits_truncate(0b0000_0111)
+        Flags::from_bits_truncate(0b0000_1111)
     }
 }
 
@@ -68,12 +66,12 @@ impl Default for Flags {
 ///     NamedFile::open_async("./static/index.html").await
 /// }
 /// ```
-#[derive(Deref, DerefMut)]
+#[derive(Debug, Deref, DerefMut)]
 pub struct NamedFile {
-    path: PathBuf,
     #[deref]
     #[deref_mut]
     file: File,
+    path: PathBuf,
     modified: Option<SystemTime>,
     pub(crate) md: Metadata,
     pub(crate) flags: Flags,
@@ -83,32 +81,6 @@ pub struct NamedFile {
     pub(crate) encoding: Option<ContentEncoding>,
 }
 
-impl fmt::Debug for NamedFile {
-    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
-        f.debug_struct("NamedFile")
-            .field("path", &self.path)
-            .field(
-                "file",
-                #[cfg(feature = "experimental-io-uring")]
-                {
-                    &"tokio_uring::File"
-                },
-                #[cfg(not(feature = "experimental-io-uring"))]
-                {
-                    &self.file
-                },
-            )
-            .field("modified", &self.modified)
-            .field("md", &self.md)
-            .field("flags", &self.flags)
-            .field("status_code", &self.status_code)
-            .field("content_type", &self.content_type)
-            .field("content_disposition", &self.content_disposition)
-            .field("encoding", &self.encoding)
-            .finish()
-    }
-}
-
 #[cfg(not(feature = "experimental-io-uring"))]
 pub(crate) use std::fs::File;
 #[cfg(feature = "experimental-io-uring")]
@@ -224,7 +196,6 @@ impl NamedFile {
         })
     }
 
-    #[cfg(not(feature = "experimental-io-uring"))]
     /// Attempts to open a file in read-only mode.
     ///
     /// # Examples
@@ -232,6 +203,7 @@ impl NamedFile {
     /// use actix_files::NamedFile;
     /// let file = NamedFile::open("foo.txt");
     /// ```
+    #[cfg(not(feature = "experimental-io-uring"))]
     pub fn open<P: AsRef<Path>>(path: P) -> io::Result<NamedFile> {
         let file = File::open(&path)?;
         Self::from_file(file, path)
@@ -295,23 +267,21 @@ impl NamedFile {
         self
     }
 
-    /// Set the MIME Content-Type for serving this file. By default
-    /// the Content-Type is inferred from the filename extension.
+    /// Set the MIME Content-Type for serving this file. By default the Content-Type is inferred
+    /// from the filename extension.
     #[inline]
     pub fn set_content_type(mut self, mime_type: mime::Mime) -> Self {
         self.content_type = mime_type;
         self
     }
 
-    /// Set the Content-Disposition for serving this file. This allows
-    /// changing the inline/attachment disposition as well as the filename
-    /// sent to the peer.
+    /// Set the Content-Disposition for serving this file. This allows changing the
+    /// `inline/attachment` disposition as well as the filename sent to the peer.
     ///
     /// By default the disposition is `inline` for `text/*`, `image/*`, `video/*` and
-    /// `application/{javascript, json, wasm}` mime types, and `attachment` otherwise,
-    /// and the filename is taken from the path provided in the `open` method
-    /// after converting it to UTF-8 using.
-    /// [`std::ffi::OsStr::to_string_lossy`]
+    /// `application/{javascript, json, wasm}` mime types, and `attachment` otherwise, and the
+    /// filename is taken from the path provided in the `open` method after converting it to UTF-8
+    /// (using `to_string_lossy`).
     #[inline]
     pub fn set_content_disposition(mut self, cd: header::ContentDisposition) -> Self {
         self.content_disposition = cd;
@@ -337,7 +307,7 @@ impl NamedFile {
         self
     }
 
-    /// Specifies whether to use ETag or not.
+    /// Specifies whether to return `ETag` header in response.
     ///
     /// Default is true.
     #[inline]
@@ -346,7 +316,7 @@ impl NamedFile {
         self
     }
 
-    /// Specifies whether to use Last-Modified or not.
+    /// Specifies whether to return `Last-Modified` header in response.
     ///
     /// Default is true.
     #[inline]
@@ -364,7 +334,7 @@ impl NamedFile {
         self
     }
 
-    /// Creates a etag in a format is similar to Apache's.
+    /// Creates an `ETag` in a format is similar to Apache's.
     pub(crate) fn etag(&self) -> Option<header::EntityTag> {
         self.modified.as_ref().map(|mtime| {
             let ino = {
@@ -386,7 +356,7 @@ impl NamedFile {
                 .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
                 .expect("modification time must be after epoch");
 
-            header::EntityTag::strong(format!(
+            header::EntityTag::new_strong(format!(
                 "{:x}:{:x}:{:x}:{:x}",
                 ino,
                 self.md.len(),
@@ -405,12 +375,13 @@ impl NamedFile {
         if self.status_code != StatusCode::OK {
             let mut res = HttpResponse::build(self.status_code);
 
-            if self.flags.contains(Flags::PREFER_UTF8) {
-                let ct = equiv_utf8_text(self.content_type.clone());
-                res.insert_header((header::CONTENT_TYPE, ct.to_string()));
+            let ct = if self.flags.contains(Flags::PREFER_UTF8) {
+                equiv_utf8_text(self.content_type.clone())
             } else {
-                res.insert_header((header::CONTENT_TYPE, self.content_type.to_string()));
-            }
+                self.content_type
+            };
+
+            res.insert_header((header::CONTENT_TYPE, ct.to_string()));
 
             if self.flags.contains(Flags::CONTENT_DISPOSITION) {
                 res.insert_header((
@@ -420,7 +391,7 @@ impl NamedFile {
             }
 
             if let Some(current_encoding) = self.encoding {
-                res.encoding(current_encoding);
+                res.insert_header((header::CONTENT_ENCODING, current_encoding.as_str()));
             }
 
             let reader = chunked::new_chunked_read(self.md.len(), 0, self.file);
@@ -478,12 +449,13 @@ impl NamedFile {
 
         let mut res = HttpResponse::build(self.status_code);
 
-        if self.flags.contains(Flags::PREFER_UTF8) {
-            let ct = equiv_utf8_text(self.content_type.clone());
-            res.insert_header((header::CONTENT_TYPE, ct.to_string()));
+        let ct = if self.flags.contains(Flags::PREFER_UTF8) {
+            equiv_utf8_text(self.content_type.clone())
         } else {
-            res.insert_header((header::CONTENT_TYPE, self.content_type.to_string()));
-        }
+            self.content_type
+        };
+
+        res.insert_header((header::CONTENT_TYPE, ct.to_string()));
 
         if self.flags.contains(Flags::CONTENT_DISPOSITION) {
             res.insert_header((
@@ -492,9 +464,8 @@ impl NamedFile {
             ));
         }
 
-        // default compressing
         if let Some(current_encoding) = self.encoding {
-            res.encoding(current_encoding);
+            res.insert_header((header::CONTENT_ENCODING, current_encoding.as_str()));
         }
 
         if let Some(lm) = last_modified {
@@ -517,7 +488,12 @@ impl NamedFile {
                     length = ranges[0].length;
                     offset = ranges[0].start;
 
-                    res.encoding(ContentEncoding::Identity);
+                    // don't allow compression middleware to modify partial content
+                    res.insert_header((
+                        header::CONTENT_ENCODING,
+                        HeaderValue::from_static("identity"),
+                    ));
+
                     res.insert_header((
                         header::CONTENT_RANGE,
                         format!("bytes {}-{}/{}", offset, offset + length - 1, self.md.len()),
@@ -626,7 +602,7 @@ impl Service<ServiceRequest> for NamedFileService {
     type Error = Error;
     type Future = LocalBoxFuture<'static, Result<Self::Response, Self::Error>>;
 
-    actix_service::always_ready!();
+    dev::always_ready!();
 
     fn call(&self, req: ServiceRequest) -> Self::Future {
         let (req, _) = req.into_parts();
diff --git a/actix-files/src/path_buf.rs b/actix-files/src/path_buf.rs
index 0e0d4f51d..03b2cd766 100644
--- a/actix-files/src/path_buf.rs
+++ b/actix-files/src/path_buf.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 use std::{
-    path::{Path, PathBuf},
+    path::{Component, Path, PathBuf},
     str::FromStr,
 };
 
@@ -26,8 +26,23 @@ impl PathBufWrap {
     pub fn parse_path(path: &str, hidden_files: bool) -> Result<Self, UriSegmentError> {
         let mut buf = PathBuf::new();
 
+        // equivalent to `path.split('/').count()`
+        let mut segment_count = path.matches('/').count() + 1;
+
+        // we can decode the whole path here (instead of per-segment decoding)
+        // because we will reject `%2F` in paths using `segement_count`.
+        let path = percent_encoding::percent_decode_str(path)
+            .decode_utf8()
+            .map_err(|_| UriSegmentError::NotValidUtf8)?;
+
+        // disallow decoding `%2F` into `/`
+        if segment_count != path.matches('/').count() + 1 {
+            return Err(UriSegmentError::BadChar('/'));
+        }
+
         for segment in path.split('/') {
             if segment == ".." {
+                segment_count -= 1;
                 buf.pop();
             } else if !hidden_files && segment.starts_with('.') {
                 return Err(UriSegmentError::BadStart('.'));
@@ -40,6 +55,7 @@ impl PathBufWrap {
             } else if segment.ends_with('<') {
                 return Err(UriSegmentError::BadEnd('<'));
             } else if segment.is_empty() {
+                segment_count -= 1;
                 continue;
             } else if cfg!(windows) && segment.contains('\\') {
                 return Err(UriSegmentError::BadChar('\\'));
@@ -48,6 +64,12 @@ impl PathBufWrap {
             }
         }
 
+        // make sure we agree with stdlib parser
+        for (i, component) in buf.components().enumerate() {
+            assert!(matches!(component, Component::Normal(_)));
+            assert!(i < segment_count);
+        }
+
         Ok(PathBufWrap(buf))
     }
 }
diff --git a/actix-files/src/service.rs b/actix-files/src/service.rs
index f6e1c2e11..4e8b72311 100644
--- a/actix-files/src/service.rs
+++ b/actix-files/src/service.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 use std::{fmt, io, ops::Deref, path::PathBuf, rc::Rc};
 
-use actix_service::Service;
 use actix_web::{
-    dev::{ServiceRequest, ServiceResponse},
+    body::BoxBody,
+    dev::{self, Service, ServiceRequest, ServiceResponse},
     error::Error,
     guard::Guard,
     http::{header, Method},
@@ -94,16 +94,16 @@ impl fmt::Debug for FilesService {
 }
 
 impl Service<ServiceRequest> for FilesService {
-    type Response = ServiceResponse;
+    type Response = ServiceResponse<BoxBody>;
     type Error = Error;
     type Future = LocalBoxFuture<'static, Result<Self::Response, Self::Error>>;
 
-    actix_service::always_ready!();
+    dev::always_ready!();
 
     fn call(&self, req: ServiceRequest) -> Self::Future {
         let is_method_valid = if let Some(guard) = &self.guards {
             // execute user defined guards
-            (**guard).check(req.head())
+            (**guard).check(&req.guard_ctx())
         } else {
             // default behavior
             matches!(*req.method(), Method::HEAD | Method::GET)
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ impl Service<ServiceRequest> for FilesService {
         Box::pin(async move {
             if !is_method_valid {
                 return Ok(req.into_response(
-                    actix_web::HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed()
+                    HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed()
                         .insert_header(header::ContentType(mime::TEXT_PLAIN_UTF_8))
                         .body("Request did not meet this resource's requirements."),
                 ));
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ impl Service<ServiceRequest> for FilesService {
             let real_path =
                 match PathBufWrap::parse_path(req.match_info().path(), this.hidden_files) {
                     Ok(item) => item,
-                    Err(e) => return Ok(req.error_response(e)),
+                    Err(err) => return Ok(req.error_response(err)),
                 };
 
             if let Some(filter) = &this.path_filter {
@@ -131,9 +131,7 @@ impl Service<ServiceRequest> for FilesService {
                     if let Some(ref default) = this.default {
                         return default.call(req).await;
                     } else {
-                        return Ok(
-                            req.into_response(actix_web::HttpResponse::NotFound().finish())
-                        );
+                        return Ok(req.into_response(HttpResponse::NotFound().finish()));
                     }
                 }
             }
diff --git a/actix-files/tests/encoding.rs b/actix-files/tests/encoding.rs
index 652a7c12b..080292af5 100644
--- a/actix-files/tests/encoding.rs
+++ b/actix-files/tests/encoding.rs
@@ -19,12 +19,12 @@ async fn test_utf8_file_contents() {
     assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
     assert_eq!(
         res.headers().get(header::CONTENT_TYPE),
-        Some(&HeaderValue::from_static("text/plain")),
+        Some(&HeaderValue::from_static("text/plain; charset=utf-8")),
     );
 
-    // prefer UTF-8 encoding
+    // disable UTF-8 attribute
     let srv =
-        test::init_service(App::new().service(Files::new("/", "./tests").prefer_utf8(true)))
+        test::init_service(App::new().service(Files::new("/", "./tests").prefer_utf8(false)))
             .await;
 
     let req = TestRequest::with_uri("/utf8.txt").to_request();
@@ -33,6 +33,6 @@ async fn test_utf8_file_contents() {
     assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
     assert_eq!(
         res.headers().get(header::CONTENT_TYPE),
-        Some(&HeaderValue::from_static("text/plain; charset=utf-8")),
+        Some(&HeaderValue::from_static("text/plain")),
     );
 }
diff --git a/actix-http-test/CHANGES.md b/actix-http-test/CHANGES.md
index 4e86e20e8..b62281798 100644
--- a/actix-http-test/CHANGES.md
+++ b/actix-http-test/CHANGES.md
@@ -3,6 +3,16 @@
 ## Unreleased - 2021-xx-xx
 
 
+## 3.0.0-beta.11 - 2022-01-04
+- Minimum supported Rust version (MSRV) is now 1.54.
+
+
+## 3.0.0-beta.10 - 2021-12-27
+- Update `actix-server` to `2.0.0-rc.2`. [#2550]
+
+[#2550]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2550
+
+
 ## 3.0.0-beta.9 - 2021-12-11
 - No significant changes since `3.0.0-beta.8`.
 
diff --git a/actix-http-test/Cargo.toml b/actix-http-test/Cargo.toml
index e1c875a1f..b8521dd0c 100644
--- a/actix-http-test/Cargo.toml
+++ b/actix-http-test/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "actix-http-test"
-version = "3.0.0-beta.9"
+version = "3.0.0-beta.11"
 authors = ["Nikolay Kim <fafhrd91@gmail.com>"]
 description = "Various helpers for Actix applications to use during testing"
 keywords = ["http", "web", "framework", "async", "futures"]
@@ -31,11 +31,11 @@ openssl = ["tls-openssl", "awc/openssl"]
 [dependencies]
 actix-service = "2.0.0"
 actix-codec = "0.4.1"
-actix-tls = "3.0.0-rc.1"
+actix-tls = "3.0.0"
 actix-utils = "3.0.0"
 actix-rt = "2.2"
-actix-server = "2.0.0-rc.1"
-awc = { version = "3.0.0-beta.14", default-features = false }
+actix-server = "2.0.0-rc.2"
+awc = { version = "3.0.0-beta.18", default-features = false }
 
 base64 = "0.13"
 bytes = "1"
@@ -48,8 +48,8 @@ serde_json = "1.0"
 slab = "0.4"
 serde_urlencoded = "0.7"
 tls-openssl = { version = "0.10.9", package = "openssl", optional = true }
-tokio = { version = "1.8", features = ["sync"] }
+tokio = { version = "1.8.4", features = ["sync"] }
 
 [dev-dependencies]
-actix-web = { version = "4.0.0-beta.15", default-features = false, features = ["cookies"] }
-actix-http = "3.0.0-beta.16"
+actix-web = { version = "4.0.0-beta.20", default-features = false, features = ["cookies"] }
+actix-http = "3.0.0-beta.18"
diff --git a/actix-http-test/README.md b/actix-http-test/README.md
index a0a8f1cd8..10c04b368 100644
--- a/actix-http-test/README.md
+++ b/actix-http-test/README.md
@@ -3,15 +3,15 @@
 > Various helpers for Actix applications to use during testing.
 
 [![crates.io](https://img.shields.io/crates/v/actix-http-test?label=latest)](https://crates.io/crates/actix-http-test)
-[![Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-http-test/badge.svg?version=3.0.0-beta.9)](https://docs.rs/actix-http-test/3.0.0-beta.9)
-[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/rustc-1.52+-ab6000.svg)](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/05/06/Rust-1.52.0.html)
+[![Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-http-test/badge.svg?version=3.0.0-beta.11)](https://docs.rs/actix-http-test/3.0.0-beta.11)
+[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/rustc-1.54+-ab6000.svg)](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/05/06/Rust-1.54.0.html)
 ![MIT or Apache 2.0 licensed](https://img.shields.io/crates/l/actix-http-test)
 <br>
-[![Dependency Status](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-http-test/3.0.0-beta.9/status.svg)](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-http-test/3.0.0-beta.9)
+[![Dependency Status](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-http-test/3.0.0-beta.11/status.svg)](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-http-test/3.0.0-beta.11)
 [![Download](https://img.shields.io/crates/d/actix-http-test.svg)](https://crates.io/crates/actix-http-test)
 [![Chat on Discord](https://img.shields.io/discord/771444961383153695?label=chat&logo=discord)](https://discord.gg/NWpN5mmg3x)
 
 ## Documentation & Resources
 
 - [API Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-http-test)
-- Minimum Supported Rust Version (MSRV): 1.52
+- Minimum Supported Rust Version (MSRV): 1.54
diff --git a/actix-http-test/src/lib.rs b/actix-http-test/src/lib.rs
index 03239ece6..8636ef9c4 100644
--- a/actix-http-test/src/lib.rs
+++ b/actix-http-test/src/lib.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ use std::{net, thread, time::Duration};
 
 use actix_codec::{AsyncRead, AsyncWrite, Framed};
 use actix_rt::{net::TcpStream, System};
-use actix_server::{Server, ServiceFactory};
+use actix_server::{Server, ServerServiceFactory};
 use awc::{
     error::PayloadError, http::header::HeaderMap, ws, Client, ClientRequest, ClientResponse,
     Connector,
@@ -51,13 +51,13 @@ use tokio::sync::mpsc;
 ///     assert!(response.status().is_success());
 /// }
 /// ```
-pub async fn test_server<F: ServiceFactory<TcpStream>>(factory: F) -> TestServer {
+pub async fn test_server<F: ServerServiceFactory<TcpStream>>(factory: F) -> TestServer {
     let tcp = net::TcpListener::bind("127.0.0.1:0").unwrap();
     test_server_with_addr(tcp, factory).await
 }
 
 /// Start [`test server`](test_server()) on an existing address binding.
-pub async fn test_server_with_addr<F: ServiceFactory<TcpStream>>(
+pub async fn test_server_with_addr<F: ServerServiceFactory<TcpStream>>(
     tcp: net::TcpListener,
     factory: F,
 ) -> TestServer {
diff --git a/actix-http/CHANGES.md b/actix-http/CHANGES.md
index 3b45e934f..935e35561 100644
--- a/actix-http/CHANGES.md
+++ b/actix-http/CHANGES.md
@@ -1,10 +1,49 @@
 # Changes
 
 ## Unreleased - 2021-xx-xx
+
+
+## 3.0.0-beta.18 - 2022-01-04
+### Added
+- `impl Eq` for `header::ContentEncoding`. [#2501]
+- `impl Copy` for `QualityItem` where `T: Copy`. [#2501]
+- `Quality::ZERO` equivalent to `q=0`. [#2501]
+- `QualityItem::zero` that uses `Quality::ZERO`. [#2501]
+- `ContentEncoding::to_header_value()`. [#2501]
+
+### Changed
+- `Quality::MIN` is now the smallest non-zero value. [#2501]
+- `QualityItem::min` semantics changed with `QualityItem::MIN`. [#2501]
+- Rename `ContentEncoding::{Br => Brotli}`. [#2501]
+- Minimum supported Rust version (MSRV) is now 1.54.
+- Rename `header::EntityTag::{weak => new_weak, strong => new_strong}`. [#2565]
+
+### Fixed
+- `ContentEncoding::Identity` can now be parsed from a string. [#2501]
+- A `Vary` header is now correctly sent along with compressed content. [#2501]
+
+### Removed
+- `ContentEncoding::Auto` variant. [#2501]
+- `ContentEncoding::is_compression()`. [#2501]
+
+[#2501]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2501
+[#2565]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2565
+
+
+## 3.0.0-beta.17 - 2021-12-27
 ### Changes
 - `HeaderMap::get_all` now returns a `std::slice::Iter`. [#2527]
+- `Payload` inner fields are now named. [#2545]
+- `impl Stream` for `Payload` no longer requires the `Stream` variant be `Unpin`. [#2545]
+- `impl Future` for `h1::SendResponse` no longer requires the body type be `Unpin`. [#2545]
+- `impl Stream` for `encoding::Decoder` no longer requires the stream type be `Unpin`. [#2545]
+- Rename `PayloadStream` to `BoxedPayloadStream`. [#2545]
+
+### Removed
+- `h1::Payload::readany`. [#2545]
 
 [#2527]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2527
+[#2545]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2545
 
 
 ## 3.0.0-beta.16 - 2021-12-17
diff --git a/actix-http/Cargo.toml b/actix-http/Cargo.toml
index eaff0cb43..8831b5e5e 100644
--- a/actix-http/Cargo.toml
+++ b/actix-http/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "actix-http"
-version = "3.0.0-beta.16"
+version = "3.0.0-beta.18"
 authors = ["Nikolay Kim <fafhrd91@gmail.com>"]
 description = "HTTP primitives for the Actix ecosystem"
 keywords = ["actix", "http", "framework", "async", "futures"]
@@ -55,7 +55,6 @@ bytestring = "1"
 derive_more = "0.99.5"
 encoding_rs = "0.8"
 futures-core = { version = "0.3.7", default-features = false, features = ["alloc"] }
-futures-task = { version = "0.3.7", default-features = false, features = ["alloc"] }
 h2 = "0.3.9"
 http = "0.2.5"
 httparse = "1.5.1"
@@ -72,7 +71,7 @@ sha-1 = "0.10"
 smallvec = "1.6.1"
 
 # tls
-actix-tls = { version = "3.0.0-rc.1", default-features = false, optional = true }
+actix-tls = { version = "3.0.0", default-features = false, optional = true }
 
 # compression
 brotli = { version = "3.3", optional = true }
@@ -80,10 +79,10 @@ flate2 = { version = "1.0.13", optional = true }
 zstd = { version = "0.9", optional = true }
 
 [dev-dependencies]
-actix-http-test = { version = "3.0.0-beta.9", features = ["openssl"] }
-actix-server = "2.0.0-rc.1"
-actix-tls = { version = "3.0.0-rc.1", features = ["openssl"] }
-actix-web = "4.0.0-beta.15"
+actix-http-test = { version = "3.0.0-beta.11", features = ["openssl"] }
+actix-server = "2.0.0-rc.2"
+actix-tls = { version = "3.0.0", features = ["openssl"] }
+actix-web = "4.0.0-beta.20"
 
 async-stream = "0.3"
 criterion = { version = "0.3", features = ["html_reports"] }
@@ -97,7 +96,7 @@ serde_json = "1.0"
 static_assertions = "1"
 tls-openssl = { package = "openssl", version = "0.10.9" }
 tls-rustls = { package = "rustls", version = "0.20.0" }
-tokio = { version = "1.8", features = ["net", "rt", "macros"] }
+tokio = { version = "1.8.4", features = ["net", "rt", "macros"] }
 
 [[example]]
 name = "ws"
diff --git a/actix-http/README.md b/actix-http/README.md
index 05edffd2c..9883cc3f0 100644
--- a/actix-http/README.md
+++ b/actix-http/README.md
@@ -3,18 +3,18 @@
 > HTTP primitives for the Actix ecosystem.
 
 [![crates.io](https://img.shields.io/crates/v/actix-http?label=latest)](https://crates.io/crates/actix-http)
-[![Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-http/badge.svg?version=3.0.0-beta.16)](https://docs.rs/actix-http/3.0.0-beta.16)
-[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/rustc-1.52+-ab6000.svg)](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/05/06/Rust-1.52.0.html)
+[![Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-http/badge.svg?version=3.0.0-beta.18)](https://docs.rs/actix-http/3.0.0-beta.18)
+[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/rustc-1.54+-ab6000.svg)](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/05/06/Rust-1.54.0.html)
 ![MIT or Apache 2.0 licensed](https://img.shields.io/crates/l/actix-http.svg)
 <br />
-[![dependency status](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-http/3.0.0-beta.16/status.svg)](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-http/3.0.0-beta.16)
+[![dependency status](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-http/3.0.0-beta.18/status.svg)](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-http/3.0.0-beta.18)
 [![Download](https://img.shields.io/crates/d/actix-http.svg)](https://crates.io/crates/actix-http)
 [![Chat on Discord](https://img.shields.io/discord/771444961383153695?label=chat&logo=discord)](https://discord.gg/NWpN5mmg3x)
 
 ## Documentation & Resources
 
 - [API Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-http)
-- Minimum Supported Rust Version (MSRV): 1.52
+- Minimum Supported Rust Version (MSRV): 1.54
 
 ## Example
 
diff --git a/actix-http/benches/quality-value.rs b/actix-http/benches/quality-value.rs
index 31b67f999..33ba9c4c8 100644
--- a/actix-http/benches/quality-value.rs
+++ b/actix-http/benches/quality-value.rs
@@ -42,32 +42,37 @@ mod _new {
                     if x < 10 {
                         f.write_str("00")?;
                         // 0 is handled so it's not possible to have a trailing 0, we can just return
-                        itoa::fmt(f, x)
+                        itoa_fmt(f, x)
                     } else if x < 100 {
                         f.write_str("0")?;
                         if x % 10 == 0 {
                             // trailing 0, divide by 10 and write
-                            itoa::fmt(f, x / 10)
+                            itoa_fmt(f, x / 10)
                         } else {
-                            itoa::fmt(f, x)
+                            itoa_fmt(f, x)
                         }
                     } else {
                         // x is in range 101–999
 
                         if x % 100 == 0 {
                             // two trailing 0s, divide by 100 and write
-                            itoa::fmt(f, x / 100)
+                            itoa_fmt(f, x / 100)
                         } else if x % 10 == 0 {
                             // one trailing 0, divide by 10 and write
-                            itoa::fmt(f, x / 10)
+                            itoa_fmt(f, x / 10)
                         } else {
-                            itoa::fmt(f, x)
+                            itoa_fmt(f, x)
                         }
                     }
                 }
             }
         }
     }
+
+    pub fn itoa_fmt<W: fmt::Write, V: itoa::Integer>(mut wr: W, value: V) -> fmt::Result {
+        let mut buf = itoa::Buffer::new();
+        wr.write_str(buf.format(value))
+    }
 }
 
 mod _naive {
diff --git a/actix-http/src/encoding/decoder.rs b/actix-http/src/encoding/decoder.rs
index 03c1944b6..dd756ae82 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/encoding/decoder.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/encoding/decoder.rs
@@ -25,11 +25,14 @@ use crate::{
 
 const MAX_CHUNK_SIZE_DECODE_IN_PLACE: usize = 2049;
 
-pub struct Decoder<S> {
-    decoder: Option<ContentDecoder>,
-    stream: S,
-    eof: bool,
-    fut: Option<JoinHandle<Result<(Option<Bytes>, ContentDecoder), io::Error>>>,
+pin_project_lite::pin_project! {
+    pub struct Decoder<S> {
+        decoder: Option<ContentDecoder>,
+        #[pin]
+        stream: S,
+        eof: bool,
+        fut: Option<JoinHandle<Result<(Option<Bytes>, ContentDecoder), io::Error>>>,
+    }
 }
 
 impl<S> Decoder<S>
@@ -41,7 +44,7 @@ where
     pub fn new(stream: S, encoding: ContentEncoding) -> Decoder<S> {
         let decoder = match encoding {
             #[cfg(feature = "compress-brotli")]
-            ContentEncoding::Br => Some(ContentDecoder::Br(Box::new(
+            ContentEncoding::Br => Some(ContentDecoder::Brotli(Box::new(
                 brotli::DecompressorWriter::new(Writer::new(), 8_096),
             ))),
             #[cfg(feature = "compress-gzip")]
@@ -86,42 +89,44 @@ where
 
 impl<S> Stream for Decoder<S>
 where
-    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>> + Unpin,
+    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>>,
 {
     type Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>;
 
-    fn poll_next(mut self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<Option<Self::Item>> {
+    fn poll_next(self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<Option<Self::Item>> {
+        let mut this = self.project();
+
         loop {
-            if let Some(ref mut fut) = self.fut {
+            if let Some(ref mut fut) = this.fut {
                 let (chunk, decoder) =
                     ready!(Pin::new(fut).poll(cx)).map_err(|_| BlockingError)??;
 
-                self.decoder = Some(decoder);
-                self.fut.take();
+                *this.decoder = Some(decoder);
+                this.fut.take();
 
                 if let Some(chunk) = chunk {
                     return Poll::Ready(Some(Ok(chunk)));
                 }
             }
 
-            if self.eof {
+            if *this.eof {
                 return Poll::Ready(None);
             }
 
-            match ready!(Pin::new(&mut self.stream).poll_next(cx)) {
+            match ready!(this.stream.as_mut().poll_next(cx)) {
                 Some(Err(err)) => return Poll::Ready(Some(Err(err))),
 
                 Some(Ok(chunk)) => {
-                    if let Some(mut decoder) = self.decoder.take() {
+                    if let Some(mut decoder) = this.decoder.take() {
                         if chunk.len() < MAX_CHUNK_SIZE_DECODE_IN_PLACE {
                             let chunk = decoder.feed_data(chunk)?;
-                            self.decoder = Some(decoder);
+                            *this.decoder = Some(decoder);
 
                             if let Some(chunk) = chunk {
                                 return Poll::Ready(Some(Ok(chunk)));
                             }
                         } else {
-                            self.fut = Some(spawn_blocking(move || {
+                            *this.fut = Some(spawn_blocking(move || {
                                 let chunk = decoder.feed_data(chunk)?;
                                 Ok((chunk, decoder))
                             }));
@@ -134,9 +139,9 @@ where
                 }
 
                 None => {
-                    self.eof = true;
+                    *this.eof = true;
 
-                    return if let Some(mut decoder) = self.decoder.take() {
+                    return if let Some(mut decoder) = this.decoder.take() {
                         match decoder.feed_eof() {
                             Ok(Some(res)) => Poll::Ready(Some(Ok(res))),
                             Ok(None) => Poll::Ready(None),
@@ -157,7 +162,7 @@ enum ContentDecoder {
     #[cfg(feature = "compress-gzip")]
     Gzip(Box<GzDecoder<Writer>>),
     #[cfg(feature = "compress-brotli")]
-    Br(Box<brotli::DecompressorWriter<Writer>>),
+    Brotli(Box<brotli::DecompressorWriter<Writer>>),
     // We need explicit 'static lifetime here because ZstdDecoder need lifetime
     // argument, and we use `spawn_blocking` in `Decoder::poll_next` that require `FnOnce() -> R + Send + 'static`
     #[cfg(feature = "compress-zstd")]
@@ -168,7 +173,7 @@ impl ContentDecoder {
     fn feed_eof(&mut self) -> io::Result<Option<Bytes>> {
         match self {
             #[cfg(feature = "compress-brotli")]
-            ContentDecoder::Br(ref mut decoder) => match decoder.flush() {
+            ContentDecoder::Brotli(ref mut decoder) => match decoder.flush() {
                 Ok(()) => {
                     let b = decoder.get_mut().take();
 
@@ -226,7 +231,7 @@ impl ContentDecoder {
     fn feed_data(&mut self, data: Bytes) -> io::Result<Option<Bytes>> {
         match self {
             #[cfg(feature = "compress-brotli")]
-            ContentDecoder::Br(ref mut decoder) => match decoder.write_all(&data) {
+            ContentDecoder::Brotli(ref mut decoder) => match decoder.write_all(&data) {
                 Ok(_) => {
                     decoder.flush()?;
                     let b = decoder.get_mut().take();
diff --git a/actix-http/src/encoding/encoder.rs b/actix-http/src/encoding/encoder.rs
index 0008a269e..257c18318 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/encoding/encoder.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/encoding/encoder.rs
@@ -54,25 +54,24 @@ impl<B: MessageBody> Encoder<B> {
     }
 
     pub fn response(encoding: ContentEncoding, head: &mut ResponseHead, body: B) -> Self {
-        let can_encode = !(head.headers().contains_key(&CONTENT_ENCODING)
-            || head.status == StatusCode::SWITCHING_PROTOCOLS
-            || head.status == StatusCode::NO_CONTENT
-            || encoding == ContentEncoding::Identity
-            || encoding == ContentEncoding::Auto);
-
         // no need to compress an empty body
         if matches!(body.size(), BodySize::None) {
             return Self::none();
         }
 
+        let should_encode = !(head.headers().contains_key(&CONTENT_ENCODING)
+            || head.status == StatusCode::SWITCHING_PROTOCOLS
+            || head.status == StatusCode::NO_CONTENT
+            || encoding == ContentEncoding::Identity);
+
         let body = match body.try_into_bytes() {
             Ok(body) => EncoderBody::Full { body },
             Err(body) => EncoderBody::Stream { body },
         };
 
-        if can_encode {
-            // Modify response body only if encoder is set
-            if let Some(enc) = ContentEncoder::encoder(encoding) {
+        if should_encode {
+            // wrap body only if encoder is feature-enabled
+            if let Some(enc) = ContentEncoder::select(encoding) {
                 update_head(encoding, head);
 
                 return Encoder {
@@ -167,6 +166,7 @@ where
         cx: &mut Context<'_>,
     ) -> Poll<Option<Result<Bytes, Self::Error>>> {
         let mut this = self.project();
+
         loop {
             if *this.eof {
                 return Poll::Ready(None);
@@ -250,10 +250,10 @@ where
 }
 
 fn update_head(encoding: ContentEncoding, head: &mut ResponseHead) {
-    head.headers_mut().insert(
-        header::CONTENT_ENCODING,
-        HeaderValue::from_static(encoding.as_str()),
-    );
+    head.headers_mut()
+        .insert(header::CONTENT_ENCODING, encoding.to_header_value());
+    head.headers_mut()
+        .insert(header::VARY, HeaderValue::from_static("accept-encoding"));
 
     head.no_chunking(false);
 }
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ enum ContentEncoder {
     Gzip(GzEncoder<Writer>),
 
     #[cfg(feature = "compress-brotli")]
-    Br(Box<brotli::CompressorWriter<Writer>>),
+    Brotli(Box<brotli::CompressorWriter<Writer>>),
 
     // Wwe need explicit 'static lifetime here because ZstdEncoder needs a lifetime argument and we
     // use `spawn_blocking` in `Encoder::poll_next` that requires `FnOnce() -> R + Send + 'static`.
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ enum ContentEncoder {
 }
 
 impl ContentEncoder {
-    fn encoder(encoding: ContentEncoding) -> Option<Self> {
+    fn select(encoding: ContentEncoding) -> Option<Self> {
         match encoding {
             #[cfg(feature = "compress-gzip")]
             ContentEncoding::Deflate => Some(ContentEncoder::Deflate(ZlibEncoder::new(
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ impl ContentEncoder {
             ))),
 
             #[cfg(feature = "compress-brotli")]
-            ContentEncoding::Br => Some(ContentEncoder::Br(new_brotli_compressor())),
+            ContentEncoding::Brotli => Some(ContentEncoder::Br(new_brotli_compressor())),
 
             #[cfg(feature = "compress-zstd")]
             ContentEncoding::Zstd => {
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ impl ContentEncoder {
         match *self {
             #[cfg(feature = "compress-brotli")]
             // ContentEncoder::Br(ref mut encoder) => encoder.get_mut().take(),
-            ContentEncoder::Br(ref mut encoder) => {
+            ContentEncoder::Brotli(ref mut encoder) => {
                 // `CompressorWriter` has no `get_mut` (yet)
                 let prev = mem::replace(encoder, new_brotli_compressor());
                 prev.into_inner().buf.freeze()
@@ -327,7 +327,7 @@ impl ContentEncoder {
     fn finish(self) -> Result<Bytes, io::Error> {
         match self {
             #[cfg(feature = "compress-brotli")]
-            ContentEncoder::Br(mut encoder) => match encoder.flush() {
+            ContentEncoder::Brotli(mut encoder) => match encoder.flush() {
                 Ok(()) => Ok(encoder.into_inner().buf.freeze()),
                 Err(err) => Err(err),
             },
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ impl ContentEncoder {
     fn write(&mut self, data: &[u8]) -> Result<(), io::Error> {
         match *self {
             #[cfg(feature = "compress-brotli")]
-            ContentEncoder::Br(ref mut encoder) => match encoder.write_all(data) {
+            ContentEncoder::Brotli(ref mut encoder) => match encoder.write_all(data) {
                 Ok(_) => Ok(()),
                 Err(err) => {
                     trace!("Error decoding br encoding: {}", err);
diff --git a/actix-http/src/error.rs b/actix-http/src/error.rs
index 3d2a918f4..cdf495c45 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/error.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/error.rs
@@ -250,6 +250,7 @@ impl From<ParseError> for Response<BoxBody> {
 /// A set of errors that can occur running blocking tasks in thread pool.
 #[derive(Debug, Display, Error)]
 #[display(fmt = "Blocking thread pool is gone")]
+// TODO: non-exhaustive
 pub struct BlockingError;
 
 /// A set of errors that can occur during payload parsing.
diff --git a/actix-http/src/h1/dispatcher.rs b/actix-http/src/h1/dispatcher.rs
index 5c0cb64af..13055f08a 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/h1/dispatcher.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/h1/dispatcher.rs
@@ -646,10 +646,11 @@ where
                                     Payload is attached to Request and passed to Service::call
                                     where the state can be collected and consumed.
                                     */
-                                    let (ps, pl) = Payload::create(false);
-                                    let (req1, _) = req.replace_payload(crate::Payload::H1(pl));
+                                    let (sender, payload) = Payload::create(false);
+                                    let (req1, _) =
+                                        req.replace_payload(crate::Payload::H1 { payload });
                                     req = req1;
-                                    *this.payload = Some(ps);
+                                    *this.payload = Some(sender);
                                 }
 
                                 // Request has no payload.
diff --git a/actix-http/src/h1/payload.rs b/actix-http/src/h1/payload.rs
index f912e0ba3..4d031c15a 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/h1/payload.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/h1/payload.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,12 @@
 //! Payload stream
-use std::cell::RefCell;
-use std::collections::VecDeque;
-use std::pin::Pin;
-use std::rc::{Rc, Weak};
-use std::task::{Context, Poll, Waker};
+
+use std::{
+    cell::RefCell,
+    collections::VecDeque,
+    pin::Pin,
+    rc::{Rc, Weak},
+    task::{Context, Poll, Waker},
+};
 
 use bytes::Bytes;
 use futures_core::Stream;
@@ -22,39 +25,32 @@ pub enum PayloadStatus {
 
 /// Buffered stream of bytes chunks
 ///
-/// Payload stores chunks in a vector. First chunk can be received with
-/// `.readany()` method. Payload stream is not thread safe. Payload does not
-/// notify current task when new data is available.
+/// Payload stores chunks in a vector. First chunk can be received with `poll_next`. Payload does
+/// not notify current task when new data is available.
 ///
-/// Payload stream can be used as `Response` body stream.
+/// Payload can be used as `Response` body stream.
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct Payload {
     inner: Rc<RefCell<Inner>>,
 }
 
 impl Payload {
-    /// Create payload stream.
+    /// Creates a payload stream.
     ///
-    /// This method construct two objects responsible for bytes stream
-    /// generation.
-    ///
-    /// * `PayloadSender` - *Sender* side of the stream
-    ///
-    /// * `Payload` - *Receiver* side of the stream
+    /// This method construct two objects responsible for bytes stream generation:
+    /// - `PayloadSender` - *Sender* side of the stream
+    /// - `Payload` - *Receiver* side of the stream
     pub fn create(eof: bool) -> (PayloadSender, Payload) {
         let shared = Rc::new(RefCell::new(Inner::new(eof)));
 
         (
-            PayloadSender {
-                inner: Rc::downgrade(&shared),
-            },
+            PayloadSender::new(Rc::downgrade(&shared)),
             Payload { inner: shared },
         )
     }
 
-    /// Create empty payload
-    #[doc(hidden)]
-    pub fn empty() -> Payload {
+    /// Creates an empty payload.
+    pub(crate) fn empty() -> Payload {
         Payload {
             inner: Rc::new(RefCell::new(Inner::new(true))),
         }
@@ -77,14 +73,6 @@ impl Payload {
     pub fn unread_data(&mut self, data: Bytes) {
         self.inner.borrow_mut().unread_data(data);
     }
-
-    #[inline]
-    pub fn readany(
-        &mut self,
-        cx: &mut Context<'_>,
-    ) -> Poll<Option<Result<Bytes, PayloadError>>> {
-        self.inner.borrow_mut().readany(cx)
-    }
 }
 
 impl Stream for Payload {
@@ -94,7 +82,7 @@ impl Stream for Payload {
         self: Pin<&mut Self>,
         cx: &mut Context<'_>,
     ) -> Poll<Option<Result<Bytes, PayloadError>>> {
-        self.inner.borrow_mut().readany(cx)
+        Pin::new(&mut *self.inner.borrow_mut()).poll_next(cx)
     }
 }
 
@@ -104,6 +92,10 @@ pub struct PayloadSender {
 }
 
 impl PayloadSender {
+    fn new(inner: Weak<RefCell<Inner>>) -> Self {
+        Self { inner }
+    }
+
     #[inline]
     pub fn set_error(&mut self, err: PayloadError) {
         if let Some(shared) = self.inner.upgrade() {
@@ -227,7 +219,10 @@ impl Inner {
         self.len
     }
 
-    fn readany(&mut self, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<Option<Result<Bytes, PayloadError>>> {
+    fn poll_next(
+        mut self: Pin<&mut Self>,
+        cx: &mut Context<'_>,
+    ) -> Poll<Option<Result<Bytes, PayloadError>>> {
         if let Some(data) = self.items.pop_front() {
             self.len -= data.len();
             self.need_read = self.len < MAX_BUFFER_SIZE;
@@ -257,8 +252,18 @@ impl Inner {
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
-    use super::*;
+    use std::panic::{RefUnwindSafe, UnwindSafe};
+
     use actix_utils::future::poll_fn;
+    use static_assertions::{assert_impl_all, assert_not_impl_any};
+
+    use super::*;
+
+    assert_impl_all!(Payload: Unpin);
+    assert_not_impl_any!(Payload: Send, Sync, UnwindSafe, RefUnwindSafe);
+
+    assert_impl_all!(Inner: Unpin, Send, Sync);
+    assert_not_impl_any!(Inner: UnwindSafe, RefUnwindSafe);
 
     #[actix_rt::test]
     async fn test_unread_data() {
@@ -270,7 +275,10 @@ mod tests {
 
         assert_eq!(
             Bytes::from("data"),
-            poll_fn(|cx| payload.readany(cx)).await.unwrap().unwrap()
+            poll_fn(|cx| Pin::new(&mut payload).poll_next(cx))
+                .await
+                .unwrap()
+                .unwrap()
         );
     }
 }
diff --git a/actix-http/src/h1/utils.rs b/actix-http/src/h1/utils.rs
index 131c7f1ed..5c11b1dab 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/h1/utils.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/h1/utils.rs
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ where
 impl<T, B> Future for SendResponse<T, B>
 where
     T: AsyncRead + AsyncWrite + Unpin,
-    B: MessageBody + Unpin,
+    B: MessageBody,
     B::Error: Into<Error>,
 {
     type Output = Result<Framed<T, Codec>, Error>;
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ where
                             // body is done when item is None
                             body_done = item.is_none();
                             if body_done {
-                                let _ = this.body.take();
+                                this.body.set(None);
                             }
                             let framed = this.framed.as_mut().as_pin_mut().unwrap();
                             framed
diff --git a/actix-http/src/h2/dispatcher.rs b/actix-http/src/h2/dispatcher.rs
index 8fbefe6de..a90eb3466 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/h2/dispatcher.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/h2/dispatcher.rs
@@ -108,8 +108,8 @@ where
             match Pin::new(&mut this.connection).poll_accept(cx)? {
                 Poll::Ready(Some((req, tx))) => {
                     let (parts, body) = req.into_parts();
-                    let pl = crate::h2::Payload::new(body);
-                    let pl = Payload::H2(pl);
+                    let payload = crate::h2::Payload::new(body);
+                    let pl = Payload::H2 { payload };
                     let mut req = Request::with_payload(pl);
 
                     let head = req.head_mut();
@@ -288,9 +288,11 @@ fn prepare_response(
     let _ = match size {
         BodySize::None | BodySize::Stream => None,
 
-        BodySize::Sized(0) => res
-            .headers_mut()
-            .insert(CONTENT_LENGTH, HeaderValue::from_static("0")),
+        BodySize::Sized(0) => {
+            #[allow(clippy::declare_interior_mutable_const)]
+            const HV_ZERO: HeaderValue = HeaderValue::from_static("0");
+            res.headers_mut().insert(CONTENT_LENGTH, HV_ZERO)
+        }
 
         BodySize::Sized(len) => {
             let mut buf = itoa::Buffer::new();
diff --git a/actix-http/src/h2/mod.rs b/actix-http/src/h2/mod.rs
index cbcb6d0fc..47d51b420 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/h2/mod.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/h2/mod.rs
@@ -98,3 +98,14 @@ where
         }
     }
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use std::panic::{RefUnwindSafe, UnwindSafe};
+
+    use static_assertions::assert_impl_all;
+
+    use super::*;
+
+    assert_impl_all!(Payload: Unpin, Send, Sync, UnwindSafe, RefUnwindSafe);
+}
diff --git a/actix-http/src/header/map.rs b/actix-http/src/header/map.rs
index 478867ed0..33fb262c4 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/header/map.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/header/map.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ use ahash::AHashMap;
 use http::header::{HeaderName, HeaderValue};
 use smallvec::{smallvec, SmallVec};
 
-use crate::header::AsHeaderName;
+use super::AsHeaderName;
 
 /// A multi-map of HTTP headers.
 ///
@@ -605,6 +605,13 @@ impl<'a> IntoIterator for &'a HeaderMap {
     }
 }
 
+/// Convert `http::HeaderMap` to our `HeaderMap`.
+impl From<http::HeaderMap> for HeaderMap {
+    fn from(mut map: http::HeaderMap) -> HeaderMap {
+        HeaderMap::from_drain(map.drain())
+    }
+}
+
 /// Iterator over removed, owned values with the same associated name.
 ///
 /// Returned from methods that remove or replace items. See [`HeaderMap::insert`]
diff --git a/actix-http/src/header/mod.rs b/actix-http/src/header/mod.rs
index dd4f06106..5f352fc12 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/header/mod.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/header/mod.rs
@@ -50,20 +50,13 @@ pub use self::utils::{
 
 /// An interface for types that already represent a valid header.
 pub trait Header: TryIntoHeaderValue {
-    /// Returns the name of the header field
+    /// Returns the name of the header field.
     fn name() -> HeaderName;
 
-    /// Parse a header
+    /// Parse the header from a HTTP message.
     fn parse<M: HttpMessage>(msg: &M) -> Result<Self, ParseError>;
 }
 
-/// Convert `http::HeaderMap` to our `HeaderMap`.
-impl From<http::HeaderMap> for HeaderMap {
-    fn from(mut map: http::HeaderMap) -> HeaderMap {
-        HeaderMap::from_drain(map.drain())
-    }
-}
-
 /// This encode set is used for HTTP header values and is defined at
 /// <https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc5987#section-3.2>.
 pub(crate) const HTTP_VALUE: &AsciiSet = &CONTROLS
diff --git a/actix-http/src/header/shared/content_encoding.rs b/actix-http/src/header/shared/content_encoding.rs
index a6e52138d..bd25de704 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/header/shared/content_encoding.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/header/shared/content_encoding.rs
@@ -20,14 +20,16 @@ pub struct ContentEncodingParseError;
 /// See [IANA HTTP Content Coding Registry].
 ///
 /// [IANA HTTP Content Coding Registry]: https://www.iana.org/assignments/http-parameters/http-parameters.xhtml
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq)]
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
 #[non_exhaustive]
 pub enum ContentEncoding {
-    /// Automatically select encoding based on encoding negotiation.
-    Auto,
+    /// Indicates the no-op identity encoding.
+    ///
+    /// I.e., no compression or modification.
+    Identity,
 
     /// A format using the Brotli algorithm.
-    Br,
+    Brotli,
 
     /// A format using the zlib structure with deflate algorithm.
     Deflate,
@@ -37,32 +39,36 @@ pub enum ContentEncoding {
 
     /// Zstd algorithm.
     Zstd,
-
-    /// Indicates the identity function (i.e. no compression, nor modification).
-    Identity,
 }
 
 impl ContentEncoding {
-    /// Is the content compressed?
-    #[inline]
-    pub fn is_compression(self) -> bool {
-        matches!(self, ContentEncoding::Identity | ContentEncoding::Auto)
-    }
-
     /// Convert content encoding to string.
     #[inline]
-    pub fn as_str(self) -> &'static str {
+    pub const fn as_str(self) -> &'static str {
         match self {
-            ContentEncoding::Br => "br",
+            ContentEncoding::Brotli => "br",
             ContentEncoding::Gzip => "gzip",
             ContentEncoding::Deflate => "deflate",
             ContentEncoding::Zstd => "zstd",
-            ContentEncoding::Identity | ContentEncoding::Auto => "identity",
+            ContentEncoding::Identity => "identity",
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Convert content encoding to header value.
+    #[inline]
+    pub const fn to_header_value(self) -> HeaderValue {
+        match self {
+            ContentEncoding::Brotli => HeaderValue::from_static("br"),
+            ContentEncoding::Gzip => HeaderValue::from_static("gzip"),
+            ContentEncoding::Deflate => HeaderValue::from_static("deflate"),
+            ContentEncoding::Zstd => HeaderValue::from_static("zstd"),
+            ContentEncoding::Identity => HeaderValue::from_static("identity"),
         }
     }
 }
 
 impl Default for ContentEncoding {
+    #[inline]
     fn default() -> Self {
         Self::Identity
     }
@@ -71,16 +77,18 @@ impl Default for ContentEncoding {
 impl FromStr for ContentEncoding {
     type Err = ContentEncodingParseError;
 
-    fn from_str(val: &str) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
-        let val = val.trim();
+    fn from_str(enc: &str) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
+        let enc = enc.trim();
 
-        if val.eq_ignore_ascii_case("br") {
-            Ok(ContentEncoding::Br)
-        } else if val.eq_ignore_ascii_case("gzip") {
+        if enc.eq_ignore_ascii_case("br") {
+            Ok(ContentEncoding::Brotli)
+        } else if enc.eq_ignore_ascii_case("gzip") {
             Ok(ContentEncoding::Gzip)
-        } else if val.eq_ignore_ascii_case("deflate") {
+        } else if enc.eq_ignore_ascii_case("deflate") {
             Ok(ContentEncoding::Deflate)
-        } else if val.eq_ignore_ascii_case("zstd") {
+        } else if enc.eq_ignore_ascii_case("identity") {
+            Ok(ContentEncoding::Identity)
+        } else if enc.eq_ignore_ascii_case("zstd") {
             Ok(ContentEncoding::Zstd)
         } else {
             Err(ContentEncodingParseError)
diff --git a/actix-http/src/header/shared/quality.rs b/actix-http/src/header/shared/quality.rs
index c2f08edc2..c80dd0a8e 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/header/shared/quality.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/header/shared/quality.rs
@@ -27,7 +27,8 @@ const MAX_QUALITY_FLOAT: f32 = 1.0;
 ///
 /// assert_eq!(q(0.42).to_string(), "0.42");
 /// assert_eq!(q(1.0).to_string(), "1");
-/// assert_eq!(Quality::MIN.to_string(), "0");
+/// assert_eq!(Quality::MIN.to_string(), "0.001");
+/// assert_eq!(Quality::ZERO.to_string(), "0");
 /// ```
 ///
 /// [RFC 7231 §5.3.1]: https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc7231#section-5.3.1
@@ -38,8 +39,11 @@ impl Quality {
     /// The maximum quality value, equivalent to `q=1.0`.
     pub const MAX: Quality = Quality(MAX_QUALITY_INT);
 
-    /// The minimum quality value, equivalent to `q=0.0`.
-    pub const MIN: Quality = Quality(0);
+    /// The minimum, non-zero quality value, equivalent to `q=0.001`.
+    pub const MIN: Quality = Quality(1);
+
+    /// The zero quality value, equivalent to `q=0.0`.
+    pub const ZERO: Quality = Quality(0);
 
     /// Converts a float in the range 0.0–1.0 to a `Quality`.
     ///
@@ -51,7 +55,7 @@ impl Quality {
         // Check that `value` is within range should be done before calling this method.
         // Just in case, this debug_assert should catch if we were forgetful.
         debug_assert!(
-            (0.0f32..=1.0f32).contains(&value),
+            (0.0..=MAX_QUALITY_FLOAT).contains(&value),
             "q value must be between 0.0 and 1.0"
         );
 
@@ -154,10 +158,13 @@ impl TryFrom<f32> for Quality {
 /// let q1 = q(1.0);
 /// assert_eq!(q1, Quality::MAX);
 ///
-/// let q2 = q(0.0);
+/// let q2 = q(0.001);
 /// assert_eq!(q2, Quality::MIN);
 ///
-/// let q3 = q(0.42);
+/// let q3 = q(0.0);
+/// assert_eq!(q3, Quality::ZERO);
+///
+/// let q4 = q(0.42);
 /// ```
 ///
 /// An out-of-range `f32` quality will panic.
@@ -185,6 +192,10 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn display_output() {
+        assert_eq!(Quality::ZERO.to_string(), "0");
+        assert_eq!(Quality::MIN.to_string(), "0.001");
+        assert_eq!(Quality::MAX.to_string(), "1");
+
         assert_eq!(q(0.0).to_string(), "0");
         assert_eq!(q(1.0).to_string(), "1");
         assert_eq!(q(0.001).to_string(), "0.001");
diff --git a/actix-http/src/header/shared/quality_item.rs b/actix-http/src/header/shared/quality_item.rs
index c9eee7d9d..71a3bdd53 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/header/shared/quality_item.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/header/shared/quality_item.rs
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ use super::Quality;
 /// let q_item_fallback: QualityItem<String> = "abc;q=0.1".parse().unwrap();
 /// assert!(q_item > q_item_fallback);
 /// ```
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub struct QualityItem<T> {
     /// The wrapped contents of the field.
     pub item: T,
@@ -53,10 +53,15 @@ impl<T> QualityItem<T> {
         Self::new(item, Quality::MAX)
     }
 
-    /// Constructs a new `QualityItem` from an item, using the minimum q-value.
+    /// Constructs a new `QualityItem` from an item, using the minimum, non-zero q-value.
     pub fn min(item: T) -> Self {
         Self::new(item, Quality::MIN)
     }
+
+    /// Constructs a new `QualityItem` from an item, using zero q-value of zero.
+    pub fn zero(item: T) -> Self {
+        Self::new(item, Quality::ZERO)
+    }
 }
 
 impl<T: PartialEq> PartialOrd for QualityItem<T> {
@@ -73,7 +78,10 @@ impl<T: fmt::Display> fmt::Display for QualityItem<T> {
             // q-factor value is implied for max value
             Quality::MAX => Ok(()),
 
-            Quality::MIN => f.write_str("; q=0"),
+            // fast path for zero
+            Quality::ZERO => f.write_str("; q=0"),
+
+            // quality formatting is already using itoa
             q => write!(f, "; q={}", q),
         }
     }
diff --git a/actix-http/src/lib.rs b/actix-http/src/lib.rs
index 2b7bc730b..f2b415790 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/lib.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/lib.rs
@@ -58,7 +58,8 @@ pub use self::header::ContentEncoding;
 pub use self::http_message::HttpMessage;
 pub use self::message::ConnectionType;
 pub use self::message::Message;
-pub use self::payload::{Payload, PayloadStream};
+#[allow(deprecated)]
+pub use self::payload::{BoxedPayloadStream, Payload, PayloadStream};
 pub use self::requests::{Request, RequestHead, RequestHeadType};
 pub use self::responses::{Response, ResponseBuilder, ResponseHead};
 pub use self::service::HttpService;
diff --git a/actix-http/src/message.rs b/actix-http/src/message.rs
index 34213f68a..ecd08fbb3 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/message.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/message.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use std::{cell::RefCell, rc::Rc};
+use std::{cell::RefCell, ops, rc::Rc};
 
 use bitflags::bitflags;
 
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ impl<T: Head> Message<T> {
     }
 }
 
-impl<T: Head> std::ops::Deref for Message<T> {
+impl<T: Head> ops::Deref for Message<T> {
     type Target = T;
 
     fn deref(&self) -> &Self::Target {
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ impl<T: Head> std::ops::Deref for Message<T> {
     }
 }
 
-impl<T: Head> std::ops::DerefMut for Message<T> {
+impl<T: Head> ops::DerefMut for Message<T> {
     fn deref_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Self::Target {
         Rc::get_mut(&mut self.head).expect("Multiple copies exist")
     }
diff --git a/actix-http/src/payload.rs b/actix-http/src/payload.rs
index 69840e7c1..c9f338c7d 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/payload.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/payload.rs
@@ -1,70 +1,89 @@
 use std::{
+    mem,
     pin::Pin,
     task::{Context, Poll},
 };
 
 use bytes::Bytes;
 use futures_core::Stream;
-use h2::RecvStream;
 
 use crate::error::PayloadError;
 
-// TODO: rename to boxed payload
-/// A boxed payload.
-pub type PayloadStream = Pin<Box<dyn Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>>>>;
+/// A boxed payload stream.
+pub type BoxedPayloadStream = Pin<Box<dyn Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>>>>;
 
-/// A streaming payload.
-pub enum Payload<S = PayloadStream> {
-    None,
-    H1(crate::h1::Payload),
-    H2(crate::h2::Payload),
-    Stream(S),
+#[deprecated(since = "4.0.0", note = "Renamed to `BoxedPayloadStream`.")]
+pub type PayloadStream = BoxedPayloadStream;
+
+pin_project_lite::pin_project! {
+    /// A streaming payload.
+    #[project = PayloadProj]
+    pub enum Payload<S = BoxedPayloadStream> {
+        None,
+        H1 { payload: crate::h1::Payload },
+        H2 { payload: crate::h2::Payload },
+        Stream { #[pin] payload: S },
+    }
 }
 
 impl<S> From<crate::h1::Payload> for Payload<S> {
-    fn from(v: crate::h1::Payload) -> Self {
-        Payload::H1(v)
+    fn from(payload: crate::h1::Payload) -> Self {
+        Payload::H1 { payload }
     }
 }
 
 impl<S> From<crate::h2::Payload> for Payload<S> {
-    fn from(v: crate::h2::Payload) -> Self {
-        Payload::H2(v)
+    fn from(payload: crate::h2::Payload) -> Self {
+        Payload::H2 { payload }
     }
 }
 
-impl<S> From<RecvStream> for Payload<S> {
-    fn from(v: RecvStream) -> Self {
-        Payload::H2(crate::h2::Payload::new(v))
+impl<S> From<h2::RecvStream> for Payload<S> {
+    fn from(stream: h2::RecvStream) -> Self {
+        Payload::H2 {
+            payload: crate::h2::Payload::new(stream),
+        }
     }
 }
 
-impl From<PayloadStream> for Payload {
-    fn from(pl: PayloadStream) -> Self {
-        Payload::Stream(pl)
+impl From<BoxedPayloadStream> for Payload {
+    fn from(payload: BoxedPayloadStream) -> Self {
+        Payload::Stream { payload }
     }
 }
 
 impl<S> Payload<S> {
     /// Takes current payload and replaces it with `None` value
     pub fn take(&mut self) -> Payload<S> {
-        std::mem::replace(self, Payload::None)
+        mem::replace(self, Payload::None)
     }
 }
 
 impl<S> Stream for Payload<S>
 where
-    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>> + Unpin,
+    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>>,
 {
     type Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>;
 
     #[inline]
     fn poll_next(self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<Option<Self::Item>> {
-        match self.get_mut() {
-            Payload::None => Poll::Ready(None),
-            Payload::H1(ref mut pl) => pl.readany(cx),
-            Payload::H2(ref mut pl) => Pin::new(pl).poll_next(cx),
-            Payload::Stream(ref mut pl) => Pin::new(pl).poll_next(cx),
+        match self.project() {
+            PayloadProj::None => Poll::Ready(None),
+            PayloadProj::H1 { payload } => Pin::new(payload).poll_next(cx),
+            PayloadProj::H2 { payload } => Pin::new(payload).poll_next(cx),
+            PayloadProj::Stream { payload } => payload.poll_next(cx),
         }
     }
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use std::panic::{RefUnwindSafe, UnwindSafe};
+
+    use static_assertions::{assert_impl_all, assert_not_impl_any};
+
+    use super::*;
+
+    assert_impl_all!(Payload: Unpin);
+    assert_not_impl_any!(Payload: Send, Sync, UnwindSafe, RefUnwindSafe);
+}
diff --git a/actix-http/src/requests/request.rs b/actix-http/src/requests/request.rs
index 0254a8f11..4eaaba8e1 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/requests/request.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/requests/request.rs
@@ -10,11 +10,12 @@ use std::{
 use http::{header, Method, Uri, Version};
 
 use crate::{
-    header::HeaderMap, Extensions, HttpMessage, Message, Payload, PayloadStream, RequestHead,
+    header::HeaderMap, BoxedPayloadStream, Extensions, HttpMessage, Message, Payload,
+    RequestHead,
 };
 
 /// An HTTP request.
-pub struct Request<P = PayloadStream> {
+pub struct Request<P = BoxedPayloadStream> {
     pub(crate) payload: Payload<P>,
     pub(crate) head: Message<RequestHead>,
     pub(crate) conn_data: Option<Rc<Extensions>>,
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ impl<P> HttpMessage for Request<P> {
     }
 }
 
-impl From<Message<RequestHead>> for Request<PayloadStream> {
+impl From<Message<RequestHead>> for Request<BoxedPayloadStream> {
     fn from(head: Message<RequestHead>) -> Self {
         Request {
             head,
@@ -57,10 +58,10 @@ impl From<Message<RequestHead>> for Request<PayloadStream> {
     }
 }
 
-impl Request<PayloadStream> {
+impl Request<BoxedPayloadStream> {
     /// Create new Request instance
     #[allow(clippy::new_without_default)]
-    pub fn new() -> Request<PayloadStream> {
+    pub fn new() -> Request<BoxedPayloadStream> {
         Request {
             head: Message::new(),
             payload: Payload::None,
diff --git a/actix-http/src/test.rs b/actix-http/src/test.rs
index ea80345fe..1f76498ef 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/test.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/test.rs
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ impl TestRequest {
     }
 
     /// Set request payload.
-    pub fn set_payload<B: Into<Bytes>>(&mut self, data: B) -> &mut Self {
+    pub fn set_payload(&mut self, data: impl Into<Bytes>) -> &mut Self {
         let mut payload = crate::h1::Payload::empty();
         payload.unread_data(data.into());
         parts(&mut self.0).payload = Some(payload.into());
diff --git a/actix-http/src/ws/mod.rs b/actix-http/src/ws/mod.rs
index 6491da149..568d801a2 100644
--- a/actix-http/src/ws/mod.rs
+++ b/actix-http/src/ws/mod.rs
@@ -99,8 +99,9 @@ impl From<HandshakeError> for Response<BoxBody> {
         match err {
             HandshakeError::GetMethodRequired => {
                 let mut res = Response::new(StatusCode::METHOD_NOT_ALLOWED);
-                res.headers_mut()
-                    .insert(header::ALLOW, HeaderValue::from_static("GET"));
+                #[allow(clippy::declare_interior_mutable_const)]
+                const HV_GET: HeaderValue = HeaderValue::from_static("GET");
+                res.headers_mut().insert(header::ALLOW, HV_GET);
                 res
             }
 
diff --git a/actix-http/tests/test_rustls.rs b/actix-http/tests/test_rustls.rs
index 42ff0dba1..51fefae72 100644
--- a/actix-http/tests/test_rustls.rs
+++ b/actix-http/tests/test_rustls.rs
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ use std::{
     io::{self, BufReader, Write},
     net::{SocketAddr, TcpStream as StdTcpStream},
     sync::Arc,
+    task::Poll,
 };
 
 use actix_http::{
@@ -16,25 +17,37 @@ use actix_http::{
     Error, HttpService, Method, Request, Response, StatusCode, Version,
 };
 use actix_http_test::test_server;
+use actix_rt::pin;
 use actix_service::{fn_factory_with_config, fn_service};
 use actix_tls::connect::rustls::webpki_roots_cert_store;
-use actix_utils::future::{err, ok};
+use actix_utils::future::{err, ok, poll_fn};
 use bytes::{Bytes, BytesMut};
 use derive_more::{Display, Error};
-use futures_core::Stream;
-use futures_util::stream::{once, StreamExt as _};
+use futures_core::{ready, Stream};
+use futures_util::stream::once;
 use rustls::{Certificate, PrivateKey, ServerConfig as RustlsServerConfig, ServerName};
 use rustls_pemfile::{certs, pkcs8_private_keys};
 
-async fn load_body<S>(mut stream: S) -> Result<BytesMut, PayloadError>
+async fn load_body<S>(stream: S) -> Result<BytesMut, PayloadError>
 where
-    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>> + Unpin,
+    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>>,
 {
-    let mut body = BytesMut::new();
-    while let Some(item) = stream.next().await {
-        body.extend_from_slice(&item?)
-    }
-    Ok(body)
+    let mut buf = BytesMut::new();
+
+    pin!(stream);
+
+    poll_fn(|cx| loop {
+        let body = stream.as_mut();
+
+        match ready!(body.poll_next(cx)) {
+            Some(Ok(bytes)) => buf.extend_from_slice(&*bytes),
+            None => return Poll::Ready(Ok(())),
+            Some(Err(err)) => return Poll::Ready(Err(err)),
+        }
+    })
+    .await?;
+
+    Ok(buf)
 }
 
 fn tls_config() -> RustlsServerConfig {
diff --git a/actix-multipart/CHANGES.md b/actix-multipart/CHANGES.md
index e58c3ee24..92feade3b 100644
--- a/actix-multipart/CHANGES.md
+++ b/actix-multipart/CHANGES.md
@@ -3,6 +3,14 @@
 ## Unreleased - 2021-xx-xx
 
 
+## 0.4.0-beta.12 - 2022-01-04
+- Minimum supported Rust version (MSRV) is now 1.54.
+
+
+## 0.4.0-beta.11 - 2021-12-27
+- No significant changes since `0.4.0-beta.10`.
+
+
 ## 0.4.0-beta.10 - 2021-12-11
 - No significant changes since `0.4.0-beta.9`.
 
diff --git a/actix-multipart/Cargo.toml b/actix-multipart/Cargo.toml
index 595c14d7e..03a2bdfe2 100644
--- a/actix-multipart/Cargo.toml
+++ b/actix-multipart/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "actix-multipart"
-version = "0.4.0-beta.10"
+version = "0.4.0-beta.12"
 authors = ["Nikolay Kim <fafhrd91@gmail.com>"]
 description = "Multipart form support for Actix Web"
 keywords = ["http", "web", "framework", "async", "futures"]
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ path = "src/lib.rs"
 
 [dependencies]
 actix-utils = "3.0.0"
-actix-web = { version = "4.0.0-beta.15", default-features = false }
+actix-web = { version = "4.0.0-beta.20", default-features = false }
 
 bytes = "1"
 derive_more = "0.99.5"
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ twoway = "0.2"
 
 [dev-dependencies]
 actix-rt = "2.2"
-actix-http = "3.0.0-beta.16"
+actix-http = "3.0.0-beta.18"
 futures-util = { version = "0.3.7", default-features = false, features = ["alloc"] }
-tokio = { version = "1.8", features = ["sync"] }
+tokio = { version = "1.8.4", features = ["sync"] }
 tokio-stream = "0.1"
diff --git a/actix-multipart/README.md b/actix-multipart/README.md
index 647796557..91cd8a6e9 100644
--- a/actix-multipart/README.md
+++ b/actix-multipart/README.md
@@ -3,15 +3,15 @@
 > Multipart form support for Actix Web.
 
 [![crates.io](https://img.shields.io/crates/v/actix-multipart?label=latest)](https://crates.io/crates/actix-multipart)
-[![Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-multipart/badge.svg?version=0.4.0-beta.10)](https://docs.rs/actix-multipart/0.4.0-beta.10)
-[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/rustc-1.52+-ab6000.svg)](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/05/06/Rust-1.52.0.html)
+[![Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-multipart/badge.svg?version=0.4.0-beta.12)](https://docs.rs/actix-multipart/0.4.0-beta.12)
+[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/rustc-1.54+-ab6000.svg)](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/05/06/Rust-1.54.0.html)
 ![MIT or Apache 2.0 licensed](https://img.shields.io/crates/l/actix-multipart.svg)
 <br />
-[![dependency status](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-multipart/0.4.0-beta.10/status.svg)](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-multipart/0.4.0-beta.10)
+[![dependency status](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-multipart/0.4.0-beta.12/status.svg)](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-multipart/0.4.0-beta.12)
 [![Download](https://img.shields.io/crates/d/actix-multipart.svg)](https://crates.io/crates/actix-multipart)
 [![Chat on Discord](https://img.shields.io/discord/771444961383153695?label=chat&logo=discord)](https://discord.gg/NWpN5mmg3x)
 
 ## Documentation & Resources
 
 - [API Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-multipart)
-- Minimum Supported Rust Version (MSRV): 1.52
+- Minimum Supported Rust Version (MSRV): 1.54
diff --git a/actix-multipart/src/server.rs b/actix-multipart/src/server.rs
index 8eabcee10..239f7f905 100644
--- a/actix-multipart/src/server.rs
+++ b/actix-multipart/src/server.rs
@@ -1233,7 +1233,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         // and should not consume the payload
         match payload {
-            actix_web::dev::Payload::H1(_) => {} //expected
+            actix_web::dev::Payload::H1 { .. } => {} //expected
             _ => unreachable!(),
         }
     }
diff --git a/actix-router/CHANGES.md b/actix-router/CHANGES.md
index 0a6a56359..f268ffa9c 100644
--- a/actix-router/CHANGES.md
+++ b/actix-router/CHANGES.md
@@ -3,6 +3,20 @@
 ## Unreleased - 2021-xx-xx
 
 
+## 0.5.0-rc.1 - 2022-01-14
+- `Resource` trait now have an associated type, `Path`, instead of the generic parameter. [#2568]
+- `Resource` is now implemented for `&mut Path<_>` and `RefMut<Path<_>>`. [#2568]
+
+[#2568]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2568
+
+
+## 0.5.0-beta.4 - 2022-01-04
+- `PathDeserializer` now decodes all percent encoded characters in dynamic segments. [#2566]
+- Minimum supported Rust version (MSRV) is now 1.54.
+
+[#2566]: https://github.com/actix/actix-net/pull/2566
+
+
 ## 0.5.0-beta.3 - 2021-12-17
 - Minimum supported Rust version (MSRV) is now 1.52.
 
diff --git a/actix-router/Cargo.toml b/actix-router/Cargo.toml
index c63448bc7..56a755ef4 100644
--- a/actix-router/Cargo.toml
+++ b/actix-router/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "actix-router"
-version = "0.5.0-beta.3"
+version = "0.5.0-rc.1"
 authors = [
     "Nikolay Kim <fafhrd91@gmail.com>",
     "Ali MJ Al-Nasrawy <alimjalnasrawy@gmail.com>",
diff --git a/actix-router/src/de.rs b/actix-router/src/de.rs
index 775c48b8a..27aa49ef2 100644
--- a/actix-router/src/de.rs
+++ b/actix-router/src/de.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,14 @@
+use std::borrow::Cow;
+
 use serde::de::{self, Deserializer, Error as DeError, Visitor};
 use serde::forward_to_deserialize_any;
 
 use crate::path::{Path, PathIter};
-use crate::ResourcePath;
+use crate::{Quoter, ResourcePath};
+
+thread_local! {
+    static FULL_QUOTER: Quoter = Quoter::new(b"+/%", b"");
+}
 
 macro_rules! unsupported_type {
     ($trait_fn:ident, $name:expr) => {
@@ -10,16 +16,13 @@ macro_rules! unsupported_type {
         where
             V: Visitor<'de>,
         {
-            Err(de::value::Error::custom(concat!(
-                "unsupported type: ",
-                $name
-            )))
+            Err(de::Error::custom(concat!("unsupported type: ", $name)))
         }
     };
 }
 
 macro_rules! parse_single_value {
-    ($trait_fn:ident, $visit_fn:ident, $tp:tt) => {
+    ($trait_fn:ident) => {
         fn $trait_fn<V>(self, visitor: V) -> Result<V::Value, Self::Error>
         where
             V: Visitor<'de>,
@@ -33,18 +36,35 @@ macro_rules! parse_single_value {
                     .as_str(),
                 ))
             } else {
-                let v = self.path[0].parse().map_err(|_| {
-                    de::value::Error::custom(format!(
-                        "can not parse {:?} to a {}",
-                        &self.path[0], $tp
-                    ))
-                })?;
-                visitor.$visit_fn(v)
+                Value {
+                    value: &self.path[0],
+                }
+                .$trait_fn(visitor)
             }
         }
     };
 }
 
+macro_rules! parse_value {
+    ($trait_fn:ident, $visit_fn:ident, $tp:tt) => {
+        fn $trait_fn<V>(self, visitor: V) -> Result<V::Value, Self::Error>
+        where
+            V: Visitor<'de>,
+        {
+            let decoded = FULL_QUOTER
+                .with(|q| q.requote(self.value.as_bytes()))
+                .map(Cow::Owned)
+                .unwrap_or(Cow::Borrowed(self.value));
+
+            let v = decoded.parse().map_err(|_| {
+                de::value::Error::custom(format!("can not parse {:?} to a {}", self.value, $tp))
+            })?;
+
+            visitor.$visit_fn(v)
+        }
+    };
+}
+
 pub struct PathDeserializer<'de, T: ResourcePath> {
     path: &'de Path<T>,
 }
@@ -172,23 +192,6 @@ impl<'de, T: ResourcePath + 'de> Deserializer<'de> for PathDeserializer<'de, T>
         }
     }
 
-    fn deserialize_str<V>(self, visitor: V) -> Result<V::Value, Self::Error>
-    where
-        V: Visitor<'de>,
-    {
-        if self.path.segment_count() != 1 {
-            Err(de::value::Error::custom(
-                format!(
-                    "wrong number of parameters: {} expected 1",
-                    self.path.segment_count()
-                )
-                .as_str(),
-            ))
-        } else {
-            visitor.visit_str(&self.path[0])
-        }
-    }
-
     fn deserialize_seq<V>(self, visitor: V) -> Result<V::Value, Self::Error>
     where
         V: Visitor<'de>,
@@ -199,25 +202,26 @@ impl<'de, T: ResourcePath + 'de> Deserializer<'de> for PathDeserializer<'de, T>
     }
 
     unsupported_type!(deserialize_any, "'any'");
-    unsupported_type!(deserialize_bytes, "bytes");
     unsupported_type!(deserialize_option, "Option<T>");
     unsupported_type!(deserialize_identifier, "identifier");
     unsupported_type!(deserialize_ignored_any, "ignored_any");
 
-    parse_single_value!(deserialize_bool, visit_bool, "bool");
-    parse_single_value!(deserialize_i8, visit_i8, "i8");
-    parse_single_value!(deserialize_i16, visit_i16, "i16");
-    parse_single_value!(deserialize_i32, visit_i32, "i32");
-    parse_single_value!(deserialize_i64, visit_i64, "i64");
-    parse_single_value!(deserialize_u8, visit_u8, "u8");
-    parse_single_value!(deserialize_u16, visit_u16, "u16");
-    parse_single_value!(deserialize_u32, visit_u32, "u32");
-    parse_single_value!(deserialize_u64, visit_u64, "u64");
-    parse_single_value!(deserialize_f32, visit_f32, "f32");
-    parse_single_value!(deserialize_f64, visit_f64, "f64");
-    parse_single_value!(deserialize_string, visit_string, "String");
-    parse_single_value!(deserialize_byte_buf, visit_string, "String");
-    parse_single_value!(deserialize_char, visit_char, "char");
+    parse_single_value!(deserialize_bool);
+    parse_single_value!(deserialize_i8);
+    parse_single_value!(deserialize_i16);
+    parse_single_value!(deserialize_i32);
+    parse_single_value!(deserialize_i64);
+    parse_single_value!(deserialize_u8);
+    parse_single_value!(deserialize_u16);
+    parse_single_value!(deserialize_u32);
+    parse_single_value!(deserialize_u64);
+    parse_single_value!(deserialize_f32);
+    parse_single_value!(deserialize_f64);
+    parse_single_value!(deserialize_str);
+    parse_single_value!(deserialize_string);
+    parse_single_value!(deserialize_bytes);
+    parse_single_value!(deserialize_byte_buf);
+    parse_single_value!(deserialize_char);
 }
 
 struct ParamsDeserializer<'de, T: ResourcePath> {
@@ -279,20 +283,6 @@ impl<'de> Deserializer<'de> for Key<'de> {
     }
 }
 
-macro_rules! parse_value {
-    ($trait_fn:ident, $visit_fn:ident, $tp:tt) => {
-        fn $trait_fn<V>(self, visitor: V) -> Result<V::Value, Self::Error>
-        where
-            V: Visitor<'de>,
-        {
-            let v = self.value.parse().map_err(|_| {
-                de::value::Error::custom(format!("can not parse {:?} to a {}", self.value, $tp))
-            })?;
-            visitor.$visit_fn(v)
-        }
-    };
-}
-
 struct Value<'de> {
     value: &'de str,
 }
@@ -311,8 +301,6 @@ impl<'de> Deserializer<'de> for Value<'de> {
     parse_value!(deserialize_u64, visit_u64, "u64");
     parse_value!(deserialize_f32, visit_f32, "f32");
     parse_value!(deserialize_f64, visit_f64, "f64");
-    parse_value!(deserialize_string, visit_string, "String");
-    parse_value!(deserialize_byte_buf, visit_string, "String");
     parse_value!(deserialize_char, visit_char, "char");
 
     fn deserialize_ignored_any<V>(self, visitor: V) -> Result<V::Value, Self::Error>
@@ -340,18 +328,38 @@ impl<'de> Deserializer<'de> for Value<'de> {
         visitor.visit_unit()
     }
 
-    fn deserialize_bytes<V>(self, visitor: V) -> Result<V::Value, Self::Error>
-    where
-        V: Visitor<'de>,
-    {
-        visitor.visit_borrowed_bytes(self.value.as_bytes())
-    }
-
     fn deserialize_str<V>(self, visitor: V) -> Result<V::Value, Self::Error>
     where
         V: Visitor<'de>,
     {
-        visitor.visit_borrowed_str(self.value)
+        match FULL_QUOTER.with(|q| q.requote(self.value.as_bytes())) {
+            Some(s) => visitor.visit_string(s),
+            None => visitor.visit_borrowed_str(self.value),
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn deserialize_bytes<V>(self, visitor: V) -> Result<V::Value, Self::Error>
+    where
+        V: Visitor<'de>,
+    {
+        match FULL_QUOTER.with(|q| q.requote(self.value.as_bytes())) {
+            Some(s) => visitor.visit_byte_buf(s.into()),
+            None => visitor.visit_borrowed_bytes(self.value.as_bytes()),
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn deserialize_byte_buf<V>(self, visitor: V) -> Result<V::Value, Self::Error>
+    where
+        V: Visitor<'de>,
+    {
+        self.deserialize_bytes(visitor)
+    }
+
+    fn deserialize_string<V>(self, visitor: V) -> Result<V::Value, Self::Error>
+    where
+        V: Visitor<'de>,
+    {
+        self.deserialize_str(visitor)
     }
 
     fn deserialize_option<V>(self, visitor: V) -> Result<V::Value, Self::Error>
@@ -497,6 +505,7 @@ mod tests {
     use super::*;
     use crate::path::Path;
     use crate::router::Router;
+    use crate::ResourceDef;
 
     #[derive(Deserialize)]
     struct MyStruct {
@@ -657,6 +666,79 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(format!("{:?}", s).contains("can not parse"));
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn deserialize_path_decode_string() {
+        let rdef = ResourceDef::new("/{key}");
+
+        let mut path = Path::new("/%25");
+        rdef.capture_match_info(&mut path);
+        let de = PathDeserializer::new(&path);
+        let segment: String = serde::Deserialize::deserialize(de).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(segment, "%");
+
+        let mut path = Path::new("/%2F");
+        rdef.capture_match_info(&mut path);
+        let de = PathDeserializer::new(&path);
+        let segment: String = serde::Deserialize::deserialize(de).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(segment, "/")
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn deserialize_path_decode_seq() {
+        let rdef = ResourceDef::new("/{key}/{value}");
+
+        let mut path = Path::new("/%30%25/%30%2F");
+        rdef.capture_match_info(&mut path);
+        let de = PathDeserializer::new(&path);
+        let segment: (String, String) = serde::Deserialize::deserialize(de).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(segment.0, "0%");
+        assert_eq!(segment.1, "0/");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn deserialize_path_decode_map() {
+        #[derive(Deserialize)]
+        struct Vals {
+            key: String,
+            value: String,
+        }
+
+        let rdef = ResourceDef::new("/{key}/{value}");
+
+        let mut path = Path::new("/%25/%2F");
+        rdef.capture_match_info(&mut path);
+        let de = PathDeserializer::new(&path);
+        let vals: Vals = serde::Deserialize::deserialize(de).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(vals.key, "%");
+        assert_eq!(vals.value, "/");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn deserialize_borrowed() {
+        #[derive(Debug, Deserialize)]
+        struct Params<'a> {
+            val: &'a str,
+        }
+
+        let rdef = ResourceDef::new("/{val}");
+
+        let mut path = Path::new("/X");
+        rdef.capture_match_info(&mut path);
+        let de = PathDeserializer::new(&path);
+        let params: Params<'_> = serde::Deserialize::deserialize(de).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(params.val, "X");
+        let de = PathDeserializer::new(&path);
+        let params: &str = serde::Deserialize::deserialize(de).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(params, "X");
+
+        let mut path = Path::new("/%2F");
+        rdef.capture_match_info(&mut path);
+        let de = PathDeserializer::new(&path);
+        assert!(<Params<'_> as serde::Deserialize>::deserialize(de).is_err());
+        let de = PathDeserializer::new(&path);
+        assert!(<&str as serde::Deserialize>::deserialize(de).is_err());
+    }
+
     // #[test]
     // fn test_extract_path_decode() {
     //     let mut router = Router::<()>::default();
diff --git a/actix-router/src/lib.rs b/actix-router/src/lib.rs
index 03f464626..22f294b9d 100644
--- a/actix-router/src/lib.rs
+++ b/actix-router/src/lib.rs
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 mod de;
 mod path;
 mod pattern;
+mod quoter;
 mod resource;
 mod resource_path;
 mod router;
@@ -18,9 +19,10 @@ mod url;
 pub use self::de::PathDeserializer;
 pub use self::path::Path;
 pub use self::pattern::{IntoPatterns, Patterns};
+pub use self::quoter::Quoter;
 pub use self::resource::ResourceDef;
 pub use self::resource_path::{Resource, ResourcePath};
 pub use self::router::{ResourceInfo, Router, RouterBuilder};
 
 #[cfg(feature = "http")]
-pub use self::url::{Quoter, Url};
+pub use self::url::Url;
diff --git a/actix-router/src/path.rs b/actix-router/src/path.rs
index 9af7b0b8b..fc7bb16ac 100644
--- a/actix-router/src/path.rs
+++ b/actix-router/src/path.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 use std::borrow::Cow;
-use std::ops::Index;
+use std::ops::{DerefMut, Index};
 
 use firestorm::profile_method;
 use serde::de;
@@ -213,8 +213,38 @@ impl<T: ResourcePath> Index<usize> for Path<T> {
     }
 }
 
-impl<T: ResourcePath> Resource<T> for Path<T> {
-    fn resource_path(&mut self) -> &mut Self {
+impl<T: ResourcePath> Resource for Path<T> {
+    type Path = T;
+
+    fn resource_path(&mut self) -> &mut Path<Self::Path> {
         self
     }
 }
+
+impl<T, P> Resource for T
+where
+    T: DerefMut<Target = Path<P>>,
+    P: ResourcePath,
+{
+    type Path = P;
+
+    fn resource_path(&mut self) -> &mut Path<Self::Path> {
+        &mut *self
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use std::cell::RefCell;
+
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn deref_impls() {
+        let mut foo = Path::new("/foo");
+        let _ = (&mut foo).resource_path();
+
+        let foo = RefCell::new(foo);
+        let _ = foo.borrow_mut().resource_path();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/actix-router/src/quoter.rs b/actix-router/src/quoter.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..26ecc92cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/actix-router/src/quoter.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,219 @@
+#[allow(dead_code)]
+const GEN_DELIMS: &[u8] = b":/?#[]@";
+
+#[allow(dead_code)]
+const SUB_DELIMS_WITHOUT_QS: &[u8] = b"!$'()*,";
+
+#[allow(dead_code)]
+const SUB_DELIMS: &[u8] = b"!$'()*,+?=;";
+
+#[allow(dead_code)]
+const RESERVED: &[u8] = b":/?#[]@!$'()*,+?=;";
+
+#[allow(dead_code)]
+const UNRESERVED: &[u8] = b"abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
+    ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
+    1234567890
+    -._~";
+
+const ALLOWED: &[u8] = b"abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
+    ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
+    1234567890
+    -._~
+    !$'()*,";
+
+const QS: &[u8] = b"+&=;b";
+
+/// A quoter
+pub struct Quoter {
+    /// Simple bit-map of safe values in the 0-127 ASCII range.
+    safe_table: [u8; 16],
+
+    /// Simple bit-map of protected values in the 0-127 ASCII range.
+    protected_table: [u8; 16],
+}
+
+impl Quoter {
+    pub fn new(safe: &[u8], protected: &[u8]) -> Quoter {
+        let mut quoter = Quoter {
+            safe_table: [0; 16],
+            protected_table: [0; 16],
+        };
+
+        // prepare safe table
+        for ch in 0..128 {
+            if ALLOWED.contains(&ch) {
+                set_bit(&mut quoter.safe_table, ch);
+            }
+
+            if QS.contains(&ch) {
+                set_bit(&mut quoter.safe_table, ch);
+            }
+        }
+
+        for &ch in safe {
+            set_bit(&mut quoter.safe_table, ch)
+        }
+
+        // prepare protected table
+        for &ch in protected {
+            set_bit(&mut quoter.safe_table, ch);
+            set_bit(&mut quoter.protected_table, ch);
+        }
+
+        quoter
+    }
+
+    /// Re-quotes... ?
+    ///
+    /// Returns `None` when no modification to the original string was required.
+    pub fn requote(&self, val: &[u8]) -> Option<String> {
+        let mut has_pct = 0;
+        let mut pct = [b'%', 0, 0];
+        let mut idx = 0;
+        let mut cloned: Option<Vec<u8>> = None;
+
+        let len = val.len();
+
+        while idx < len {
+            let ch = val[idx];
+
+            if has_pct != 0 {
+                pct[has_pct] = val[idx];
+                has_pct += 1;
+
+                if has_pct == 3 {
+                    has_pct = 0;
+                    let buf = cloned.as_mut().unwrap();
+
+                    if let Some(ch) = hex_pair_to_char(pct[1], pct[2]) {
+                        if ch < 128 {
+                            if bit_at(&self.protected_table, ch) {
+                                buf.extend_from_slice(&pct);
+                                idx += 1;
+                                continue;
+                            }
+
+                            if bit_at(&self.safe_table, ch) {
+                                buf.push(ch);
+                                idx += 1;
+                                continue;
+                            }
+                        }
+
+                        buf.push(ch);
+                    } else {
+                        buf.extend_from_slice(&pct[..]);
+                    }
+                }
+            } else if ch == b'%' {
+                has_pct = 1;
+
+                if cloned.is_none() {
+                    let mut c = Vec::with_capacity(len);
+                    c.extend_from_slice(&val[..idx]);
+                    cloned = Some(c);
+                }
+            } else if let Some(ref mut cloned) = cloned {
+                cloned.push(ch)
+            }
+
+            idx += 1;
+        }
+
+        cloned.map(|data| String::from_utf8_lossy(&data).into_owned())
+    }
+}
+
+/// Converts an ASCII character in the hex-encoded set (`0-9`, `A-F`, `a-f`) to its integer
+/// representation from `0x0`–`0xF`.
+///
+/// - `0x30 ('0') => 0x0`
+/// - `0x39 ('9') => 0x9`
+/// - `0x41 ('a') => 0xA`
+/// - `0x61 ('A') => 0xA`
+/// - `0x46 ('f') => 0xF`
+/// - `0x66 ('F') => 0xF`
+fn from_ascii_hex(v: u8) -> Option<u8> {
+    match v {
+        b'0'..=b'9' => Some(v - 0x30),      // ord('0') == 0x30
+        b'A'..=b'F' => Some(v - 0x41 + 10), // ord('A') == 0x41
+        b'a'..=b'f' => Some(v - 0x61 + 10), // ord('a') == 0x61
+        _ => None,
+    }
+}
+
+/// Decode a ASCII hex-encoded pair to an integer.
+///
+/// Returns `None` if either portion of the decoded pair does not evaluate to a valid hex value.
+///
+/// - `0x33 ('3'), 0x30 ('0') => 0x30 ('0')`
+/// - `0x34 ('4'), 0x31 ('1') => 0x41 ('A')`
+/// - `0x36 ('6'), 0x31 ('1') => 0x61 ('a')`
+fn hex_pair_to_char(d1: u8, d2: u8) -> Option<u8> {
+    let (d_high, d_low) = (from_ascii_hex(d1)?, from_ascii_hex(d2)?);
+
+    // left shift high nibble by 4 bits
+    Some(d_high << 4 | d_low)
+}
+
+/// Sets bit in given bit-map to 1=true.
+///
+/// # Panics
+/// Panics if `ch` index is out of bounds.
+fn set_bit(array: &mut [u8], ch: u8) {
+    array[(ch >> 3) as usize] |= 0b1 << (ch & 0b111)
+}
+
+/// Returns true if bit to true in given bit-map.
+///
+/// # Panics
+/// Panics if `ch` index is out of bounds.
+fn bit_at(array: &[u8], ch: u8) -> bool {
+    array[(ch >> 3) as usize] & (0b1 << (ch & 0b111)) != 0
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn hex_encoding() {
+        let hex = b"0123456789abcdefABCDEF";
+
+        for i in 0..256 {
+            let c = i as u8;
+            if hex.contains(&c) {
+                assert!(from_ascii_hex(c).is_some())
+            } else {
+                assert!(from_ascii_hex(c).is_none())
+            }
+        }
+
+        let expected = [
+            0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,
+        ];
+        for i in 0..hex.len() {
+            assert_eq!(from_ascii_hex(hex[i]).unwrap(), expected[i]);
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn custom_quoter() {
+        let q = Quoter::new(b"", b"+");
+        assert_eq!(q.requote(b"/a%25c").unwrap(), "/a%c");
+        assert_eq!(q.requote(b"/a%2Bc").unwrap(), "/a%2Bc");
+
+        let q = Quoter::new(b"%+", b"/");
+        assert_eq!(q.requote(b"/a%25b%2Bc").unwrap(), "/a%b+c");
+        assert_eq!(q.requote(b"/a%2fb").unwrap(), "/a%2fb");
+        assert_eq!(q.requote(b"/a%2Fb").unwrap(), "/a%2Fb");
+        assert_eq!(q.requote(b"/a%0Ab").unwrap(), "/a\nb");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn quoter_no_modification() {
+        let q = Quoter::new(b"", b"");
+        assert_eq!(q.requote(b"/abc/../efg"), None);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/actix-router/src/resource.rs b/actix-router/src/resource.rs
index fa77b1e7b..d39a6b923 100644
--- a/actix-router/src/resource.rs
+++ b/actix-router/src/resource.rs
@@ -29,26 +29,25 @@ const REGEX_FLAGS: &str = "(?s-m)";
 ///
 ///
 /// # Pattern Format and Matching Behavior
-///
 /// Resource pattern is defined as a string of zero or more _segments_ where each segment is
 /// preceded by a slash `/`.
 ///
-/// This means that pattern string __must__ either be empty or begin with a slash (`/`).
-/// This also implies that a trailing slash in pattern defines an empty segment.
-/// For example, the pattern `"/user/"` has two segments: `["user", ""]`
+/// This means that pattern string __must__ either be empty or begin with a slash (`/`). This also
+/// implies that a trailing slash in pattern defines an empty segment. For example, the pattern
+/// `"/user/"` has two segments: `["user", ""]`
 ///
-/// A key point to underhand is that `ResourceDef` matches segments, not strings.
-/// It matches segments individually.
-/// For example, the pattern `/user/` is not considered a prefix for the path `/user/123/456`,
-/// because the second segment doesn't match: `["user", ""]` vs `["user", "123", "456"]`.
+/// A key point to understand is that `ResourceDef` matches segments, not strings. Segments are
+/// matched individually. For example, the pattern `/user/` is not considered a prefix for the path
+/// `/user/123/456`, because the second segment doesn't match: `["user", ""]`
+/// vs `["user", "123", "456"]`.
 ///
 /// This definition is consistent with the definition of absolute URL path in
-/// [RFC 3986 (section 3.3)](https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc3986#section-3.3)
+/// [RFC 3986 §3.3](https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc3986#section-3.3)
 ///
 ///
 /// # Static Resources
-/// A static resource is the most basic type of definition. Pass a pattern to
-/// [new][Self::new]. Conforming paths must match the pattern exactly.
+/// A static resource is the most basic type of definition. Pass a pattern to [new][Self::new].
+/// Conforming paths must match the pattern exactly.
 ///
 /// ## Examples
 /// ```
@@ -63,7 +62,6 @@ const REGEX_FLAGS: &str = "(?s-m)";
 /// assert!(!resource.is_match("/search"));
 /// ```
 ///
-///
 /// # Dynamic Segments
 /// Also known as "path parameters". Resources can define sections of a pattern that be extracted
 /// from a conforming path, if it conforms to (one of) the resource pattern(s).
@@ -102,15 +100,15 @@ const REGEX_FLAGS: &str = "(?s-m)";
 /// assert_eq!(path.get("id").unwrap(), "123");
 /// ```
 ///
-///
 /// # Prefix Resources
 /// A prefix resource is defined as pattern that can match just the start of a path, up to a
 /// segment boundary.
 ///
 /// Prefix patterns with a trailing slash may have an unexpected, though correct, behavior.
-/// They define and therefore require an empty segment in order to match. Examples are given below.
+/// They define and therefore require an empty segment in order to match. It is easier to understand
+/// this behavior after reading the [matching behavior section]. Examples are given below.
 ///
-/// Empty pattern matches any path as a prefix.
+/// The empty pattern (`""`), as a prefix, matches any path.
 ///
 /// Prefix resources can contain dynamic segments.
 ///
@@ -130,7 +128,6 @@ const REGEX_FLAGS: &str = "(?s-m)";
 /// assert!(!resource.is_match("/user/123"));
 /// ```
 ///
-///
 /// # Custom Regex Segments
 /// Dynamic segments can be customised to only match a specific regular expression. It can be
 /// helpful to do this if resource definitions would otherwise conflict and cause one to
@@ -158,7 +155,6 @@ const REGEX_FLAGS: &str = "(?s-m)";
 /// assert!(!resource.is_match("/user/abc"));
 /// ```
 ///
-///
 /// # Tail Segments
 /// As a shortcut to defining a custom regex for matching _all_ remaining characters (not just those
 /// up until a `/` character), there is a special pattern to match (and capture) the remaining
@@ -179,7 +175,6 @@ const REGEX_FLAGS: &str = "(?s-m)";
 /// assert_eq!(path.get("tail").unwrap(), "main/LICENSE");
 /// ```
 ///
-///
 /// # Multi-Pattern Resources
 /// For resources that can map to multiple distinct paths, it may be suitable to use
 /// multi-pattern resources by passing an array/vec to [`new`][Self::new]. They will be combined
@@ -198,7 +193,6 @@ const REGEX_FLAGS: &str = "(?s-m)";
 /// assert!(resource.is_match("/index"));
 /// ```
 ///
-///
 /// # Trailing Slashes
 /// It should be noted that this library takes no steps to normalize intra-path or trailing slashes.
 /// As such, all resource definitions implicitly expect a pre-processing step to normalize paths if
@@ -212,6 +206,8 @@ const REGEX_FLAGS: &str = "(?s-m)";
 /// assert!(!ResourceDef::new("/root/").is_match("/root"));
 /// assert!(!ResourceDef::prefix("/root/").is_match("/root"));
 /// ```
+///
+/// [matching behavior section]: #pattern-format-and-matching-behavior
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
 pub struct ResourceDef {
     id: u16,
@@ -279,7 +275,7 @@ impl ResourceDef {
     /// ```
     pub fn new<T: IntoPatterns>(paths: T) -> Self {
         profile_method!(new);
-        Self::new2(paths, false)
+        Self::construct(paths, false)
     }
 
     /// Constructs a new resource definition using a pattern that performs prefix matching.
@@ -292,7 +288,7 @@ impl ResourceDef {
     /// resource definition with a tail segment; use [`new`][Self::new] in this case.
     ///
     /// # Panics
-    /// Panics if path regex pattern is malformed.
+    /// Panics if path pattern is malformed.
     ///
     /// # Examples
     /// ```
@@ -307,14 +303,14 @@ impl ResourceDef {
     /// ```
     pub fn prefix<T: IntoPatterns>(paths: T) -> Self {
         profile_method!(prefix);
-        ResourceDef::new2(paths, true)
+        ResourceDef::construct(paths, true)
     }
 
     /// Constructs a new resource definition using a string pattern that performs prefix matching,
-    /// inserting a `/` to beginning of the pattern if absent and pattern is not empty.
+    /// ensuring a leading `/` if pattern is not empty.
     ///
     /// # Panics
-    /// Panics if path regex pattern is malformed.
+    /// Panics if path pattern is malformed.
     ///
     /// # Examples
     /// ```
@@ -515,8 +511,8 @@ impl ResourceDef {
             .collect::<Vec<_>>();
 
         match patterns.len() {
-            1 => ResourceDef::new2(&patterns[0], other.is_prefix()),
-            _ => ResourceDef::new2(patterns, other.is_prefix()),
+            1 => ResourceDef::construct(&patterns[0], other.is_prefix()),
+            _ => ResourceDef::construct(patterns, other.is_prefix()),
         }
     }
 
@@ -682,15 +678,14 @@ impl ResourceDef {
     /// assert!(!try_match(&resource, &mut path));
     /// assert_eq!(path.unprocessed(), "/user/admin/stars");
     /// ```
-    pub fn capture_match_info_fn<R, T, F, U>(
+    pub fn capture_match_info_fn<R, F, U>(
         &self,
         resource: &mut R,
         check_fn: F,
         user_data: U,
     ) -> bool
     where
-        R: Resource<T>,
-        T: ResourcePath,
+        R: Resource,
         F: FnOnce(&R, U) -> bool,
     {
         profile_method!(capture_match_info_fn);
@@ -881,8 +876,8 @@ impl ResourceDef {
         }
     }
 
-    fn new2<T: IntoPatterns>(paths: T, is_prefix: bool) -> Self {
-        profile_method!(new2);
+    fn construct<T: IntoPatterns>(paths: T, is_prefix: bool) -> Self {
+        profile_method!(construct);
 
         let patterns = paths.patterns();
         let (pat_type, segments) = match &patterns {
@@ -1814,7 +1809,7 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     #[should_panic]
-    fn prefix_plus_tail_match_is_allowed() {
+    fn prefix_plus_tail_match_disallowed() {
         ResourceDef::prefix("/user/{id}*");
     }
 }
diff --git a/actix-router/src/resource_path.rs b/actix-router/src/resource_path.rs
index 91a7f2f55..00eb0927c 100644
--- a/actix-router/src/resource_path.rs
+++ b/actix-router/src/resource_path.rs
@@ -2,8 +2,11 @@ use crate::Path;
 
 // TODO: this trait is necessary, document it
 // see impl Resource for ServiceRequest
-pub trait Resource<T: ResourcePath> {
-    fn resource_path(&mut self) -> &mut Path<T>;
+pub trait Resource {
+    /// Type of resource's path returned in `resource_path`.
+    type Path: ResourcePath;
+
+    fn resource_path(&mut self) -> &mut Path<Self::Path>;
 }
 
 pub trait ResourcePath {
diff --git a/actix-router/src/router.rs b/actix-router/src/router.rs
index fad1a440b..47940708e 100644
--- a/actix-router/src/router.rs
+++ b/actix-router/src/router.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use firestorm::profile_method;
 
-use crate::{IntoPatterns, Resource, ResourceDef, ResourcePath};
+use crate::{IntoPatterns, Resource, ResourceDef};
 
 #[derive(Debug, Copy, Clone, PartialEq)]
 pub struct ResourceId(pub u16);
@@ -26,10 +26,9 @@ impl<T, U> Router<T, U> {
         }
     }
 
-    pub fn recognize<R, P>(&self, resource: &mut R) -> Option<(&T, ResourceId)>
+    pub fn recognize<R>(&self, resource: &mut R) -> Option<(&T, ResourceId)>
     where
-        R: Resource<P>,
-        P: ResourcePath,
+        R: Resource,
     {
         profile_method!(recognize);
 
@@ -42,10 +41,9 @@ impl<T, U> Router<T, U> {
         None
     }
 
-    pub fn recognize_mut<R, P>(&mut self, resource: &mut R) -> Option<(&mut T, ResourceId)>
+    pub fn recognize_mut<R>(&mut self, resource: &mut R) -> Option<(&mut T, ResourceId)>
     where
-        R: Resource<P>,
-        P: ResourcePath,
+        R: Resource,
     {
         profile_method!(recognize_mut);
 
@@ -58,11 +56,10 @@ impl<T, U> Router<T, U> {
         None
     }
 
-    pub fn recognize_fn<R, P, F>(&self, resource: &mut R, check: F) -> Option<(&T, ResourceId)>
+    pub fn recognize_fn<R, F>(&self, resource: &mut R, check: F) -> Option<(&T, ResourceId)>
     where
         F: Fn(&R, &Option<U>) -> bool,
-        R: Resource<P>,
-        P: ResourcePath,
+        R: Resource,
     {
         profile_method!(recognize_checked);
 
@@ -75,15 +72,14 @@ impl<T, U> Router<T, U> {
         None
     }
 
-    pub fn recognize_mut_fn<R, P, F>(
+    pub fn recognize_mut_fn<R, F>(
         &mut self,
         resource: &mut R,
         check: F,
     ) -> Option<(&mut T, ResourceId)>
     where
         F: Fn(&R, &Option<U>) -> bool,
-        R: Resource<P>,
-        P: ResourcePath,
+        R: Resource,
     {
         profile_method!(recognize_mut_checked);
 
diff --git a/actix-router/src/url.rs b/actix-router/src/url.rs
index 10193dde8..c5a3508aa 100644
--- a/actix-router/src/url.rs
+++ b/actix-router/src/url.rs
@@ -1,40 +1,6 @@
 use crate::ResourcePath;
 
-#[allow(dead_code)]
-const GEN_DELIMS: &[u8] = b":/?#[]@";
-
-#[allow(dead_code)]
-const SUB_DELIMS_WITHOUT_QS: &[u8] = b"!$'()*,";
-
-#[allow(dead_code)]
-const SUB_DELIMS: &[u8] = b"!$'()*,+?=;";
-
-#[allow(dead_code)]
-const RESERVED: &[u8] = b":/?#[]@!$'()*,+?=;";
-
-#[allow(dead_code)]
-const UNRESERVED: &[u8] = b"abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
-    ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
-    1234567890
-    -._~";
-
-const ALLOWED: &[u8] = b"abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
-    ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
-    1234567890
-    -._~
-    !$'()*,";
-
-const QS: &[u8] = b"+&=;b";
-
-#[inline]
-fn bit_at(array: &[u8], ch: u8) -> bool {
-    array[(ch >> 3) as usize] & (1 << (ch & 7)) != 0
-}
-
-#[inline]
-fn set_bit(array: &mut [u8], ch: u8) {
-    array[(ch >> 3) as usize] |= 1 << (ch & 7)
-}
+use crate::Quoter;
 
 thread_local! {
     static DEFAULT_QUOTER: Quoter = Quoter::new(b"@:", b"%/+");
@@ -54,18 +20,20 @@ impl Url {
     }
 
     #[inline]
-    pub fn with_quoter(uri: http::Uri, quoter: &Quoter) -> Url {
+    pub fn new_with_quoter(uri: http::Uri, quoter: &Quoter) -> Url {
         Url {
             path: quoter.requote(uri.path().as_bytes()),
             uri,
         }
     }
 
+    /// Returns URI.
     #[inline]
     pub fn uri(&self) -> &http::Uri {
         &self.uri
     }
 
+    /// Returns path.
     #[inline]
     pub fn path(&self) -> &str {
         match self.path {
@@ -94,113 +62,6 @@ impl ResourcePath for Url {
     }
 }
 
-/// A quoter
-pub struct Quoter {
-    safe_table: [u8; 16],
-    protected_table: [u8; 16],
-}
-
-impl Quoter {
-    pub fn new(safe: &[u8], protected: &[u8]) -> Quoter {
-        let mut quoter = Quoter {
-            safe_table: [0; 16],
-            protected_table: [0; 16],
-        };
-
-        // prepare safe table
-        for i in 0..128 {
-            if ALLOWED.contains(&i) {
-                set_bit(&mut quoter.safe_table, i);
-            }
-            if QS.contains(&i) {
-                set_bit(&mut quoter.safe_table, i);
-            }
-        }
-
-        for ch in safe {
-            set_bit(&mut quoter.safe_table, *ch)
-        }
-
-        // prepare protected table
-        for ch in protected {
-            set_bit(&mut quoter.safe_table, *ch);
-            set_bit(&mut quoter.protected_table, *ch);
-        }
-
-        quoter
-    }
-
-    pub fn requote(&self, val: &[u8]) -> Option<String> {
-        let mut has_pct = 0;
-        let mut pct = [b'%', 0, 0];
-        let mut idx = 0;
-        let mut cloned: Option<Vec<u8>> = None;
-
-        let len = val.len();
-        while idx < len {
-            let ch = val[idx];
-
-            if has_pct != 0 {
-                pct[has_pct] = val[idx];
-                has_pct += 1;
-                if has_pct == 3 {
-                    has_pct = 0;
-                    let buf = cloned.as_mut().unwrap();
-
-                    if let Some(ch) = restore_ch(pct[1], pct[2]) {
-                        if ch < 128 {
-                            if bit_at(&self.protected_table, ch) {
-                                buf.extend_from_slice(&pct);
-                                idx += 1;
-                                continue;
-                            }
-
-                            if bit_at(&self.safe_table, ch) {
-                                buf.push(ch);
-                                idx += 1;
-                                continue;
-                            }
-                        }
-                        buf.push(ch);
-                    } else {
-                        buf.extend_from_slice(&pct[..]);
-                    }
-                }
-            } else if ch == b'%' {
-                has_pct = 1;
-                if cloned.is_none() {
-                    let mut c = Vec::with_capacity(len);
-                    c.extend_from_slice(&val[..idx]);
-                    cloned = Some(c);
-                }
-            } else if let Some(ref mut cloned) = cloned {
-                cloned.push(ch)
-            }
-            idx += 1;
-        }
-
-        cloned.map(|data| String::from_utf8_lossy(&data).into_owned())
-    }
-}
-
-#[inline]
-fn from_hex(v: u8) -> Option<u8> {
-    if (b'0'..=b'9').contains(&v) {
-        Some(v - 0x30) // ord('0') == 0x30
-    } else if (b'A'..=b'F').contains(&v) {
-        Some(v - 0x41 + 10) // ord('A') == 0x41
-    } else if (b'a'..=b'f').contains(&v) {
-        Some(v - 0x61 + 10) // ord('a') == 0x61
-    } else {
-        None
-    }
-}
-
-#[inline]
-fn restore_ch(d1: u8, d2: u8) -> Option<u8> {
-    from_hex(d1).and_then(|d1| from_hex(d2).map(move |d2| d1 << 4 | d2))
-}
-
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use http::Uri;
@@ -229,6 +90,16 @@ mod tests {
 
         let path = match_url(re, "/user/2345/test");
         assert_eq!(path.get("id").unwrap(), "2345");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn protected_chars() {
+        let re = "/user/{id}/test";
+
+        let encoded = percent_encode(PROTECTED);
+        let path = match_url(re, format!("/user/{}/test", encoded));
+        // characters in captured segment remain unencoded
+        assert_eq!(path.get("id").unwrap(), &encoded);
 
         // "%25" should never be decoded into '%' to guarantee the output is a valid
         // percent-encoded format
@@ -239,13 +110,6 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(path.get("id").unwrap(), "qwe%25rty");
     }
 
-    #[test]
-    fn protected_chars() {
-        let encoded = percent_encode(PROTECTED);
-        let path = match_url("/user/{id}/test", format!("/user/{}/test", encoded));
-        assert_eq!(path.get("id").unwrap(), &encoded);
-    }
-
     #[test]
     fn non_protected_ascii() {
         let non_protected_ascii = ('\u{0}'..='\u{7F}')
@@ -273,25 +137,4 @@ mod tests {
         // We should always get a valid utf8 string
         assert!(String::from_utf8(path.path().as_bytes().to_owned()).is_ok());
     }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn hex_encoding() {
-        let hex = b"0123456789abcdefABCDEF";
-
-        for i in 0..256 {
-            let c = i as u8;
-            if hex.contains(&c) {
-                assert!(from_hex(c).is_some())
-            } else {
-                assert!(from_hex(c).is_none())
-            }
-        }
-
-        let expected = [
-            0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,
-        ];
-        for i in 0..hex.len() {
-            assert_eq!(from_hex(hex[i]).unwrap(), expected[i]);
-        }
-    }
 }
diff --git a/actix-test/CHANGES.md b/actix-test/CHANGES.md
index e3deeb3f4..32ab2344f 100644
--- a/actix-test/CHANGES.md
+++ b/actix-test/CHANGES.md
@@ -3,6 +3,14 @@
 ## Unreleased - 2021-xx-xx
 
 
+## 0.1.0-beta.11 - 2022-01-04
+- Minimum supported Rust version (MSRV) is now 1.54.
+
+
+## 0.1.0-beta.10 - 2021-12-27
+- No significant changes since `0.1.0-beta.9`.
+
+
 ## 0.1.0-beta.9 - 2021-12-17
 - Re-export `actix_http::body::to_bytes`. [#2518]
 - Update `actix_web::test` re-exports. [#2518]
diff --git a/actix-test/Cargo.toml b/actix-test/Cargo.toml
index 4a4615820..9bd41ed0c 100644
--- a/actix-test/Cargo.toml
+++ b/actix-test/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "actix-test"
-version = "0.1.0-beta.9"
+version = "0.1.0-beta.11"
 authors = [
     "Nikolay Kim <fafhrd91@gmail.com>",
     "Rob Ede <robjtede@icloud.com>",
@@ -29,13 +29,13 @@ openssl = ["tls-openssl", "actix-http/openssl", "awc/openssl"]
 
 [dependencies]
 actix-codec = "0.4.1"
-actix-http = "3.0.0-beta.16"
-actix-http-test = "3.0.0-beta.9"
+actix-http = "3.0.0-beta.18"
+actix-http-test = "3.0.0-beta.11"
 actix-rt = "2.1"
 actix-service = "2.0.0"
 actix-utils = "3.0.0"
-actix-web = { version = "4.0.0-beta.15", default-features = false, features = ["cookies"] }
-awc = { version = "3.0.0-beta.14", default-features = false, features = ["cookies"] }
+actix-web = { version = "4.0.0-beta.20", default-features = false, features = ["cookies"] }
+awc = { version = "3.0.0-beta.18", default-features = false, features = ["cookies"] }
 
 futures-core = { version = "0.3.7", default-features = false, features = ["std"] }
 futures-util = { version = "0.3.7", default-features = false, features = [] }
@@ -45,4 +45,4 @@ serde_json = "1"
 serde_urlencoded = "0.7"
 tls-openssl = { package = "openssl", version = "0.10.9", optional = true }
 tls-rustls = { package = "rustls", version = "0.20.0", optional = true }
-tokio = { version = "1.8", features = ["sync"] }
+tokio = { version = "1.8.4", features = ["sync"] }
diff --git a/actix-web-actors/CHANGES.md b/actix-web-actors/CHANGES.md
index 6abfe2c61..74ab3c785 100644
--- a/actix-web-actors/CHANGES.md
+++ b/actix-web-actors/CHANGES.md
@@ -3,6 +3,14 @@
 ## Unreleased - 2021-xx-xx
 
 
+## 4.0.0-beta.10 - 2022-01-04
+- Minimum supported Rust version (MSRV) is now 1.54.
+
+
+## 4.0.0-beta.9 - 2021-12-27
+- No significant changes since `4.0.0-beta.8`.
+
+
 ## 4.0.0-beta.8 - 2021-12-11
 - Add `ws:WsResponseBuilder` for building WebSocket session response. [#1920]
 - Deprecate `ws::{start_with_addr, start_with_protocols}`. [#1920]
diff --git a/actix-web-actors/Cargo.toml b/actix-web-actors/Cargo.toml
index d57f139f6..169665ddf 100644
--- a/actix-web-actors/Cargo.toml
+++ b/actix-web-actors/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "actix-web-actors"
-version = "4.0.0-beta.8"
+version = "4.0.0-beta.10"
 authors = ["Nikolay Kim <fafhrd91@gmail.com>"]
 description = "Actix actors support for Actix Web"
 keywords = ["actix", "http", "web", "framework", "async"]
@@ -16,19 +16,19 @@ path = "src/lib.rs"
 [dependencies]
 actix = { version = "0.12.0", default-features = false }
 actix-codec = "0.4.1"
-actix-http = "3.0.0-beta.16"
-actix-web = { version = "4.0.0-beta.15", default-features = false }
+actix-http = "3.0.0-beta.18"
+actix-web = { version = "4.0.0-beta.20", default-features = false }
 
 bytes = "1"
 bytestring = "1"
 futures-core = { version = "0.3.7", default-features = false }
 pin-project-lite = "0.2"
-tokio = { version = "1.8", features = ["sync"] }
+tokio = { version = "1.8.4", features = ["sync"] }
 
 [dev-dependencies]
 actix-rt = "2.2"
-actix-test = "0.1.0-beta.9"
-awc = { version = "3.0.0-beta.14", default-features = false }
+actix-test = "0.1.0-beta.11"
+awc = { version = "3.0.0-beta.18", default-features = false }
 
 env_logger = "0.9"
 futures-util = { version = "0.3.7", default-features = false }
diff --git a/actix-web-actors/README.md b/actix-web-actors/README.md
index 954f8273b..60e6a9bd9 100644
--- a/actix-web-actors/README.md
+++ b/actix-web-actors/README.md
@@ -3,15 +3,15 @@
 > Actix actors support for Actix Web.
 
 [![crates.io](https://img.shields.io/crates/v/actix-web-actors?label=latest)](https://crates.io/crates/actix-web-actors)
-[![Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-web-actors/badge.svg?version=4.0.0-beta.8)](https://docs.rs/actix-web-actors/4.0.0-beta.8)
-[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/rustc-1.52+-ab6000.svg)](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/05/06/Rust-1.52.0.html)
+[![Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-web-actors/badge.svg?version=4.0.0-beta.10)](https://docs.rs/actix-web-actors/4.0.0-beta.10)
+[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/rustc-1.54+-ab6000.svg)](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/05/06/Rust-1.54.0.html)
 ![License](https://img.shields.io/crates/l/actix-web-actors.svg)
 <br />
-[![dependency status](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-web-actors/4.0.0-beta.8/status.svg)](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-web-actors/4.0.0-beta.8)
+[![dependency status](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-web-actors/4.0.0-beta.10/status.svg)](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-web-actors/4.0.0-beta.10)
 [![Download](https://img.shields.io/crates/d/actix-web-actors.svg)](https://crates.io/crates/actix-web-actors)
 [![Chat on Discord](https://img.shields.io/discord/771444961383153695?label=chat&logo=discord)](https://discord.gg/NWpN5mmg3x)
 
 ## Documentation & Resources
 
 - [API Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-web-actors)
-- Minimum Supported Rust Version (MSRV): 1.52
+- Minimum Supported Rust Version (MSRV): 1.54
diff --git a/actix-web-codegen/CHANGES.md b/actix-web-codegen/CHANGES.md
index 0d881d303..c044ff74d 100644
--- a/actix-web-codegen/CHANGES.md
+++ b/actix-web-codegen/CHANGES.md
@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@
 ## Unreleased - 2021-xx-xx
 
 
+## 0.5.0-rc.1 - 2022-01-04
+- Minimum supported Rust version (MSRV) is now 1.54.
+
+
 ## 0.5.0-beta.6 - 2021-12-11
 - No significant changes since `0.5.0-beta.5`.
 
diff --git a/actix-web-codegen/Cargo.toml b/actix-web-codegen/Cargo.toml
index 8d42137e7..51ccac27c 100644
--- a/actix-web-codegen/Cargo.toml
+++ b/actix-web-codegen/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "actix-web-codegen"
-version = "0.5.0-beta.6"
+version = "0.5.0-rc.1"
 description = "Routing and runtime macros for Actix Web"
 homepage = "https://actix.rs"
 repository = "https://github.com/actix/actix-web.git"
@@ -15,17 +15,17 @@ edition = "2018"
 proc-macro = true
 
 [dependencies]
+actix-router = "0.5.0-beta.4"
+proc-macro2 = "1"
 quote = "1"
 syn = { version = "1", features = ["full", "parsing"] }
-proc-macro2 = "1"
-actix-router = "0.5.0-beta.3"
 
 [dev-dependencies]
 actix-macros = "0.2.3"
 actix-rt = "2.2"
-actix-test = "0.1.0-beta.9"
+actix-test = "0.1.0-beta.11"
 actix-utils = "3.0.0"
-actix-web = "4.0.0-beta.15"
+actix-web = "4.0.0-beta.20"
 
 futures-core = { version = "0.3.7", default-features = false, features = ["alloc"] }
 trybuild = "1"
diff --git a/actix-web-codegen/README.md b/actix-web-codegen/README.md
index f05d3f22c..1fd97184c 100644
--- a/actix-web-codegen/README.md
+++ b/actix-web-codegen/README.md
@@ -3,18 +3,18 @@
 > Routing and runtime macros for Actix Web.
 
 [![crates.io](https://img.shields.io/crates/v/actix-web-codegen?label=latest)](https://crates.io/crates/actix-web-codegen)
-[![Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-web-codegen/badge.svg?version=0.5.0-beta.6)](https://docs.rs/actix-web-codegen/0.5.0-beta.6)
-[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/rustc-1.52+-ab6000.svg)](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/05/06/Rust-1.52.0.html)
+[![Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-web-codegen/badge.svg?version=0.5.0-rc.1)](https://docs.rs/actix-web-codegen/0.5.0-rc.1)
+[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/rustc-1.54+-ab6000.svg)](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/05/06/Rust-1.54.0.html)
 ![License](https://img.shields.io/crates/l/actix-web-codegen.svg)
 <br />
-[![dependency status](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-web-codegen/0.5.0-beta.6/status.svg)](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-web-codegen/0.5.0-beta.6)
+[![dependency status](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-web-codegen/0.5.0-rc.1/status.svg)](https://deps.rs/crate/actix-web-codegen/0.5.0-rc.1)
 [![Download](https://img.shields.io/crates/d/actix-web-codegen.svg)](https://crates.io/crates/actix-web-codegen)
 [![Chat on Discord](https://img.shields.io/discord/771444961383153695?label=chat&logo=discord)](https://discord.gg/NWpN5mmg3x)
 
 ## Documentation & Resources
 
 - [API Documentation](https://docs.rs/actix-web-codegen)
-- Minimum Supported Rust Version (MSRV): 1.52
+- Minimum Supported Rust Version (MSRV): 1.54
 
 ## Compile Testing
 
diff --git a/actix-web-codegen/tests/trybuild.rs b/actix-web-codegen/tests/trybuild.rs
index dd70cb7ca..b2d9ce186 100644
--- a/actix-web-codegen/tests/trybuild.rs
+++ b/actix-web-codegen/tests/trybuild.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#[rustversion::stable(1.52)] // MSRV
+#[rustversion::stable(1.54)] // MSRV
 #[test]
 fn compile_macros() {
     let t = trybuild::TestCases::new();
diff --git a/actix-web-codegen/tests/trybuild/route-missing-method-fail.stderr b/actix-web-codegen/tests/trybuild/route-missing-method-fail.stderr
index c36b090c0..b1cefafde 100644
--- a/actix-web-codegen/tests/trybuild/route-missing-method-fail.stderr
+++ b/actix-web-codegen/tests/trybuild/route-missing-method-fail.stderr
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 error: The #[route(..)] macro requires at least one `method` attribute
- --> $DIR/route-missing-method-fail.rs:3:1
+ --> tests/trybuild/route-missing-method-fail.rs:3:1
   |
 3 | #[route("/")]
   | ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
   |
-  = note: this error originates in an attribute macro (in Nightly builds, run with -Z macro-backtrace for more info)
+  = note: this error originates in the attribute macro `route` (in Nightly builds, run with -Z macro-backtrace for more info)
 
 error[E0277]: the trait bound `fn() -> impl std::future::Future {index}: HttpServiceFactory` is not satisfied
-  --> $DIR/route-missing-method-fail.rs:12:55
+  --> tests/trybuild/route-missing-method-fail.rs:12:55
    |
 12 |     let srv = actix_test::start(|| App::new().service(index));
    |                                                       ^^^^^ the trait `HttpServiceFactory` is not implemented for `fn() -> impl std::future::Future {index}`
diff --git a/awc/CHANGES.md b/awc/CHANGES.md
index b5144b7a2..f2c81ef25 100644
--- a/awc/CHANGES.md
+++ b/awc/CHANGES.md
@@ -1,10 +1,42 @@
 # Changes
 
 ## Unreleased - 2021-xx-xx
+
+
+## 3.0.0-beta.18 - 2022-01-04
+- Minimum supported Rust version (MSRV) is now 1.54.
+
+
+## 3.0.0-beta.17 - 2021-12-29
+### Changed
+- Update `cookie` dependency (re-exported) to `0.16`. [#2555]
+
+### Security
+- `cookie` upgrade addresses [`RUSTSEC-2020-0071`].
+
+[#2555]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2555
+[`RUSTSEC-2020-0071`]: https://rustsec.org/advisories/RUSTSEC-2020-0071.html
+
+
+## 3.0.0-beta.16 - 2021-12-29
+- `*::send_json` and `*::send_form` methods now receive `impl Serialize`. [#2553]
+- `FrozenClientRequest::extra_header` now uses receives an `impl TryIntoHeaderPair`. [#2553]
+- Remove unnecessary `Unpin` bounds on `*::send_stream`. [#2553]
+
+[#2553]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2553
+
+
+## 3.0.0-beta.15 - 2021-12-27
 - Rename `Connector::{ssl => openssl}`. [#2503]
 - Improve `Client` instantiation efficiency when using `openssl` by only building connectors once. [#2503]
+- `ClientRequest::send_body` now takes an `impl MessageBody`. [#2546]
+- Rename `MessageBody => ResponseBody` to avoid conflicts with `MessageBody` trait. [#2546]
+- `impl Future` for `ResponseBody` no longer requires the body type be `Unpin`. [#2546]
+- `impl Future` for `JsonBody` no longer requires the body type be `Unpin`. [#2546]
+- `impl Stream` for `ClientResponse` no longer requires the body type be `Unpin`. [#2546]
 
 [#2503]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2503
+[#2546]: https://github.com/actix/actix-web/pull/2546
 
 
 ## 3.0.0-beta.14 - 2021-12-17
diff --git a/awc/Cargo.toml b/awc/Cargo.toml
index ab1162778..979166d2d 100644
--- a/awc/Cargo.toml
+++ b/awc/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "awc"
-version = "3.0.0-beta.14"
+version = "3.0.0-beta.18"
 authors = [
     "Nikolay Kim <fafhrd91@gmail.com>",
     "fakeshadow <24548779@qq.com>",
@@ -60,9 +60,9 @@ dangerous-h2c = []
 [dependencies]
 actix-codec = "0.4.1"
 actix-service = "2.0.0"
-actix-http = "3.0.0-beta.16"
+actix-http = "3.0.0-beta.18"
 actix-rt = { version = "2.1", default-features = false }
-actix-tls = { version = "3.0.0-rc.2", features = ["connect", "uri"] }
+actix-tls = { version = "3.0.0", features = ["connect", "uri"] }
 actix-utils = "3.0.0"
 
 ahash = "0.7"
@@ -83,9 +83,9 @@ rand = "0.8"
 serde = "1.0"
 serde_json = "1.0"
 serde_urlencoded = "0.7"
-tokio = { version = "1.8", features = ["sync"] }
+tokio = { version = "1.8.4", features = ["sync"] }
 
-cookie = { version = "0.15", features = ["percent-encode"], optional = true }
+cookie = { version = "0.16", features = ["percent-encode"], optional = true }
 
 tls-openssl = { package = "openssl", version = "0.10.9", optional = true }
 tls-rustls = { package = "rustls", version = "0.20.0", optional = true, features = ["dangerous_configuration"] }
@@ -93,21 +93,23 @@ tls-rustls = { package = "rustls", version = "0.20.0", optional = true, features
 trust-dns-resolver = { version = "0.20.0", optional = true }
 
 [dev-dependencies]
-actix-http = { version = "3.0.0-beta.16", features = ["openssl"] }
-actix-http-test = { version = "3.0.0-beta.9", features = ["openssl"] }
-actix-server = "2.0.0-rc.1"
-actix-test = { version = "0.1.0-beta.9", features = ["openssl", "rustls"] }
-actix-tls = { version = "3.0.0-rc.1", features = ["openssl", "rustls"] }
+actix-http = { version = "3.0.0-beta.18", features = ["openssl"] }
+actix-http-test = { version = "3.0.0-beta.11", features = ["openssl"] }
+actix-server = "2.0.0-rc.2"
+actix-test = { version = "0.1.0-beta.11", features = ["openssl", "rustls"] }
+actix-tls = { version = "3.0.0", features = ["openssl", "rustls"] }
 actix-utils = "3.0.0"
-actix-web = { version = "4.0.0-beta.15", features = ["openssl"] }
+actix-web = { version = "4.0.0-beta.20", features = ["openssl"] }
 
-brotli = "3.3"
+brotli2 = "0.3.3"
+const-str = "0.3"
 env_logger = "0.9"
 flate2 = "1.0.13"
 futures-util = { version = "0.3.7", default-features = false }
 static_assertions = "1.1"
 rcgen = "0.8"
 rustls-pemfile = "0.2"
+zstd = "0.9"
 
 [[example]]
 name = "client"
diff --git a/awc/README.md b/awc/README.md
index 3fbdd903a..6a68ac05a 100644
--- a/awc/README.md
+++ b/awc/README.md
@@ -3,16 +3,16 @@
 > Async HTTP and WebSocket client library.
 
 [![crates.io](https://img.shields.io/crates/v/awc?label=latest)](https://crates.io/crates/awc)
-[![Documentation](https://docs.rs/awc/badge.svg?version=3.0.0-beta.14)](https://docs.rs/awc/3.0.0-beta.14)
+[![Documentation](https://docs.rs/awc/badge.svg?version=3.0.0-beta.18)](https://docs.rs/awc/3.0.0-beta.18)
 ![MIT or Apache 2.0 licensed](https://img.shields.io/crates/l/awc)
-[![Dependency Status](https://deps.rs/crate/awc/3.0.0-beta.14/status.svg)](https://deps.rs/crate/awc/3.0.0-beta.14)
+[![Dependency Status](https://deps.rs/crate/awc/3.0.0-beta.18/status.svg)](https://deps.rs/crate/awc/3.0.0-beta.18)
 [![Chat on Discord](https://img.shields.io/discord/771444961383153695?label=chat&logo=discord)](https://discord.gg/NWpN5mmg3x)
 
 ## Documentation & Resources
 
 - [API Documentation](https://docs.rs/awc)
 - [Example Project](https://github.com/actix/examples/tree/HEAD/security/awc_https)
-- Minimum Supported Rust Version (MSRV): 1.52
+- Minimum Supported Rust Version (MSRV): 1.54
 
 ## Example
 
diff --git a/awc/src/any_body.rs b/awc/src/any_body.rs
index 2ffeb5074..d09a943ab 100644
--- a/awc/src/any_body.rs
+++ b/awc/src/any_body.rs
@@ -1,17 +1,13 @@
 use std::{
-    borrow::Cow,
     fmt, mem,
     pin::Pin,
     task::{Context, Poll},
 };
 
-use bytes::{Bytes, BytesMut};
-use futures_core::Stream;
+use bytes::Bytes;
 use pin_project_lite::pin_project;
 
-use actix_http::body::{BodySize, BodyStream, BoxBody, MessageBody, SizedStream};
-
-use crate::BoxError;
+use actix_http::body::{BodySize, BoxBody, MessageBody};
 
 pin_project! {
     /// Represents various types of HTTP message body.
@@ -77,10 +73,27 @@ impl<B> AnyBody<B>
 where
     B: MessageBody + 'static,
 {
+    /// Converts a [`MessageBody`] type into the best possible representation.
+    ///
+    /// Checks size for `None` and tries to convert to `Bytes`. Otherwise, uses the `Body` variant.
+    pub fn from_message_body(body: B) -> Self
+    where
+        B: MessageBody,
+    {
+        if matches!(body.size(), BodySize::None) {
+            return Self::None;
+        }
+
+        match body.try_into_bytes() {
+            Ok(body) => Self::Bytes { body },
+            Err(body) => Self::new(body),
+        }
+    }
+
     pub fn into_boxed(self) -> AnyBody {
         match self {
             Self::None => AnyBody::None,
-            Self::Bytes { body: bytes } => AnyBody::Bytes { body: bytes },
+            Self::Bytes { body } => AnyBody::Bytes { body },
             Self::Body { body } => AnyBody::new_boxed(body),
         }
     }
@@ -143,91 +156,6 @@ impl<S: fmt::Debug> fmt::Debug for AnyBody<S> {
     }
 }
 
-impl<B> From<&'static str> for AnyBody<B> {
-    fn from(string: &'static str) -> Self {
-        Self::Bytes {
-            body: Bytes::from_static(string.as_ref()),
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-impl<B> From<&'static [u8]> for AnyBody<B> {
-    fn from(bytes: &'static [u8]) -> Self {
-        Self::Bytes {
-            body: Bytes::from_static(bytes),
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-impl<B> From<Vec<u8>> for AnyBody<B> {
-    fn from(vec: Vec<u8>) -> Self {
-        Self::Bytes {
-            body: Bytes::from(vec),
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-impl<B> From<String> for AnyBody<B> {
-    fn from(string: String) -> Self {
-        Self::Bytes {
-            body: Bytes::from(string),
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-impl<B> From<&'_ String> for AnyBody<B> {
-    fn from(string: &String) -> Self {
-        Self::Bytes {
-            body: Bytes::copy_from_slice(AsRef::<[u8]>::as_ref(&string)),
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-impl<B> From<Cow<'_, str>> for AnyBody<B> {
-    fn from(string: Cow<'_, str>) -> Self {
-        match string {
-            Cow::Owned(s) => Self::from(s),
-            Cow::Borrowed(s) => Self::Bytes {
-                body: Bytes::copy_from_slice(AsRef::<[u8]>::as_ref(s)),
-            },
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-impl<B> From<Bytes> for AnyBody<B> {
-    fn from(bytes: Bytes) -> Self {
-        Self::Bytes { body: bytes }
-    }
-}
-
-impl<B> From<BytesMut> for AnyBody<B> {
-    fn from(bytes: BytesMut) -> Self {
-        Self::Bytes {
-            body: bytes.freeze(),
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-impl<S, E> From<SizedStream<S>> for AnyBody
-where
-    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, E>> + 'static,
-    E: Into<BoxError> + 'static,
-{
-    fn from(stream: SizedStream<S>) -> Self {
-        AnyBody::new_boxed(stream)
-    }
-}
-
-impl<S, E> From<BodyStream<S>> for AnyBody
-where
-    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, E>> + 'static,
-    E: Into<BoxError> + 'static,
-{
-    fn from(stream: BodyStream<S>) -> Self {
-        AnyBody::new_boxed(stream)
-    }
-}
-
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use std::marker::PhantomPinned;
diff --git a/awc/src/builder.rs b/awc/src/builder.rs
index 30f203bb8..16a4e9cb5 100644
--- a/awc/src/builder.rs
+++ b/awc/src/builder.rs
@@ -9,11 +9,13 @@ use actix_rt::net::{ActixStream, TcpStream};
 use actix_service::{boxed, Service};
 
 use crate::{
-    client::{ConnectInfo, Connector, ConnectorService, TcpConnectError, TcpConnection},
+    client::{
+        ClientConfig, ConnectInfo, Connector, ConnectorService, TcpConnectError, TcpConnection,
+    },
     connect::DefaultConnector,
     error::SendRequestError,
     middleware::{NestTransform, Redirect, Transform},
-    Client, ClientConfig, ConnectRequest, ConnectResponse,
+    Client, ConnectRequest, ConnectResponse,
 };
 
 /// An HTTP Client builder
diff --git a/awc/src/client/connection.rs b/awc/src/client/connection.rs
index 0e1f0bfec..456f119aa 100644
--- a/awc/src/client/connection.rs
+++ b/awc/src/client/connection.rs
@@ -267,7 +267,9 @@ where
                 Connection::Tls(ConnectionType::H2(conn)) => {
                     h2proto::send_request(conn, head.into(), body).await
                 }
-                _ => unreachable!("Plain Tcp connection can be used only in Http1 protocol"),
+                _ => {
+                    unreachable!("Plain TCP connection can be used only with HTTP/1.1 protocol")
+                }
             }
         })
     }
diff --git a/awc/src/client/h1proto.rs b/awc/src/client/h1proto.rs
index 1028a2178..cf716db72 100644
--- a/awc/src/client/h1proto.rs
+++ b/awc/src/client/h1proto.rs
@@ -13,16 +13,17 @@ use actix_http::{
     Payload, RequestHeadType, ResponseHead, StatusCode,
 };
 use actix_utils::future::poll_fn;
-use bytes::buf::BufMut;
-use bytes::{Bytes, BytesMut};
+use bytes::{buf::BufMut, Bytes, BytesMut};
 use futures_core::{ready, Stream};
 use futures_util::SinkExt as _;
 use pin_project_lite::pin_project;
 
 use crate::BoxError;
 
-use super::connection::{ConnectionIo, H1Connection};
-use super::error::{ConnectError, SendRequestError};
+use super::{
+    connection::{ConnectionIo, H1Connection},
+    error::{ConnectError, SendRequestError},
+};
 
 pub(crate) async fn send_request<Io, B>(
     io: H1Connection<Io>,
@@ -123,7 +124,12 @@ where
 
             Ok((head, Payload::None))
         }
-        _ => Ok((head, Payload::Stream(Box::pin(PlStream::new(framed))))),
+        _ => Ok((
+            head,
+            Payload::Stream {
+                payload: Box::pin(PlStream::new(framed)),
+            },
+        )),
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/awc/src/client/h2proto.rs b/awc/src/client/h2proto.rs
index 9ced5776b..709896ddd 100644
--- a/awc/src/client/h2proto.rs
+++ b/awc/src/client/h2proto.rs
@@ -52,9 +52,11 @@ where
     let _ = match length {
         BodySize::None => None,
 
-        BodySize::Sized(0) => req
-            .headers_mut()
-            .insert(CONTENT_LENGTH, HeaderValue::from_static("0")),
+        BodySize::Sized(0) => {
+            #[allow(clippy::declare_interior_mutable_const)]
+            const HV_ZERO: HeaderValue = HeaderValue::from_static("0");
+            req.headers_mut().insert(CONTENT_LENGTH, HV_ZERO)
+        }
 
         BodySize::Sized(len) => {
             let mut buf = itoa::Buffer::new();
diff --git a/awc/src/client/mod.rs b/awc/src/client/mod.rs
index 0d5c899bc..d5854d83e 100644
--- a/awc/src/client/mod.rs
+++ b/awc/src/client/mod.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,15 @@
 //! HTTP client.
 
-use http::Uri;
+use std::{convert::TryFrom, rc::Rc, time::Duration};
+
+use actix_http::{error::HttpError, header::HeaderMap, Method, RequestHead, Uri};
+use actix_rt::net::TcpStream;
+use actix_service::Service;
+pub use actix_tls::connect::{
+    ConnectError as TcpConnectError, ConnectInfo, Connection as TcpConnection,
+};
+
+use crate::{ws, BoxConnectorService, ClientBuilder, ClientRequest};
 
 mod config;
 mod connection;
@@ -10,10 +19,6 @@ mod h1proto;
 mod h2proto;
 mod pool;
 
-pub use actix_tls::connect::{
-    ConnectError as TcpConnectError, ConnectInfo, Connection as TcpConnection,
-};
-
 pub use self::connection::{Connection, ConnectionIo};
 pub use self::connector::{Connector, ConnectorService};
 pub use self::error::{ConnectError, FreezeRequestError, InvalidUrl, SendRequestError};
@@ -23,3 +28,176 @@ pub struct Connect {
     pub uri: Uri,
     pub addr: Option<std::net::SocketAddr>,
 }
+
+/// An asynchronous HTTP and WebSocket client.
+///
+/// You should take care to create, at most, one `Client` per thread. Otherwise, expect higher CPU
+/// and memory usage.
+///
+/// # Examples
+/// ```
+/// use awc::Client;
+///
+/// #[actix_rt::main]
+/// async fn main() {
+///     let mut client = Client::default();
+///
+///     let res = client.get("http://www.rust-lang.org")
+///         .insert_header(("User-Agent", "my-app/1.2"))
+///         .send()
+///         .await;
+///
+///      println!("Response: {:?}", res);
+/// }
+/// ```
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub struct Client(pub(crate) ClientConfig);
+
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub(crate) struct ClientConfig {
+    pub(crate) connector: BoxConnectorService,
+    pub(crate) default_headers: Rc<HeaderMap>,
+    pub(crate) timeout: Option<Duration>,
+}
+
+impl Default for Client {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        ClientBuilder::new().finish()
+    }
+}
+
+impl Client {
+    /// Create new client instance with default settings.
+    pub fn new() -> Client {
+        Client::default()
+    }
+
+    /// Create `Client` builder.
+    /// This function is equivalent of `ClientBuilder::new()`.
+    pub fn builder() -> ClientBuilder<
+        impl Service<
+                ConnectInfo<Uri>,
+                Response = TcpConnection<Uri, TcpStream>,
+                Error = TcpConnectError,
+            > + Clone,
+    > {
+        ClientBuilder::new()
+    }
+
+    /// Construct HTTP request.
+    pub fn request<U>(&self, method: Method, url: U) -> ClientRequest
+    where
+        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
+        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
+    {
+        let mut req = ClientRequest::new(method, url, self.0.clone());
+
+        for header in self.0.default_headers.iter() {
+            // header map is empty
+            // TODO: probably append instead
+            req = req.insert_header_if_none(header);
+        }
+        req
+    }
+
+    /// Create `ClientRequest` from `RequestHead`
+    ///
+    /// It is useful for proxy requests. This implementation
+    /// copies all headers and the method.
+    pub fn request_from<U>(&self, url: U, head: &RequestHead) -> ClientRequest
+    where
+        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
+        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
+    {
+        let mut req = self.request(head.method.clone(), url);
+        for header in head.headers.iter() {
+            req = req.insert_header_if_none(header);
+        }
+        req
+    }
+
+    /// Construct HTTP *GET* request.
+    pub fn get<U>(&self, url: U) -> ClientRequest
+    where
+        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
+        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
+    {
+        self.request(Method::GET, url)
+    }
+
+    /// Construct HTTP *HEAD* request.
+    pub fn head<U>(&self, url: U) -> ClientRequest
+    where
+        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
+        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
+    {
+        self.request(Method::HEAD, url)
+    }
+
+    /// Construct HTTP *PUT* request.
+    pub fn put<U>(&self, url: U) -> ClientRequest
+    where
+        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
+        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
+    {
+        self.request(Method::PUT, url)
+    }
+
+    /// Construct HTTP *POST* request.
+    pub fn post<U>(&self, url: U) -> ClientRequest
+    where
+        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
+        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
+    {
+        self.request(Method::POST, url)
+    }
+
+    /// Construct HTTP *PATCH* request.
+    pub fn patch<U>(&self, url: U) -> ClientRequest
+    where
+        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
+        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
+    {
+        self.request(Method::PATCH, url)
+    }
+
+    /// Construct HTTP *DELETE* request.
+    pub fn delete<U>(&self, url: U) -> ClientRequest
+    where
+        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
+        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
+    {
+        self.request(Method::DELETE, url)
+    }
+
+    /// Construct HTTP *OPTIONS* request.
+    pub fn options<U>(&self, url: U) -> ClientRequest
+    where
+        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
+        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
+    {
+        self.request(Method::OPTIONS, url)
+    }
+
+    /// Initialize a WebSocket connection.
+    /// Returns a WebSocket connection builder.
+    pub fn ws<U>(&self, url: U) -> ws::WebsocketsRequest
+    where
+        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
+        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
+    {
+        let mut req = ws::WebsocketsRequest::new(url, self.0.clone());
+        for (key, value) in self.0.default_headers.iter() {
+            req.head.headers.insert(key.clone(), value.clone());
+        }
+        req
+    }
+
+    /// Get default HeaderMap of Client.
+    ///
+    /// Returns Some(&mut HeaderMap) when Client object is unique
+    /// (No other clone of client exists at the same time).
+    pub fn headers(&mut self) -> Option<&mut HeaderMap> {
+        Rc::get_mut(&mut self.0.default_headers)
+    }
+}
diff --git a/awc/src/connect.rs b/awc/src/connect.rs
index 19870b069..f93014a67 100644
--- a/awc/src/connect.rs
+++ b/awc/src/connect.rs
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ use crate::{
     client::{
         Connect as ClientConnect, ConnectError, Connection, ConnectionIo, SendRequestError,
     },
-    response::ClientResponse,
+    ClientResponse,
 };
 
 pub type BoxConnectorService = Rc<
diff --git a/awc/src/error.rs b/awc/src/error.rs
index c1d855053..aa9dc4d99 100644
--- a/awc/src/error.rs
+++ b/awc/src/error.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 //! HTTP client errors
 
+// TODO: figure out how best to expose http::Error vs actix_http::Error
 pub use actix_http::{
     error::{HttpError, PayloadError},
     header::HeaderValue,
diff --git a/awc/src/frozen.rs b/awc/src/frozen.rs
index cd93a1d60..4023bd1c8 100644
--- a/awc/src/frozen.rs
+++ b/awc/src/frozen.rs
@@ -1,22 +1,24 @@
-use std::{convert::TryFrom, net, rc::Rc, time::Duration};
+use std::{net, rc::Rc, time::Duration};
 
 use bytes::Bytes;
 use futures_core::Stream;
 use serde::Serialize;
 
 use actix_http::{
+    body::MessageBody,
     error::HttpError,
-    header::{HeaderMap, HeaderName, TryIntoHeaderValue},
+    header::{HeaderMap, TryIntoHeaderPair},
     Method, RequestHead, Uri,
 };
 
 use crate::{
-    any_body::AnyBody,
+    client::ClientConfig,
     sender::{RequestSender, SendClientRequest},
-    BoxError, ClientConfig,
+    BoxError,
 };
 
 /// `FrozenClientRequest` struct represents cloneable client request.
+///
 /// It could be used to send same request multiple times.
 #[derive(Clone)]
 pub struct FrozenClientRequest {
@@ -46,7 +48,7 @@ impl FrozenClientRequest {
     /// Send a body.
     pub fn send_body<B>(&self, body: B) -> SendClientRequest
     where
-        B: Into<AnyBody>,
+        B: MessageBody + 'static,
     {
         RequestSender::Rc(self.head.clone(), None).send_body(
             self.addr,
@@ -82,7 +84,7 @@ impl FrozenClientRequest {
     /// Send a streaming body.
     pub fn send_stream<S, E>(&self, stream: S) -> SendClientRequest
     where
-        S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, E>> + Unpin + 'static,
+        S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, E>> + 'static,
         E: Into<BoxError> + 'static,
     {
         RequestSender::Rc(self.head.clone(), None).send_stream(
@@ -104,20 +106,14 @@ impl FrozenClientRequest {
         )
     }
 
-    /// Create a `FrozenSendBuilder` with extra headers
+    /// Clones this `FrozenClientRequest`, returning a new one with extra headers added.
     pub fn extra_headers(&self, extra_headers: HeaderMap) -> FrozenSendBuilder {
         FrozenSendBuilder::new(self.clone(), extra_headers)
     }
 
-    /// Create a `FrozenSendBuilder` with an extra header
-    pub fn extra_header<K, V>(&self, key: K, value: V) -> FrozenSendBuilder
-    where
-        HeaderName: TryFrom<K>,
-        <HeaderName as TryFrom<K>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
-        V: TryIntoHeaderValue,
-    {
-        self.extra_headers(HeaderMap::new())
-            .extra_header(key, value)
+    /// Clones this `FrozenClientRequest`, returning a new one with the extra header added.
+    pub fn extra_header(&self, header: impl TryIntoHeaderPair) -> FrozenSendBuilder {
+        self.extra_headers(HeaderMap::new()).extra_header(header)
     }
 }
 
@@ -138,29 +134,20 @@ impl FrozenSendBuilder {
     }
 
     /// Insert a header, it overrides existing header in `FrozenClientRequest`.
-    pub fn extra_header<K, V>(mut self, key: K, value: V) -> Self
-    where
-        HeaderName: TryFrom<K>,
-        <HeaderName as TryFrom<K>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
-        V: TryIntoHeaderValue,
-    {
-        match HeaderName::try_from(key) {
-            Ok(key) => match value.try_into_value() {
-                Ok(value) => {
-                    self.extra_headers.insert(key, value);
-                }
-                Err(e) => self.err = Some(e.into()),
-            },
-            Err(e) => self.err = Some(e.into()),
+    pub fn extra_header(mut self, header: impl TryIntoHeaderPair) -> Self {
+        match header.try_into_pair() {
+            Ok((key, value)) => {
+                self.extra_headers.insert(key, value);
+            }
+
+            Err(err) => self.err = Some(err.into()),
         }
+
         self
     }
 
     /// Complete request construction and send a body.
-    pub fn send_body<B>(self, body: B) -> SendClientRequest
-    where
-        B: Into<AnyBody>,
-    {
+    pub fn send_body(self, body: impl MessageBody + 'static) -> SendClientRequest {
         if let Some(e) = self.err {
             return e.into();
         }
@@ -175,9 +162,9 @@ impl FrozenSendBuilder {
     }
 
     /// Complete request construction and send a json body.
-    pub fn send_json<T: Serialize>(self, value: &T) -> SendClientRequest {
-        if let Some(e) = self.err {
-            return e.into();
+    pub fn send_json(self, value: impl Serialize) -> SendClientRequest {
+        if let Some(err) = self.err {
+            return err.into();
         }
 
         RequestSender::Rc(self.req.head, Some(self.extra_headers)).send_json(
@@ -190,7 +177,7 @@ impl FrozenSendBuilder {
     }
 
     /// Complete request construction and send an urlencoded body.
-    pub fn send_form<T: Serialize>(self, value: &T) -> SendClientRequest {
+    pub fn send_form(self, value: impl Serialize) -> SendClientRequest {
         if let Some(e) = self.err {
             return e.into();
         }
@@ -207,7 +194,7 @@ impl FrozenSendBuilder {
     /// Complete request construction and send a streaming body.
     pub fn send_stream<S, E>(self, stream: S) -> SendClientRequest
     where
-        S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, E>> + Unpin + 'static,
+        S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, E>> + 'static,
         E: Into<BoxError> + 'static,
     {
         if let Some(e) = self.err {
diff --git a/awc/src/lib.rs b/awc/src/lib.rs
index 00c559406..970ca2d92 100644
--- a/awc/src/lib.rs
+++ b/awc/src/lib.rs
@@ -105,6 +105,11 @@
 #![doc(html_logo_url = "https://actix.rs/img/logo.png")]
 #![doc(html_favicon_url = "https://actix.rs/favicon.ico")]
 
+pub use actix_http::body;
+
+#[cfg(feature = "cookies")]
+pub use cookie;
+
 mod any_body;
 mod builder;
 mod client;
@@ -113,203 +118,27 @@ pub mod error;
 mod frozen;
 pub mod middleware;
 mod request;
-mod response;
+mod responses;
 mod sender;
 pub mod test;
 pub mod ws;
 
-// TODO: hmmmmmm
-pub use actix_http as http;
-#[cfg(feature = "cookies")]
-pub use cookie;
+pub mod http {
+    //! Various HTTP related types.
+
+    // TODO: figure out how best to expose http::Error vs actix_http::Error
+    pub use actix_http::{
+        header, uri, ConnectionType, Error, Method, StatusCode, Uri, Version,
+    };
+}
 
 pub use self::builder::ClientBuilder;
-pub use self::client::Connector;
+pub use self::client::{Client, Connector};
 pub use self::connect::{BoxConnectorService, BoxedSocket, ConnectRequest, ConnectResponse};
 pub use self::frozen::{FrozenClientRequest, FrozenSendBuilder};
 pub use self::request::ClientRequest;
-pub use self::response::{ClientResponse, JsonBody, MessageBody};
+#[allow(deprecated)]
+pub use self::responses::{ClientResponse, JsonBody, MessageBody, ResponseBody};
 pub use self::sender::SendClientRequest;
 
-use std::{convert::TryFrom, rc::Rc, time::Duration};
-
-use actix_http::{error::HttpError, header::HeaderMap, Method, RequestHead, Uri};
-use actix_rt::net::TcpStream;
-use actix_service::Service;
-
-use self::client::{ConnectInfo, TcpConnectError, TcpConnection};
-
 pub(crate) type BoxError = Box<dyn std::error::Error>;
-
-/// An asynchronous HTTP and WebSocket client.
-///
-/// You should take care to create, at most, one `Client` per thread. Otherwise, expect higher CPU
-/// and memory usage.
-///
-/// # Examples
-/// ```
-/// use awc::Client;
-///
-/// #[actix_rt::main]
-/// async fn main() {
-///     let mut client = Client::default();
-///
-///     let res = client.get("http://www.rust-lang.org")
-///         .insert_header(("User-Agent", "my-app/1.2"))
-///         .send()
-///         .await;
-///
-///      println!("Response: {:?}", res);
-/// }
-/// ```
-#[derive(Clone)]
-pub struct Client(ClientConfig);
-
-#[derive(Clone)]
-pub(crate) struct ClientConfig {
-    pub(crate) connector: BoxConnectorService,
-    pub(crate) default_headers: Rc<HeaderMap>,
-    pub(crate) timeout: Option<Duration>,
-}
-
-impl Default for Client {
-    fn default() -> Self {
-        ClientBuilder::new().finish()
-    }
-}
-
-impl Client {
-    /// Create new client instance with default settings.
-    pub fn new() -> Client {
-        Client::default()
-    }
-
-    /// Create `Client` builder.
-    /// This function is equivalent of `ClientBuilder::new()`.
-    pub fn builder() -> ClientBuilder<
-        impl Service<
-                ConnectInfo<Uri>,
-                Response = TcpConnection<Uri, TcpStream>,
-                Error = TcpConnectError,
-            > + Clone,
-    > {
-        ClientBuilder::new()
-    }
-
-    /// Construct HTTP request.
-    pub fn request<U>(&self, method: Method, url: U) -> ClientRequest
-    where
-        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
-        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
-    {
-        let mut req = ClientRequest::new(method, url, self.0.clone());
-
-        for header in self.0.default_headers.iter() {
-            // header map is empty
-            // TODO: probably append instead
-            req = req.insert_header_if_none(header);
-        }
-        req
-    }
-
-    /// Create `ClientRequest` from `RequestHead`
-    ///
-    /// It is useful for proxy requests. This implementation
-    /// copies all headers and the method.
-    pub fn request_from<U>(&self, url: U, head: &RequestHead) -> ClientRequest
-    where
-        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
-        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
-    {
-        let mut req = self.request(head.method.clone(), url);
-        for header in head.headers.iter() {
-            req = req.insert_header_if_none(header);
-        }
-        req
-    }
-
-    /// Construct HTTP *GET* request.
-    pub fn get<U>(&self, url: U) -> ClientRequest
-    where
-        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
-        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
-    {
-        self.request(Method::GET, url)
-    }
-
-    /// Construct HTTP *HEAD* request.
-    pub fn head<U>(&self, url: U) -> ClientRequest
-    where
-        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
-        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
-    {
-        self.request(Method::HEAD, url)
-    }
-
-    /// Construct HTTP *PUT* request.
-    pub fn put<U>(&self, url: U) -> ClientRequest
-    where
-        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
-        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
-    {
-        self.request(Method::PUT, url)
-    }
-
-    /// Construct HTTP *POST* request.
-    pub fn post<U>(&self, url: U) -> ClientRequest
-    where
-        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
-        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
-    {
-        self.request(Method::POST, url)
-    }
-
-    /// Construct HTTP *PATCH* request.
-    pub fn patch<U>(&self, url: U) -> ClientRequest
-    where
-        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
-        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
-    {
-        self.request(Method::PATCH, url)
-    }
-
-    /// Construct HTTP *DELETE* request.
-    pub fn delete<U>(&self, url: U) -> ClientRequest
-    where
-        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
-        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
-    {
-        self.request(Method::DELETE, url)
-    }
-
-    /// Construct HTTP *OPTIONS* request.
-    pub fn options<U>(&self, url: U) -> ClientRequest
-    where
-        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
-        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
-    {
-        self.request(Method::OPTIONS, url)
-    }
-
-    /// Initialize a WebSocket connection.
-    /// Returns a WebSocket connection builder.
-    pub fn ws<U>(&self, url: U) -> ws::WebsocketsRequest
-    where
-        Uri: TryFrom<U>,
-        <Uri as TryFrom<U>>::Error: Into<HttpError>,
-    {
-        let mut req = ws::WebsocketsRequest::new(url, self.0.clone());
-        for (key, value) in self.0.default_headers.iter() {
-            req.head.headers.insert(key.clone(), value.clone());
-        }
-        req
-    }
-
-    /// Get default HeaderMap of Client.
-    ///
-    /// Returns Some(&mut HeaderMap) when Client object is unique
-    /// (No other clone of client exists at the same time).
-    pub fn headers(&mut self) -> Option<&mut HeaderMap> {
-        Rc::get_mut(&mut self.0.default_headers)
-    }
-}
diff --git a/awc/src/request.rs b/awc/src/request.rs
index 9e37b2755..8bcf1ee01 100644
--- a/awc/src/request.rs
+++ b/awc/src/request.rs
@@ -5,17 +5,18 @@ use futures_core::Stream;
 use serde::Serialize;
 
 use actix_http::{
+    body::MessageBody,
     error::HttpError,
     header::{self, HeaderMap, HeaderValue, TryIntoHeaderPair},
     ConnectionType, Method, RequestHead, Uri, Version,
 };
 
 use crate::{
-    any_body::AnyBody,
+    client::ClientConfig,
     error::{FreezeRequestError, InvalidUrl},
     frozen::FrozenClientRequest,
     sender::{PrepForSendingError, RequestSender, SendClientRequest},
-    BoxError, ClientConfig,
+    BoxError,
 };
 
 #[cfg(feature = "cookies")]
@@ -26,20 +27,20 @@ use crate::cookie::{Cookie, CookieJar};
 /// This type can be used to construct an instance of `ClientRequest` through a
 /// builder-like pattern.
 ///
-/// ```
-/// #[actix_rt::main]
-/// async fn main() {
-///    let response = awc::Client::new()
-///         .get("http://www.rust-lang.org") // <- Create request builder
-///         .insert_header(("User-Agent", "Actix-web"))
-///         .send()                          // <- Send HTTP request
-///         .await;
+/// ```no_run
+/// # #[actix_rt::main]
+/// # async fn main() {
+/// let response = awc::Client::new()
+///      .get("http://www.rust-lang.org") // <- Create request builder
+///      .insert_header(("User-Agent", "Actix-web"))
+///      .send()                          // <- Send HTTP request
+///      .await;
 ///
-///    response.and_then(|response| {   // <- server HTTP response
-///         println!("Response: {:?}", response);
-///         Ok(())
-///    });
-/// }
+/// response.and_then(|response| {   // <- server HTTP response
+///      println!("Response: {:?}", response);
+///      Ok(())
+/// });
+/// # }
 /// ```
 pub struct ClientRequest {
     pub(crate) head: RequestHead,
@@ -174,17 +175,13 @@ impl ClientRequest {
 
     /// Append a header, keeping any that were set with an equivalent field name.
     ///
-    /// ```
-    /// # #[actix_rt::main]
-    /// # async fn main() {
-    /// # use awc::Client;
-    /// use awc::http::header::CONTENT_TYPE;
+    /// ```no_run
+    /// use awc::{http::header, Client};
     ///
     /// Client::new()
     ///     .get("http://www.rust-lang.org")
     ///     .insert_header(("X-TEST", "value"))
-    ///     .insert_header((CONTENT_TYPE, mime::APPLICATION_JSON));
-    /// # }
+    ///     .insert_header((header::CONTENT_TYPE, mime::APPLICATION_JSON));
     /// ```
     pub fn append_header(mut self, header: impl TryIntoHeaderPair) -> Self {
         match header.try_into_pair() {
@@ -252,23 +249,18 @@ impl ClientRequest {
 
     /// Set a cookie
     ///
-    /// ```
-    /// #[actix_rt::main]
-    /// async fn main() {
-    ///     let resp = awc::Client::new().get("https://www.rust-lang.org")
-    ///         .cookie(
-    ///             awc::cookie::Cookie::build("name", "value")
-    ///                 .domain("www.rust-lang.org")
-    ///                 .path("/")
-    ///                 .secure(true)
-    ///                 .http_only(true)
-    ///                 .finish(),
-    ///          )
-    ///          .send()
-    ///          .await;
+    /// ```no_run
+    /// use awc::{cookie::Cookie, Client};
     ///
-    ///     println!("Response: {:?}", resp);
-    /// }
+    /// # #[actix_rt::main]
+    /// # async fn main() {
+    /// let res = Client::new().get("https://httpbin.org/cookies")
+    ///     .cookie(Cookie::new("name", "value"))
+    ///     .send()
+    ///     .await;
+    ///
+    /// println!("Response: {:?}", res);
+    /// # }
     /// ```
     #[cfg(feature = "cookies")]
     pub fn cookie(mut self, cookie: Cookie<'_>) -> Self {
@@ -340,7 +332,7 @@ impl ClientRequest {
     /// Complete request construction and send body.
     pub fn send_body<B>(self, body: B) -> SendClientRequest
     where
-        B: Into<AnyBody>,
+        B: MessageBody + 'static,
     {
         let slf = match self.prep_for_sending() {
             Ok(slf) => slf,
@@ -393,7 +385,7 @@ impl ClientRequest {
     /// Set an streaming body and generate `ClientRequest`.
     pub fn send_stream<S, E>(self, stream: S) -> SendClientRequest
     where
-        S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, E>> + Unpin + 'static,
+        S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, E>> + 'static,
         E: Into<BoxError> + 'static,
     {
         let slf = match self.prep_for_sending() {
diff --git a/awc/src/response.rs b/awc/src/response.rs
deleted file mode 100644
index fefebd0a0..000000000
--- a/awc/src/response.rs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,556 +0,0 @@
-use std::{
-    cell::{Ref, RefMut},
-    fmt,
-    future::Future,
-    io,
-    marker::PhantomData,
-    pin::Pin,
-    task::{Context, Poll},
-    time::{Duration, Instant},
-};
-
-use actix_http::{
-    error::PayloadError, header, header::HeaderMap, Extensions, HttpMessage, Payload,
-    PayloadStream, ResponseHead, StatusCode, Version,
-};
-use actix_rt::time::{sleep, Sleep};
-use bytes::{Bytes, BytesMut};
-use futures_core::{ready, Stream};
-use serde::de::DeserializeOwned;
-
-#[cfg(feature = "cookies")]
-use crate::cookie::{Cookie, ParseError as CookieParseError};
-use crate::error::JsonPayloadError;
-
-/// Client Response
-pub struct ClientResponse<S = PayloadStream> {
-    pub(crate) head: ResponseHead,
-    pub(crate) payload: Payload<S>,
-    pub(crate) timeout: ResponseTimeout,
-}
-
-/// helper enum with reusable sleep passed from `SendClientResponse`.
-/// See `ClientResponse::_timeout` for reason.
-pub(crate) enum ResponseTimeout {
-    Disabled(Option<Pin<Box<Sleep>>>),
-    Enabled(Pin<Box<Sleep>>),
-}
-
-impl Default for ResponseTimeout {
-    fn default() -> Self {
-        Self::Disabled(None)
-    }
-}
-
-impl ResponseTimeout {
-    fn poll_timeout(&mut self, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Result<(), PayloadError> {
-        match *self {
-            Self::Enabled(ref mut timeout) => {
-                if timeout.as_mut().poll(cx).is_ready() {
-                    Err(PayloadError::Io(io::Error::new(
-                        io::ErrorKind::TimedOut,
-                        "Response Payload IO timed out",
-                    )))
-                } else {
-                    Ok(())
-                }
-            }
-            Self::Disabled(_) => Ok(()),
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-impl<S> HttpMessage for ClientResponse<S> {
-    type Stream = S;
-
-    fn headers(&self) -> &HeaderMap {
-        &self.head.headers
-    }
-
-    fn take_payload(&mut self) -> Payload<S> {
-        std::mem::replace(&mut self.payload, Payload::None)
-    }
-
-    fn extensions(&self) -> Ref<'_, Extensions> {
-        self.head.extensions()
-    }
-
-    fn extensions_mut(&self) -> RefMut<'_, Extensions> {
-        self.head.extensions_mut()
-    }
-}
-
-impl<S> ClientResponse<S> {
-    /// Create new Request instance
-    pub(crate) fn new(head: ResponseHead, payload: Payload<S>) -> Self {
-        ClientResponse {
-            head,
-            payload,
-            timeout: ResponseTimeout::default(),
-        }
-    }
-
-    #[inline]
-    pub(crate) fn head(&self) -> &ResponseHead {
-        &self.head
-    }
-
-    /// Read the Request Version.
-    #[inline]
-    pub fn version(&self) -> Version {
-        self.head().version
-    }
-
-    /// Get the status from the server.
-    #[inline]
-    pub fn status(&self) -> StatusCode {
-        self.head().status
-    }
-
-    #[inline]
-    /// Returns request's headers.
-    pub fn headers(&self) -> &HeaderMap {
-        &self.head().headers
-    }
-
-    /// Set a body and return previous body value
-    pub fn map_body<F, U>(mut self, f: F) -> ClientResponse<U>
-    where
-        F: FnOnce(&mut ResponseHead, Payload<S>) -> Payload<U>,
-    {
-        let payload = f(&mut self.head, self.payload);
-
-        ClientResponse {
-            payload,
-            head: self.head,
-            timeout: self.timeout,
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// Set a timeout duration for [`ClientResponse`](self::ClientResponse).
-    ///
-    /// This duration covers the duration of processing the response body stream
-    /// and would end it as timeout error when deadline met.
-    ///
-    /// Disabled by default.
-    pub fn timeout(self, dur: Duration) -> Self {
-        let timeout = match self.timeout {
-            ResponseTimeout::Disabled(Some(mut timeout))
-            | ResponseTimeout::Enabled(mut timeout) => match Instant::now().checked_add(dur) {
-                Some(deadline) => {
-                    timeout.as_mut().reset(deadline.into());
-                    ResponseTimeout::Enabled(timeout)
-                }
-                None => ResponseTimeout::Enabled(Box::pin(sleep(dur))),
-            },
-            _ => ResponseTimeout::Enabled(Box::pin(sleep(dur))),
-        };
-
-        Self {
-            payload: self.payload,
-            head: self.head,
-            timeout,
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// This method does not enable timeout. It's used to pass the boxed `Sleep` from
-    /// `SendClientRequest` and reuse it's heap allocation together with it's slot in
-    /// timer wheel.
-    pub(crate) fn _timeout(mut self, timeout: Option<Pin<Box<Sleep>>>) -> Self {
-        self.timeout = ResponseTimeout::Disabled(timeout);
-        self
-    }
-
-    /// Load request cookies.
-    #[cfg(feature = "cookies")]
-    pub fn cookies(&self) -> Result<Ref<'_, Vec<Cookie<'static>>>, CookieParseError> {
-        struct Cookies(Vec<Cookie<'static>>);
-
-        if self.extensions().get::<Cookies>().is_none() {
-            let mut cookies = Vec::new();
-            for hdr in self.headers().get_all(&header::SET_COOKIE) {
-                let s = std::str::from_utf8(hdr.as_bytes()).map_err(CookieParseError::from)?;
-                cookies.push(Cookie::parse_encoded(s)?.into_owned());
-            }
-            self.extensions_mut().insert(Cookies(cookies));
-        }
-        Ok(Ref::map(self.extensions(), |ext| {
-            &ext.get::<Cookies>().unwrap().0
-        }))
-    }
-
-    /// Return request cookie.
-    #[cfg(feature = "cookies")]
-    pub fn cookie(&self, name: &str) -> Option<Cookie<'static>> {
-        if let Ok(cookies) = self.cookies() {
-            for cookie in cookies.iter() {
-                if cookie.name() == name {
-                    return Some(cookie.to_owned());
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        None
-    }
-}
-
-impl<S> ClientResponse<S>
-where
-    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>>,
-{
-    /// Loads HTTP response's body.
-    pub fn body(&mut self) -> MessageBody<S> {
-        MessageBody::new(self)
-    }
-
-    /// Loads and parse `application/json` encoded body.
-    /// Return `JsonBody<T>` future. It resolves to a `T` value.
-    ///
-    /// Returns error:
-    ///
-    /// * content type is not `application/json`
-    /// * content length is greater than 256k
-    pub fn json<T: DeserializeOwned>(&mut self) -> JsonBody<S, T> {
-        JsonBody::new(self)
-    }
-}
-
-impl<S> Stream for ClientResponse<S>
-where
-    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>> + Unpin,
-{
-    type Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>;
-
-    fn poll_next(self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<Option<Self::Item>> {
-        let this = self.get_mut();
-        this.timeout.poll_timeout(cx)?;
-
-        Pin::new(&mut this.payload).poll_next(cx)
-    }
-}
-
-impl<S> fmt::Debug for ClientResponse<S> {
-    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
-        writeln!(f, "\nClientResponse {:?} {}", self.version(), self.status(),)?;
-        writeln!(f, "  headers:")?;
-        for (key, val) in self.headers().iter() {
-            writeln!(f, "    {:?}: {:?}", key, val)?;
-        }
-        Ok(())
-    }
-}
-
-const DEFAULT_BODY_LIMIT: usize = 2 * 1024 * 1024;
-
-/// Future that resolves to a complete HTTP message body.
-pub struct MessageBody<S> {
-    length: Option<usize>,
-    timeout: ResponseTimeout,
-    body: Result<ReadBody<S>, Option<PayloadError>>,
-}
-
-impl<S> MessageBody<S>
-where
-    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>>,
-{
-    /// Create `MessageBody` for request.
-    pub fn new(res: &mut ClientResponse<S>) -> MessageBody<S> {
-        let length = match res.headers().get(&header::CONTENT_LENGTH) {
-            Some(value) => {
-                let len = value.to_str().ok().and_then(|s| s.parse::<usize>().ok());
-
-                match len {
-                    None => return Self::err(PayloadError::UnknownLength),
-                    len => len,
-                }
-            }
-            None => None,
-        };
-
-        MessageBody {
-            length,
-            timeout: std::mem::take(&mut res.timeout),
-            body: Ok(ReadBody::new(res.take_payload(), DEFAULT_BODY_LIMIT)),
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// Change max size of payload. By default max size is 2048kB
-    pub fn limit(mut self, limit: usize) -> Self {
-        if let Ok(ref mut body) = self.body {
-            body.limit = limit;
-        }
-        self
-    }
-
-    fn err(e: PayloadError) -> Self {
-        MessageBody {
-            length: None,
-            timeout: ResponseTimeout::default(),
-            body: Err(Some(e)),
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-impl<S> Future for MessageBody<S>
-where
-    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>> + Unpin,
-{
-    type Output = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>;
-
-    fn poll(self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<Self::Output> {
-        let this = self.get_mut();
-
-        match this.body {
-            Err(ref mut err) => Poll::Ready(Err(err.take().unwrap())),
-            Ok(ref mut body) => {
-                if let Some(len) = this.length.take() {
-                    if len > body.limit {
-                        return Poll::Ready(Err(PayloadError::Overflow));
-                    }
-                }
-
-                this.timeout.poll_timeout(cx)?;
-
-                Pin::new(body).poll(cx)
-            }
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-/// Response's payload json parser, it resolves to a deserialized `T` value.
-///
-/// Returns error:
-///
-/// * content type is not `application/json`
-/// * content length is greater than 64k
-pub struct JsonBody<S, U> {
-    length: Option<usize>,
-    err: Option<JsonPayloadError>,
-    timeout: ResponseTimeout,
-    fut: Option<ReadBody<S>>,
-    _phantom: PhantomData<U>,
-}
-
-impl<S, U> JsonBody<S, U>
-where
-    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>>,
-    U: DeserializeOwned,
-{
-    /// Create `JsonBody` for request.
-    pub fn new(res: &mut ClientResponse<S>) -> Self {
-        // check content-type
-        let json = if let Ok(Some(mime)) = res.mime_type() {
-            mime.subtype() == mime::JSON || mime.suffix() == Some(mime::JSON)
-        } else {
-            false
-        };
-        if !json {
-            return JsonBody {
-                length: None,
-                fut: None,
-                timeout: ResponseTimeout::default(),
-                err: Some(JsonPayloadError::ContentType),
-                _phantom: PhantomData,
-            };
-        }
-
-        let mut len = None;
-
-        if let Some(l) = res.headers().get(&header::CONTENT_LENGTH) {
-            if let Ok(s) = l.to_str() {
-                if let Ok(l) = s.parse::<usize>() {
-                    len = Some(l)
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
-        JsonBody {
-            length: len,
-            err: None,
-            timeout: std::mem::take(&mut res.timeout),
-            fut: Some(ReadBody::new(res.take_payload(), 65536)),
-            _phantom: PhantomData,
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// Change max size of payload. By default max size is 64kB
-    pub fn limit(mut self, limit: usize) -> Self {
-        if let Some(ref mut fut) = self.fut {
-            fut.limit = limit;
-        }
-        self
-    }
-}
-
-impl<T, U> Unpin for JsonBody<T, U>
-where
-    T: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>> + Unpin,
-    U: DeserializeOwned,
-{
-}
-
-impl<T, U> Future for JsonBody<T, U>
-where
-    T: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>> + Unpin,
-    U: DeserializeOwned,
-{
-    type Output = Result<U, JsonPayloadError>;
-
-    fn poll(mut self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<Self::Output> {
-        if let Some(err) = self.err.take() {
-            return Poll::Ready(Err(err));
-        }
-
-        if let Some(len) = self.length.take() {
-            if len > self.fut.as_ref().unwrap().limit {
-                return Poll::Ready(Err(JsonPayloadError::Payload(PayloadError::Overflow)));
-            }
-        }
-
-        self.timeout
-            .poll_timeout(cx)
-            .map_err(JsonPayloadError::Payload)?;
-
-        let body = ready!(Pin::new(&mut self.get_mut().fut.as_mut().unwrap()).poll(cx))?;
-        Poll::Ready(serde_json::from_slice::<U>(&body).map_err(JsonPayloadError::from))
-    }
-}
-
-struct ReadBody<S> {
-    stream: Payload<S>,
-    buf: BytesMut,
-    limit: usize,
-}
-
-impl<S> ReadBody<S> {
-    fn new(stream: Payload<S>, limit: usize) -> Self {
-        Self {
-            stream,
-            buf: BytesMut::new(),
-            limit,
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-impl<S> Future for ReadBody<S>
-where
-    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>> + Unpin,
-{
-    type Output = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>;
-
-    fn poll(self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<Self::Output> {
-        let this = self.get_mut();
-
-        while let Some(chunk) = ready!(Pin::new(&mut this.stream).poll_next(cx)?) {
-            if (this.buf.len() + chunk.len()) > this.limit {
-                return Poll::Ready(Err(PayloadError::Overflow));
-            }
-            this.buf.extend_from_slice(&chunk);
-        }
-
-        Poll::Ready(Ok(this.buf.split().freeze()))
-    }
-}
-
-#[cfg(test)]
-mod tests {
-    use super::*;
-    use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
-
-    use crate::{http::header, test::TestResponse};
-
-    #[actix_rt::test]
-    async fn test_body() {
-        let mut req = TestResponse::with_header((header::CONTENT_LENGTH, "xxxx")).finish();
-        match req.body().await.err().unwrap() {
-            PayloadError::UnknownLength => {}
-            _ => unreachable!("error"),
-        }
-
-        let mut req = TestResponse::with_header((header::CONTENT_LENGTH, "10000000")).finish();
-        match req.body().await.err().unwrap() {
-            PayloadError::Overflow => {}
-            _ => unreachable!("error"),
-        }
-
-        let mut req = TestResponse::default()
-            .set_payload(Bytes::from_static(b"test"))
-            .finish();
-        assert_eq!(req.body().await.ok().unwrap(), Bytes::from_static(b"test"));
-
-        let mut req = TestResponse::default()
-            .set_payload(Bytes::from_static(b"11111111111111"))
-            .finish();
-        match req.body().limit(5).await.err().unwrap() {
-            PayloadError::Overflow => {}
-            _ => unreachable!("error"),
-        }
-    }
-
-    #[derive(Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Debug)]
-    struct MyObject {
-        name: String,
-    }
-
-    fn json_eq(err: JsonPayloadError, other: JsonPayloadError) -> bool {
-        match err {
-            JsonPayloadError::Payload(PayloadError::Overflow) => {
-                matches!(other, JsonPayloadError::Payload(PayloadError::Overflow))
-            }
-            JsonPayloadError::ContentType => matches!(other, JsonPayloadError::ContentType),
-            _ => false,
-        }
-    }
-
-    #[actix_rt::test]
-    async fn test_json_body() {
-        let mut req = TestResponse::default().finish();
-        let json = JsonBody::<_, MyObject>::new(&mut req).await;
-        assert!(json_eq(json.err().unwrap(), JsonPayloadError::ContentType));
-
-        let mut req = TestResponse::default()
-            .insert_header((
-                header::CONTENT_TYPE,
-                header::HeaderValue::from_static("application/text"),
-            ))
-            .finish();
-        let json = JsonBody::<_, MyObject>::new(&mut req).await;
-        assert!(json_eq(json.err().unwrap(), JsonPayloadError::ContentType));
-
-        let mut req = TestResponse::default()
-            .insert_header((
-                header::CONTENT_TYPE,
-                header::HeaderValue::from_static("application/json"),
-            ))
-            .insert_header((
-                header::CONTENT_LENGTH,
-                header::HeaderValue::from_static("10000"),
-            ))
-            .finish();
-
-        let json = JsonBody::<_, MyObject>::new(&mut req).limit(100).await;
-        assert!(json_eq(
-            json.err().unwrap(),
-            JsonPayloadError::Payload(PayloadError::Overflow)
-        ));
-
-        let mut req = TestResponse::default()
-            .insert_header((
-                header::CONTENT_TYPE,
-                header::HeaderValue::from_static("application/json"),
-            ))
-            .insert_header((
-                header::CONTENT_LENGTH,
-                header::HeaderValue::from_static("16"),
-            ))
-            .set_payload(Bytes::from_static(b"{\"name\": \"test\"}"))
-            .finish();
-
-        let json = JsonBody::<_, MyObject>::new(&mut req).await;
-        assert_eq!(
-            json.ok().unwrap(),
-            MyObject {
-                name: "test".to_owned()
-            }
-        );
-    }
-}
diff --git a/awc/src/responses/json_body.rs b/awc/src/responses/json_body.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3912324b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/awc/src/responses/json_body.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,192 @@
+use std::{
+    future::Future,
+    marker::PhantomData,
+    mem,
+    pin::Pin,
+    task::{Context, Poll},
+};
+
+use actix_http::{error::PayloadError, header, HttpMessage};
+use bytes::Bytes;
+use futures_core::{ready, Stream};
+use pin_project_lite::pin_project;
+use serde::de::DeserializeOwned;
+
+use super::{read_body::ReadBody, ResponseTimeout, DEFAULT_BODY_LIMIT};
+use crate::{error::JsonPayloadError, ClientResponse};
+
+pin_project! {
+    /// A `Future` that reads a body stream, parses JSON, resolving to a deserialized `T`.
+    ///
+    /// # Errors
+    /// `Future` implementation returns error if:
+    /// - content type is not `application/json`;
+    /// - content length is greater than [limit](JsonBody::limit) (default: 2 MiB).
+    pub struct JsonBody<S, T> {
+        #[pin]
+        body: Option<ReadBody<S>>,
+        length: Option<usize>,
+        timeout: ResponseTimeout,
+        err: Option<JsonPayloadError>,
+        _phantom: PhantomData<T>,
+    }
+}
+
+impl<S, T> JsonBody<S, T>
+where
+    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>>,
+    T: DeserializeOwned,
+{
+    /// Creates a JSON body stream reader from a response by taking its payload.
+    pub fn new(res: &mut ClientResponse<S>) -> Self {
+        // check content-type
+        let json = if let Ok(Some(mime)) = res.mime_type() {
+            mime.subtype() == mime::JSON || mime.suffix() == Some(mime::JSON)
+        } else {
+            false
+        };
+
+        if !json {
+            return JsonBody {
+                length: None,
+                body: None,
+                timeout: ResponseTimeout::default(),
+                err: Some(JsonPayloadError::ContentType),
+                _phantom: PhantomData,
+            };
+        }
+
+        let length = res
+            .headers()
+            .get(&header::CONTENT_LENGTH)
+            .and_then(|len_hdr| len_hdr.to_str().ok())
+            .and_then(|len_str| len_str.parse::<usize>().ok());
+
+        JsonBody {
+            body: Some(ReadBody::new(res.take_payload(), DEFAULT_BODY_LIMIT)),
+            length,
+            timeout: mem::take(&mut res.timeout),
+            err: None,
+            _phantom: PhantomData,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Change max size of payload. Default limit is 2 MiB.
+    pub fn limit(mut self, limit: usize) -> Self {
+        if let Some(ref mut fut) = self.body {
+            fut.limit = limit;
+        }
+
+        self
+    }
+}
+
+impl<S, T> Future for JsonBody<S, T>
+where
+    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>>,
+    T: DeserializeOwned,
+{
+    type Output = Result<T, JsonPayloadError>;
+
+    fn poll(self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<Self::Output> {
+        let this = self.project();
+
+        if let Some(err) = this.err.take() {
+            return Poll::Ready(Err(err));
+        }
+
+        if let Some(len) = this.length.take() {
+            let body = Option::as_ref(&this.body).unwrap();
+            if len > body.limit {
+                return Poll::Ready(Err(JsonPayloadError::Payload(PayloadError::Overflow)));
+            }
+        }
+
+        this.timeout
+            .poll_timeout(cx)
+            .map_err(JsonPayloadError::Payload)?;
+
+        let body = ready!(this.body.as_pin_mut().unwrap().poll(cx))?;
+        Poll::Ready(serde_json::from_slice::<T>(&body).map_err(JsonPayloadError::from))
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use actix_http::BoxedPayloadStream;
+    use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+    use static_assertions::assert_impl_all;
+
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::{http::header, test::TestResponse};
+
+    assert_impl_all!(JsonBody<BoxedPayloadStream, String>: Unpin);
+
+    #[derive(Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Debug)]
+    struct MyObject {
+        name: String,
+    }
+
+    fn json_eq(err: JsonPayloadError, other: JsonPayloadError) -> bool {
+        match err {
+            JsonPayloadError::Payload(PayloadError::Overflow) => {
+                matches!(other, JsonPayloadError::Payload(PayloadError::Overflow))
+            }
+            JsonPayloadError::ContentType => matches!(other, JsonPayloadError::ContentType),
+            _ => false,
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[actix_rt::test]
+    async fn read_json_body() {
+        let mut req = TestResponse::default().finish();
+        let json = JsonBody::<_, MyObject>::new(&mut req).await;
+        assert!(json_eq(json.err().unwrap(), JsonPayloadError::ContentType));
+
+        let mut req = TestResponse::default()
+            .insert_header((
+                header::CONTENT_TYPE,
+                header::HeaderValue::from_static("application/text"),
+            ))
+            .finish();
+        let json = JsonBody::<_, MyObject>::new(&mut req).await;
+        assert!(json_eq(json.err().unwrap(), JsonPayloadError::ContentType));
+
+        let mut req = TestResponse::default()
+            .insert_header((
+                header::CONTENT_TYPE,
+                header::HeaderValue::from_static("application/json"),
+            ))
+            .insert_header((
+                header::CONTENT_LENGTH,
+                header::HeaderValue::from_static("10000"),
+            ))
+            .finish();
+
+        let json = JsonBody::<_, MyObject>::new(&mut req).limit(100).await;
+        assert!(json_eq(
+            json.err().unwrap(),
+            JsonPayloadError::Payload(PayloadError::Overflow)
+        ));
+
+        let mut req = TestResponse::default()
+            .insert_header((
+                header::CONTENT_TYPE,
+                header::HeaderValue::from_static("application/json"),
+            ))
+            .insert_header((
+                header::CONTENT_LENGTH,
+                header::HeaderValue::from_static("16"),
+            ))
+            .set_payload(Bytes::from_static(b"{\"name\": \"test\"}"))
+            .finish();
+
+        let json = JsonBody::<_, MyObject>::new(&mut req).await;
+        assert_eq!(
+            json.ok().unwrap(),
+            MyObject {
+                name: "test".to_owned()
+            }
+        );
+    }
+}
diff --git a/awc/src/responses/mod.rs b/awc/src/responses/mod.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..588ce014c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/awc/src/responses/mod.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+use std::{future::Future, io, pin::Pin, task::Context};
+
+use actix_http::error::PayloadError;
+use actix_rt::time::Sleep;
+
+mod json_body;
+mod read_body;
+mod response;
+mod response_body;
+
+pub use self::json_body::JsonBody;
+pub use self::response::ClientResponse;
+#[allow(deprecated)]
+pub use self::response_body::{MessageBody, ResponseBody};
+
+/// Default body size limit: 2 MiB
+const DEFAULT_BODY_LIMIT: usize = 2 * 1024 * 1024;
+
+/// Helper enum with reusable sleep passed from `SendClientResponse`.
+///
+/// See [`ClientResponse::_timeout`] for reason.
+pub(crate) enum ResponseTimeout {
+    Disabled(Option<Pin<Box<Sleep>>>),
+    Enabled(Pin<Box<Sleep>>),
+}
+
+impl Default for ResponseTimeout {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self::Disabled(None)
+    }
+}
+
+impl ResponseTimeout {
+    fn poll_timeout(&mut self, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Result<(), PayloadError> {
+        match *self {
+            Self::Enabled(ref mut timeout) => {
+                if timeout.as_mut().poll(cx).is_ready() {
+                    Err(PayloadError::Io(io::Error::new(
+                        io::ErrorKind::TimedOut,
+                        "Response Payload IO timed out",
+                    )))
+                } else {
+                    Ok(())
+                }
+            }
+            Self::Disabled(_) => Ok(()),
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/awc/src/responses/read_body.rs b/awc/src/responses/read_body.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a32bbb984
--- /dev/null
+++ b/awc/src/responses/read_body.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+use std::{
+    future::Future,
+    pin::Pin,
+    task::{Context, Poll},
+};
+
+use actix_http::{error::PayloadError, Payload};
+use bytes::{Bytes, BytesMut};
+use futures_core::{ready, Stream};
+use pin_project_lite::pin_project;
+
+pin_project! {
+    pub(crate) struct ReadBody<S> {
+        #[pin]
+        pub(crate) stream: Payload<S>,
+        pub(crate) buf: BytesMut,
+        pub(crate) limit: usize,
+    }
+}
+
+impl<S> ReadBody<S> {
+    pub(crate) fn new(stream: Payload<S>, limit: usize) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            stream,
+            buf: BytesMut::new(),
+            limit,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl<S> Future for ReadBody<S>
+where
+    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>>,
+{
+    type Output = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>;
+
+    fn poll(self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<Self::Output> {
+        let mut this = self.project();
+
+        while let Some(chunk) = ready!(this.stream.as_mut().poll_next(cx)?) {
+            if (this.buf.len() + chunk.len()) > *this.limit {
+                return Poll::Ready(Err(PayloadError::Overflow));
+            }
+
+            this.buf.extend_from_slice(&chunk);
+        }
+
+        Poll::Ready(Ok(this.buf.split().freeze()))
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use static_assertions::assert_impl_all;
+
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::any_body::AnyBody;
+
+    assert_impl_all!(ReadBody<()>: Unpin);
+    assert_impl_all!(ReadBody<AnyBody>: Unpin);
+}
diff --git a/awc/src/responses/response.rs b/awc/src/responses/response.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0197265f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/awc/src/responses/response.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,258 @@
+use std::{
+    cell::{Ref, RefMut},
+    fmt, mem,
+    pin::Pin,
+    task::{Context, Poll},
+    time::{Duration, Instant},
+};
+
+use actix_http::{
+    error::PayloadError, header::HeaderMap, BoxedPayloadStream, Extensions, HttpMessage,
+    Payload, ResponseHead, StatusCode, Version,
+};
+use actix_rt::time::{sleep, Sleep};
+use bytes::Bytes;
+use futures_core::Stream;
+use pin_project_lite::pin_project;
+use serde::de::DeserializeOwned;
+
+#[cfg(feature = "cookies")]
+use crate::cookie::{Cookie, ParseError as CookieParseError};
+
+use super::{JsonBody, ResponseBody, ResponseTimeout};
+
+pin_project! {
+    /// Client Response
+    pub struct ClientResponse<S = BoxedPayloadStream> {
+        pub(crate) head: ResponseHead,
+        #[pin]
+        pub(crate) payload: Payload<S>,
+        pub(crate) timeout: ResponseTimeout,
+    }
+}
+
+impl<S> ClientResponse<S> {
+    /// Create new Request instance
+    pub(crate) fn new(head: ResponseHead, payload: Payload<S>) -> Self {
+        ClientResponse {
+            head,
+            payload,
+            timeout: ResponseTimeout::default(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[inline]
+    pub(crate) fn head(&self) -> &ResponseHead {
+        &self.head
+    }
+
+    /// Read the Request Version.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn version(&self) -> Version {
+        self.head().version
+    }
+
+    /// Get the status from the server.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn status(&self) -> StatusCode {
+        self.head().status
+    }
+
+    #[inline]
+    /// Returns request's headers.
+    pub fn headers(&self) -> &HeaderMap {
+        &self.head().headers
+    }
+
+    /// Set a body and return previous body value
+    pub fn map_body<F, U>(mut self, f: F) -> ClientResponse<U>
+    where
+        F: FnOnce(&mut ResponseHead, Payload<S>) -> Payload<U>,
+    {
+        let payload = f(&mut self.head, self.payload);
+
+        ClientResponse {
+            payload,
+            head: self.head,
+            timeout: self.timeout,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Set a timeout duration for [`ClientResponse`](self::ClientResponse).
+    ///
+    /// This duration covers the duration of processing the response body stream
+    /// and would end it as timeout error when deadline met.
+    ///
+    /// Disabled by default.
+    pub fn timeout(self, dur: Duration) -> Self {
+        let timeout = match self.timeout {
+            ResponseTimeout::Disabled(Some(mut timeout))
+            | ResponseTimeout::Enabled(mut timeout) => match Instant::now().checked_add(dur) {
+                Some(deadline) => {
+                    timeout.as_mut().reset(deadline.into());
+                    ResponseTimeout::Enabled(timeout)
+                }
+                None => ResponseTimeout::Enabled(Box::pin(sleep(dur))),
+            },
+            _ => ResponseTimeout::Enabled(Box::pin(sleep(dur))),
+        };
+
+        Self {
+            payload: self.payload,
+            head: self.head,
+            timeout,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// This method does not enable timeout. It's used to pass the boxed `Sleep` from
+    /// `SendClientRequest` and reuse it's heap allocation together with it's slot in
+    /// timer wheel.
+    pub(crate) fn _timeout(mut self, timeout: Option<Pin<Box<Sleep>>>) -> Self {
+        self.timeout = ResponseTimeout::Disabled(timeout);
+        self
+    }
+
+    /// Load request cookies.
+    #[cfg(feature = "cookies")]
+    pub fn cookies(&self) -> Result<Ref<'_, Vec<Cookie<'static>>>, CookieParseError> {
+        struct Cookies(Vec<Cookie<'static>>);
+
+        if self.extensions().get::<Cookies>().is_none() {
+            let mut cookies = Vec::new();
+            for hdr in self.headers().get_all(&actix_http::header::SET_COOKIE) {
+                let s = std::str::from_utf8(hdr.as_bytes()).map_err(CookieParseError::from)?;
+                cookies.push(Cookie::parse_encoded(s)?.into_owned());
+            }
+            self.extensions_mut().insert(Cookies(cookies));
+        }
+
+        Ok(Ref::map(self.extensions(), |ext| {
+            &ext.get::<Cookies>().unwrap().0
+        }))
+    }
+
+    /// Return request cookie.
+    #[cfg(feature = "cookies")]
+    pub fn cookie(&self, name: &str) -> Option<Cookie<'static>> {
+        if let Ok(cookies) = self.cookies() {
+            for cookie in cookies.iter() {
+                if cookie.name() == name {
+                    return Some(cookie.to_owned());
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        None
+    }
+}
+
+impl<S> ClientResponse<S>
+where
+    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>>,
+{
+    /// Returns a [`Future`] that consumes the body stream and resolves to [`Bytes`].
+    ///
+    /// # Errors
+    /// `Future` implementation returns error if:
+    /// - content type is not `application/json`
+    /// - content length is greater than [limit](JsonBody::limit) (default: 2 MiB)
+    ///
+    /// # Examples
+    /// ```no_run
+    /// # use awc::Client;
+    /// # use bytes::Bytes;
+    /// # #[actix_rt::main]
+    /// # async fn async_ctx() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
+    /// let client = Client::default();
+    /// let mut res = client.get("https://httpbin.org/robots.txt").send().await?;
+    /// let body: Bytes = res.body().await?;
+    /// # Ok(())
+    /// # }
+    /// ```
+    ///
+    /// [`Future`]: std::future::Future
+    pub fn body(&mut self) -> ResponseBody<S> {
+        ResponseBody::new(self)
+    }
+
+    /// Returns a [`Future`] consumes the body stream, parses JSON, and resolves to a deserialized
+    /// `T` value.
+    ///
+    /// # Errors
+    /// Future returns error if:
+    /// - content type is not `application/json`;
+    /// - content length is greater than [limit](JsonBody::limit) (default: 2 MiB).
+    ///
+    /// # Examples
+    /// ```no_run
+    /// # use awc::Client;
+    /// # #[actix_rt::main]
+    /// # async fn async_ctx() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
+    /// let client = Client::default();
+    /// let mut res = client.get("https://httpbin.org/json").send().await?;
+    /// let val = res.json::<serde_json::Value>().await?;
+    /// assert!(val.is_object());
+    /// # Ok(())
+    /// # }
+    /// ```
+    ///
+    /// [`Future`]: std::future::Future
+    pub fn json<T: DeserializeOwned>(&mut self) -> JsonBody<S, T> {
+        JsonBody::new(self)
+    }
+}
+
+impl<S> fmt::Debug for ClientResponse<S> {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
+        writeln!(f, "\nClientResponse {:?} {}", self.version(), self.status(),)?;
+        writeln!(f, "  headers:")?;
+        for (key, val) in self.headers().iter() {
+            writeln!(f, "    {:?}: {:?}", key, val)?;
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}
+
+impl<S> HttpMessage for ClientResponse<S> {
+    type Stream = S;
+
+    fn headers(&self) -> &HeaderMap {
+        &self.head.headers
+    }
+
+    fn take_payload(&mut self) -> Payload<S> {
+        mem::replace(&mut self.payload, Payload::None)
+    }
+
+    fn extensions(&self) -> Ref<'_, Extensions> {
+        self.head.extensions()
+    }
+
+    fn extensions_mut(&self) -> RefMut<'_, Extensions> {
+        self.head.extensions_mut()
+    }
+}
+
+impl<S> Stream for ClientResponse<S>
+where
+    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>> + Unpin,
+{
+    type Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>;
+
+    fn poll_next(self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<Option<Self::Item>> {
+        let this = self.project();
+        this.timeout.poll_timeout(cx)?;
+        this.payload.poll_next(cx)
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use static_assertions::assert_impl_all;
+
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::any_body::AnyBody;
+
+    assert_impl_all!(ClientResponse: Unpin);
+    assert_impl_all!(ClientResponse<()>: Unpin);
+    assert_impl_all!(ClientResponse<AnyBody>: Unpin);
+}
diff --git a/awc/src/responses/response_body.rs b/awc/src/responses/response_body.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8d9d1274a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/awc/src/responses/response_body.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,144 @@
+use std::{
+    future::Future,
+    mem,
+    pin::Pin,
+    task::{Context, Poll},
+};
+
+use actix_http::{error::PayloadError, header, HttpMessage};
+use bytes::Bytes;
+use futures_core::Stream;
+use pin_project_lite::pin_project;
+
+use super::{read_body::ReadBody, ResponseTimeout, DEFAULT_BODY_LIMIT};
+use crate::ClientResponse;
+
+pin_project! {
+    /// A `Future` that reads a body stream, resolving as [`Bytes`].
+    ///
+    /// # Errors
+    /// `Future` implementation returns error if:
+    /// - content type is not `application/json`;
+    /// - content length is greater than [limit](JsonBody::limit) (default: 2 MiB).
+    pub struct ResponseBody<S> {
+        #[pin]
+        body: Option<ReadBody<S>>,
+        length: Option<usize>,
+        timeout: ResponseTimeout,
+        err: Option<PayloadError>,
+    }
+}
+
+#[deprecated(since = "3.0.0", note = "Renamed to `ResponseBody`.")]
+pub type MessageBody<B> = ResponseBody<B>;
+
+impl<S> ResponseBody<S>
+where
+    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>>,
+{
+    /// Creates a body stream reader from a response by taking its payload.
+    pub fn new(res: &mut ClientResponse<S>) -> ResponseBody<S> {
+        let length = match res.headers().get(&header::CONTENT_LENGTH) {
+            Some(value) => {
+                let len = value.to_str().ok().and_then(|s| s.parse::<usize>().ok());
+
+                match len {
+                    None => return Self::err(PayloadError::UnknownLength),
+                    len => len,
+                }
+            }
+            None => None,
+        };
+
+        ResponseBody {
+            body: Some(ReadBody::new(res.take_payload(), DEFAULT_BODY_LIMIT)),
+            length,
+            timeout: mem::take(&mut res.timeout),
+            err: None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Change max size limit of payload.
+    ///
+    /// The default limit is 2 MiB.
+    pub fn limit(mut self, limit: usize) -> Self {
+        if let Some(ref mut body) = self.body {
+            body.limit = limit;
+        }
+
+        self
+    }
+
+    fn err(err: PayloadError) -> Self {
+        ResponseBody {
+            body: None,
+            length: None,
+            timeout: ResponseTimeout::default(),
+            err: Some(err),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl<S> Future for ResponseBody<S>
+where
+    S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>>,
+{
+    type Output = Result<Bytes, PayloadError>;
+
+    fn poll(self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<Self::Output> {
+        let this = self.project();
+
+        if let Some(err) = this.err.take() {
+            return Poll::Ready(Err(err));
+        }
+
+        if let Some(len) = this.length.take() {
+            let body = Option::as_ref(&this.body).unwrap();
+            if len > body.limit {
+                return Poll::Ready(Err(PayloadError::Overflow));
+            }
+        }
+
+        this.timeout.poll_timeout(cx)?;
+
+        this.body.as_pin_mut().unwrap().poll(cx)
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use static_assertions::assert_impl_all;
+
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::{http::header, test::TestResponse};
+
+    assert_impl_all!(ResponseBody<()>: Unpin);
+
+    #[actix_rt::test]
+    async fn read_body() {
+        let mut req = TestResponse::with_header((header::CONTENT_LENGTH, "xxxx")).finish();
+        match req.body().await.err().unwrap() {
+            PayloadError::UnknownLength => {}
+            _ => unreachable!("error"),
+        }
+
+        let mut req = TestResponse::with_header((header::CONTENT_LENGTH, "10000000")).finish();
+        match req.body().await.err().unwrap() {
+            PayloadError::Overflow => {}
+            _ => unreachable!("error"),
+        }
+
+        let mut req = TestResponse::default()
+            .set_payload(Bytes::from_static(b"test"))
+            .finish();
+        assert_eq!(req.body().await.ok().unwrap(), Bytes::from_static(b"test"));
+
+        let mut req = TestResponse::default()
+            .set_payload(Bytes::from_static(b"11111111111111"))
+            .finish();
+        match req.body().limit(5).await.err().unwrap() {
+            PayloadError::Overflow => {}
+            _ => unreachable!("error"),
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/awc/src/sender.rs b/awc/src/sender.rs
index f83a70a9b..cd30e571d 100644
--- a/awc/src/sender.rs
+++ b/awc/src/sender.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use std::{
 };
 
 use actix_http::{
-    body::BodyStream,
+    body::{BodyStream, MessageBody},
     error::HttpError,
     header::{self, HeaderMap, HeaderName, TryIntoHeaderValue},
     RequestHead, RequestHeadType,
@@ -20,12 +20,13 @@ use futures_core::Stream;
 use serde::Serialize;
 
 #[cfg(feature = "__compress")]
-use actix_http::{encoding::Decoder, header::ContentEncoding, Payload, PayloadStream};
+use actix_http::{encoding::Decoder, header::ContentEncoding, Payload};
 
 use crate::{
     any_body::AnyBody,
+    client::ClientConfig,
     error::{FreezeRequestError, InvalidUrl, SendRequestError},
-    BoxError, ClientConfig, ClientResponse, ConnectRequest, ConnectResponse,
+    BoxError, ClientResponse, ConnectRequest, ConnectResponse,
 };
 
 #[derive(Debug, From)]
@@ -91,7 +92,7 @@ impl SendClientRequest {
 
 #[cfg(feature = "__compress")]
 impl Future for SendClientRequest {
-    type Output = Result<ClientResponse<Decoder<Payload<PayloadStream>>>, SendRequestError>;
+    type Output = Result<ClientResponse<Decoder<Payload>>, SendRequestError>;
 
     fn poll(self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<Self::Output> {
         let this = self.get_mut();
@@ -108,12 +109,13 @@ impl Future for SendClientRequest {
                     res.into_client_response()._timeout(delay.take()).map_body(
                         |head, payload| {
                             if *response_decompress {
-                                Payload::Stream(Decoder::from_headers(payload, &head.headers))
+                                Payload::Stream {
+                                    payload: Decoder::from_headers(payload, &head.headers),
+                                }
                             } else {
-                                Payload::Stream(Decoder::new(
-                                    payload,
-                                    ContentEncoding::Identity,
-                                ))
+                                Payload::Stream {
+                                    payload: Decoder::new(payload, ContentEncoding::Identity),
+                                }
                             }
                         },
                     )
@@ -179,24 +181,23 @@ pub(crate) enum RequestSender {
 }
 
 impl RequestSender {
-    pub(crate) fn send_body<B>(
+    pub(crate) fn send_body(
         self,
         addr: Option<net::SocketAddr>,
         response_decompress: bool,
         timeout: Option<Duration>,
         config: &ClientConfig,
-        body: B,
-    ) -> SendClientRequest
-    where
-        B: Into<AnyBody>,
-    {
+        body: impl MessageBody + 'static,
+    ) -> SendClientRequest {
         let req = match self {
-            RequestSender::Owned(head) => {
-                ConnectRequest::Client(RequestHeadType::Owned(head), body.into(), addr)
-            }
+            RequestSender::Owned(head) => ConnectRequest::Client(
+                RequestHeadType::Owned(head),
+                AnyBody::from_message_body(body).into_boxed(),
+                addr,
+            ),
             RequestSender::Rc(head, extra_headers) => ConnectRequest::Client(
                 RequestHeadType::Rc(head, extra_headers),
-                body.into(),
+                AnyBody::from_message_body(body).into_boxed(),
                 addr,
             ),
         };
@@ -206,15 +207,15 @@ impl RequestSender {
         SendClientRequest::new(fut, response_decompress, timeout.or(config.timeout))
     }
 
-    pub(crate) fn send_json<T: Serialize>(
+    pub(crate) fn send_json(
         mut self,
         addr: Option<net::SocketAddr>,
         response_decompress: bool,
         timeout: Option<Duration>,
         config: &ClientConfig,
-        value: &T,
+        value: impl Serialize,
     ) -> SendClientRequest {
-        let body = match serde_json::to_string(value) {
+        let body = match serde_json::to_string(&value) {
             Ok(body) => body,
             Err(err) => return PrepForSendingError::Json(err).into(),
         };
@@ -223,24 +224,16 @@ impl RequestSender {
             return e.into();
         }
 
-        self.send_body(
-            addr,
-            response_decompress,
-            timeout,
-            config,
-            AnyBody::Bytes {
-                body: Bytes::from(body),
-            },
-        )
+        self.send_body(addr, response_decompress, timeout, config, body)
     }
 
-    pub(crate) fn send_form<T: Serialize>(
+    pub(crate) fn send_form(
         mut self,
         addr: Option<net::SocketAddr>,
         response_decompress: bool,
         timeout: Option<Duration>,
         config: &ClientConfig,
-        value: &T,
+        value: impl Serialize,
     ) -> SendClientRequest {
         let body = match serde_urlencoded::to_string(value) {
             Ok(body) => body,
@@ -248,21 +241,13 @@ impl RequestSender {
         };
 
         // set content-type
-        if let Err(e) =
+        if let Err(err) =
             self.set_header_if_none(header::CONTENT_TYPE, "application/x-www-form-urlencoded")
         {
-            return e.into();
+            return err.into();
         }
 
-        self.send_body(
-            addr,
-            response_decompress,
-            timeout,
-            config,
-            AnyBody::Bytes {
-                body: Bytes::from(body),
-            },
-        )
+        self.send_body(addr, response_decompress, timeout, config, body)
     }
 
     pub(crate) fn send_stream<S, E>(
@@ -274,7 +259,7 @@ impl RequestSender {
         stream: S,
     ) -> SendClientRequest
     where
-        S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, E>> + Unpin + 'static,
+        S: Stream<Item = Result<Bytes, E>> + 'static,
         E: Into<BoxError> + 'static,
     {
         self.send_body(
@@ -282,7 +267,7 @@ impl RequestSender {
             response_decompress,
             timeout,
             config,
-            AnyBody::new_boxed(BodyStream::new(stream)),
+            BodyStream::new(stream),
         )
     }
 
@@ -293,7 +278,7 @@ impl RequestSender {
         timeout: Option<Duration>,
         config: &ClientConfig,
     ) -> SendClientRequest {
-        self.send_body(addr, response_decompress, timeout, config, AnyBody::empty())
+        self.send_body(addr, response_decompress, timeout, config, ())
     }
 
     fn set_header_if_none<V>(&mut self, key: HeaderName, value: V) -> Result<(), HttpError>
diff --git a/awc/src/test.rs b/awc/src/test.rs
index 1b41efc93..96ae1f0a1 100644
--- a/awc/src/test.rs
+++ b/awc/src/test.rs
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ impl TestResponse {
 
     /// Set response's payload
     pub fn set_payload<B: Into<Bytes>>(mut self, data: B) -> Self {
-        let mut payload = h1::Payload::empty();
+        let (_, mut payload) = h1::Payload::create(true);
         payload.unread_data(data.into());
         self.payload = Some(payload.into());
         self
@@ -90,7 +90,8 @@ impl TestResponse {
         if let Some(pl) = self.payload {
             ClientResponse::new(head, pl)
         } else {
-            ClientResponse::new(head, h1::Payload::empty().into())
+            let (_, payload) = h1::Payload::create(true);
+            ClientResponse::new(head, payload.into())
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/awc/src/ws.rs b/awc/src/ws.rs
index 06d54aadb..f3ee02d43 100644
--- a/awc/src/ws.rs
+++ b/awc/src/ws.rs
@@ -31,19 +31,19 @@ use std::{convert::TryFrom, fmt, net::SocketAddr, str};
 use actix_codec::Framed;
 use actix_http::{ws, Payload, RequestHead};
 use actix_rt::time::timeout;
-use actix_service::Service;
+use actix_service::Service as _;
 
 pub use actix_http::ws::{CloseCode, CloseReason, Codec, Frame, Message};
 
 use crate::{
+    client::ClientConfig,
     connect::{BoxedSocket, ConnectRequest},
     error::{HttpError, InvalidUrl, SendRequestError, WsClientError},
     http::{
         header::{self, HeaderName, HeaderValue, TryIntoHeaderValue, AUTHORIZATION},
         ConnectionType, Method, StatusCode, Uri, Version,
     },
-    response::ClientResponse,
-    ClientConfig,
+    ClientResponse,
 };
 
 #[cfg(feature = "cookies")]
@@ -300,13 +300,16 @@ impl WebsocketsRequest {
         }
 
         self.head.set_connection_type(ConnectionType::Upgrade);
+
+        #[allow(clippy::declare_interior_mutable_const)]
+        const HV_WEBSOCKET: HeaderValue = HeaderValue::from_static("websocket");
+        self.head.headers.insert(header::UPGRADE, HV_WEBSOCKET);
+
+        #[allow(clippy::declare_interior_mutable_const)]
+        const HV_THIRTEEN: HeaderValue = HeaderValue::from_static("13");
         self.head
             .headers
-            .insert(header::UPGRADE, HeaderValue::from_static("websocket"));
-        self.head.headers.insert(
-            header::SEC_WEBSOCKET_VERSION,
-            HeaderValue::from_static("13"),
-        );
+            .insert(header::SEC_WEBSOCKET_VERSION, HV_THIRTEEN);
 
         if let Some(protocols) = self.protocols.take() {
             self.head.headers.insert(
diff --git a/awc/tests/test_client.rs b/awc/tests/test_client.rs
index c453a768d..c1378157b 100644
--- a/awc/tests/test_client.rs
+++ b/awc/tests/test_client.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 use std::{
     collections::HashMap,
+    convert::Infallible,
     io::{Read, Write},
     net::{IpAddr, Ipv4Addr},
     sync::{
@@ -15,43 +16,16 @@ use cookie::Cookie;
 use futures_util::stream;
 use rand::Rng;
 
-#[cfg(feature = "compress-brotli")]
-use brotli2::write::BrotliEncoder;
-
-#[cfg(feature = "compress-gzip")]
-use flate2::{read::GzDecoder, write::GzEncoder, Compression};
-
-use actix_http::{ContentEncoding, HttpService, StatusCode};
+use actix_http::{HttpService, StatusCode};
 use actix_http_test::test_server;
 use actix_service::{fn_service, map_config, ServiceFactoryExt as _};
-use actix_web::{
-    dev::{AppConfig, BodyEncoding},
-    http::header,
-    web, App, Error, HttpRequest, HttpResponse,
-};
+use actix_web::{dev::AppConfig, http::header, web, App, Error, HttpRequest, HttpResponse};
 use awc::error::{JsonPayloadError, PayloadError, SendRequestError};
 
-const STR: &str = "Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World";
+mod utils;
+
+const S: &str = "Hello World ";
+const STR: &str = const_str::repeat!(S, 100);
 
 #[actix_rt::test]
 async fn test_simple() {
@@ -471,15 +445,12 @@ async fn test_no_decompress() {
     let srv = actix_test::start(|| {
         App::new()
             .wrap(actix_web::middleware::Compress::default())
-            .service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(|| {
-                let mut res = HttpResponse::Ok().body(STR);
-                res.encoding(header::ContentEncoding::Gzip);
-                res
-            })))
+            .service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(|| HttpResponse::Ok().body(STR))))
     });
 
     let mut res = awc::Client::new()
         .get(srv.url("/"))
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
         .no_decompress()
         .send()
         .await
@@ -488,15 +459,12 @@ async fn test_no_decompress() {
 
     // read response
     let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
-
-    let mut e = GzDecoder::new(&bytes[..]);
-    let mut dec = Vec::new();
-    e.read_to_end(&mut dec).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(Bytes::from(dec), Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
+    assert_eq!(utils::gzip::decode(bytes), STR.as_bytes());
 
     // POST
     let mut res = awc::Client::new()
         .post(srv.url("/"))
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
         .no_decompress()
         .send()
         .await
@@ -504,10 +472,7 @@ async fn test_no_decompress() {
     assert!(res.status().is_success());
 
     let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
-    let mut e = GzDecoder::new(&bytes[..]);
-    let mut dec = Vec::new();
-    e.read_to_end(&mut dec).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(Bytes::from(dec), Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
+    assert_eq!(utils::gzip::decode(bytes), STR.as_bytes());
 }
 
 #[cfg(feature = "compress-gzip")]
@@ -515,13 +480,9 @@ async fn test_no_decompress() {
 async fn test_client_gzip_encoding() {
     let srv = actix_test::start(|| {
         App::new().service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(|| {
-            let mut e = GzEncoder::new(Vec::new(), Compression::default());
-            e.write_all(STR.as_ref()).unwrap();
-            let data = e.finish().unwrap();
-
             HttpResponse::Ok()
-                .insert_header(("content-encoding", "gzip"))
-                .body(data)
+                .insert_header(header::ContentEncoding::Gzip)
+                .body(utils::gzip::encode(STR))
         })))
     });
 
@@ -531,7 +492,7 @@ async fn test_client_gzip_encoding() {
 
     // read response
     let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
+    assert_eq!(bytes, STR);
 }
 
 #[cfg(feature = "compress-gzip")]
@@ -539,13 +500,9 @@ async fn test_client_gzip_encoding() {
 async fn test_client_gzip_encoding_large() {
     let srv = actix_test::start(|| {
         App::new().service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(|| {
-            let mut e = GzEncoder::new(Vec::new(), Compression::default());
-            e.write_all(STR.repeat(10).as_ref()).unwrap();
-            let data = e.finish().unwrap();
-
             HttpResponse::Ok()
-                .insert_header(("content-encoding", "gzip"))
-                .body(data)
+                .insert_header(header::ContentEncoding::Gzip)
+                .body(utils::gzip::encode(STR.repeat(10)))
         })))
     });
 
@@ -555,7 +512,7 @@ async fn test_client_gzip_encoding_large() {
 
     // read response
     let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from(STR.repeat(10)));
+    assert_eq!(bytes, STR.repeat(10));
 }
 
 #[cfg(feature = "compress-gzip")]
@@ -569,12 +526,9 @@ async fn test_client_gzip_encoding_large_random() {
 
     let srv = actix_test::start(|| {
         App::new().service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(|data: Bytes| {
-            let mut e = GzEncoder::new(Vec::new(), Compression::default());
-            e.write_all(&data).unwrap();
-            let data = e.finish().unwrap();
             HttpResponse::Ok()
-                .insert_header(("content-encoding", "gzip"))
-                .body(data)
+                .insert_header(header::ContentEncoding::Gzip)
+                .body(utils::gzip::encode(data))
         })))
     });
 
@@ -584,7 +538,7 @@ async fn test_client_gzip_encoding_large_random() {
 
     // read response
     let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from(data));
+    assert_eq!(bytes, data);
 }
 
 #[cfg(feature = "compress-brotli")]
@@ -592,12 +546,9 @@ async fn test_client_gzip_encoding_large_random() {
 async fn test_client_brotli_encoding() {
     let srv = actix_test::start(|| {
         App::new().service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(|data: Bytes| {
-            let mut e = BrotliEncoder::new(Vec::new(), 5);
-            e.write_all(&data).unwrap();
-            let data = e.finish().unwrap();
             HttpResponse::Ok()
                 .insert_header(("content-encoding", "br"))
-                .body(data)
+                .body(utils::brotli::encode(data))
         })))
     });
 
@@ -621,12 +572,9 @@ async fn test_client_brotli_encoding_large_random() {
 
     let srv = actix_test::start(|| {
         App::new().service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(|data: Bytes| {
-            let mut e = BrotliEncoder::new(Vec::new(), 5);
-            e.write_all(&data).unwrap();
-            let data = e.finish().unwrap();
             HttpResponse::Ok()
-                .insert_header(("content-encoding", "br"))
-                .body(data)
+                .insert_header(header::ContentEncoding::Brotli)
+                .body(utils::brotli::encode(&data))
         })))
     });
 
@@ -636,25 +584,25 @@ async fn test_client_brotli_encoding_large_random() {
 
     // read response
     let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(bytes.len(), data.len());
-    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from(data));
+    assert_eq!(bytes, data);
 }
 
 #[actix_rt::test]
 async fn test_client_deflate_encoding() {
     let srv = actix_test::start(|| {
-        App::new().default_service(web::to(|body: Bytes| {
-            HttpResponse::Ok().encoding(ContentEncoding::Br).body(body)
-        }))
+        App::new().default_service(web::to(|body: Bytes| HttpResponse::Ok().body(body)))
     });
 
-    let req = srv.post("/").send_body(STR);
+    let req = srv
+        .post("/")
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
+        .send_body(STR);
 
     let mut res = req.await.unwrap();
     assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
     let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
+    assert_eq!(bytes, STR);
 }
 
 #[actix_rt::test]
@@ -666,12 +614,13 @@ async fn test_client_deflate_encoding_large_random() {
         .collect::<String>();
 
     let srv = actix_test::start(|| {
-        App::new().default_service(web::to(|body: Bytes| {
-            HttpResponse::Ok().encoding(ContentEncoding::Br).body(body)
-        }))
+        App::new().default_service(web::to(|body: Bytes| HttpResponse::Ok().body(body)))
     });
 
-    let req = srv.post("/").send_body(data.clone());
+    let req = srv
+        .post("/")
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "br"))
+        .send_body(data.clone());
 
     let mut res = req.await.unwrap();
     let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
@@ -684,15 +633,16 @@ async fn test_client_deflate_encoding_large_random() {
 async fn test_client_streaming_explicit() {
     let srv = actix_test::start(|| {
         App::new().default_service(web::to(|body: web::Payload| {
-            HttpResponse::Ok()
-                .encoding(ContentEncoding::Identity)
-                .streaming(body)
+            HttpResponse::Ok().streaming(body)
         }))
     });
 
     let body =
         stream::once(async { Ok::<_, actix_http::Error>(Bytes::from_static(STR.as_bytes())) });
-    let req = srv.post("/").send_stream(Box::pin(body));
+    let req = srv
+        .post("/")
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "identity"))
+        .send_stream(Box::pin(body));
 
     let mut res = req.await.unwrap();
     assert!(res.status().is_success());
@@ -705,17 +655,16 @@ async fn test_client_streaming_explicit() {
 async fn test_body_streaming_implicit() {
     let srv = actix_test::start(|| {
         App::new().default_service(web::to(|| {
-            let body = stream::once(async {
-                Ok::<_, actix_http::Error>(Bytes::from_static(STR.as_bytes()))
-            });
-
-            HttpResponse::Ok()
-                .encoding(ContentEncoding::Gzip)
-                .streaming(Box::pin(body))
+            let body =
+                stream::once(async { Ok::<_, Infallible>(Bytes::from_static(STR.as_bytes())) });
+            HttpResponse::Ok().streaming(body)
         }))
     });
 
-    let req = srv.get("/").send();
+    let req = srv
+        .get("/")
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
+        .send();
 
     let mut res = req.await.unwrap();
     assert!(res.status().is_success());
diff --git a/awc/tests/utils.rs b/awc/tests/utils.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9a3743d8b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/awc/tests/utils.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+// compiling some tests will trigger unused function warnings even though other tests use them
+#![allow(dead_code)]
+
+use std::io::{Read as _, Write as _};
+
+pub mod gzip {
+    use super::*;
+    use flate2::{read::GzDecoder, write::GzEncoder, Compression};
+
+    pub fn encode(bytes: impl AsRef<[u8]>) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let mut encoder = GzEncoder::new(Vec::new(), Compression::fast());
+        encoder.write_all(bytes.as_ref()).unwrap();
+        encoder.finish().unwrap()
+    }
+
+    pub fn decode(bytes: impl AsRef<[u8]>) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let mut decoder = GzDecoder::new(bytes.as_ref());
+        let mut buf = Vec::new();
+        decoder.read_to_end(&mut buf).unwrap();
+        buf
+    }
+}
+
+pub mod deflate {
+    use super::*;
+    use flate2::{read::ZlibDecoder, write::ZlibEncoder, Compression};
+
+    pub fn encode(bytes: impl AsRef<[u8]>) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let mut encoder = ZlibEncoder::new(Vec::new(), Compression::fast());
+        encoder.write_all(bytes.as_ref()).unwrap();
+        encoder.finish().unwrap()
+    }
+
+    pub fn decode(bytes: impl AsRef<[u8]>) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let mut decoder = ZlibDecoder::new(bytes.as_ref());
+        let mut buf = Vec::new();
+        decoder.read_to_end(&mut buf).unwrap();
+        buf
+    }
+}
+
+pub mod brotli {
+    use super::*;
+    use ::brotli2::{read::BrotliDecoder, write::BrotliEncoder};
+
+    pub fn encode(bytes: impl AsRef<[u8]>) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let mut encoder = BrotliEncoder::new(Vec::new(), 3);
+        encoder.write_all(bytes.as_ref()).unwrap();
+        encoder.finish().unwrap()
+    }
+
+    pub fn decode(bytes: impl AsRef<[u8]>) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let mut decoder = BrotliDecoder::new(bytes.as_ref());
+        let mut buf = Vec::new();
+        decoder.read_to_end(&mut buf).unwrap();
+        buf
+    }
+}
+
+pub mod zstd {
+    use super::*;
+    use ::zstd::stream::{read::Decoder, write::Encoder};
+
+    pub fn encode(bytes: impl AsRef<[u8]>) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let mut encoder = Encoder::new(Vec::new(), 3).unwrap();
+        encoder.write_all(bytes.as_ref()).unwrap();
+        encoder.finish().unwrap()
+    }
+
+    pub fn decode(bytes: impl AsRef<[u8]>) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let mut decoder = Decoder::new(bytes.as_ref()).unwrap();
+        let mut buf = Vec::new();
+        decoder.read_to_end(&mut buf).unwrap();
+        buf
+    }
+}
diff --git a/clippy.toml b/clippy.toml
index cef91fde7..ece14b8d2 100644
--- a/clippy.toml
+++ b/clippy.toml
@@ -1 +1 @@
-msrv = "1.52"
+msrv = "1.54"
diff --git a/docs/graphs/web-only.dot b/docs/graphs/web-only.dot
index ee74c292b..b27dd0943 100644
--- a/docs/graphs/web-only.dot
+++ b/docs/graphs/web-only.dot
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ digraph {
 
     "actix-web" -> { "actix-web-codegen" "actix-http" "actix-router" }
     "awc" -> { "actix-http" }
+    "actix-web-codegen" -> { "actix-router" }
     "actix-web-actors" -> { "actix" "actix-web" "actix-http" }
     "actix-multipart" -> { "actix-web" }
     "actix-files" -> { "actix-web" }
diff --git a/examples/on_connect.rs b/examples/on-connect.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from examples/on_connect.rs
rename to examples/on-connect.rs
diff --git a/scripts/bump b/scripts/bump
index 43cd8b8c7..c43b92dc8 100755
--- a/scripts/bump
+++ b/scripts/bump
@@ -17,9 +17,18 @@ if [ "$(uname)" = "Darwin" ]; then
 fi
 
 CARGO_MANIFEST=$DIR/Cargo.toml
-CHANGELOG_FILE=$DIR/CHANGES.md
 README_FILE=$DIR/README.md
 
+# determine changelog file name
+if [ -f "$DIR/CHANGES.md" ]; then
+    CHANGELOG_FILE=$DIR/CHANGES.md
+elif [ -f "$DIR/CHANGELOG.md" ]; then
+    CHANGELOG_FILE=$DIR/CHANGELOG.md
+else
+    echo "No changelog file found"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
 # get current version
 PACKAGE_NAME="$(sed -nE 's/^name ?= ?"([^"]+)"$/\1/ p' "$CARGO_MANIFEST" | head -n 1)"
 CURRENT_VERSION="$(sed -nE 's/^version ?= ?"([^"]+)"$/\1/ p' "$CARGO_MANIFEST")"
@@ -40,7 +49,7 @@ cat "$CHANGELOG_FILE" |
 
 # if word count of changelog chunk is 0 then insert filler changelog chunk
 if [ "$(wc -w "$CHANGE_CHUNK_FILE" | awk '{ print $1 }')" = "0" ]; then
-    echo "* No significant changes since \`$CURRENT_VERSION\`." >"$CHANGE_CHUNK_FILE"
+    echo "- No significant changes since \`$CURRENT_VERSION\`." >"$CHANGE_CHUNK_FILE"
     echo >>"$CHANGE_CHUNK_FILE"
     echo >>"$CHANGE_CHUNK_FILE"
 fi
diff --git a/scripts/ci-test b/scripts/ci-test
index 3ab229665..567012d33 100755
--- a/scripts/ci-test
+++ b/scripts/ci-test
@@ -12,16 +12,16 @@ save_exit_code() {
     [ "$CMD_EXIT" = "0" ] || EXIT=$CMD_EXIT
 }
 
-save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-router --all-features
-save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-http --all-features
-save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-web --features=rustls,openssl -- --skip=test_reading_deflate_encoding_large_random_rustls
-save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-web-codegen --all-features
-save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=awc --all-features
-save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-http-test --all-features
-save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-test --all-features
-save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-files
-save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-multipart --all-features
-save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-web-actors --all-features
+save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-router --all-features -- --nocapture
+save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-http --all-features -- --nocapture
+save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-web --features=rustls,openssl -- --nocapture --skip=test_reading_deflate_encoding_large_random_rustls
+save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-web-codegen --all-features -- --nocapture
+save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=awc --all-features -- --nocapture
+save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-http-test --all-features -- --nocapture
+save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-test --all-features -- --nocapture
+save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-files -- --nocapture
+save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-multipart --all-features -- --nocapture
+save_exit_code cargo test --lib --tests -p=actix-web-actors --all-features -- --nocapture
 
 save_exit_code cargo test --workspace --doc
 
diff --git a/src/app.rs b/src/app.rs
index b4b952734..da33ebc4b 100644
--- a/src/app.rs
+++ b/src/app.rs
@@ -51,7 +51,10 @@ impl App<AppEntry> {
     }
 }
 
-impl<T> App<T> {
+impl<T> App<T>
+where
+    T: ServiceFactory<ServiceRequest, Config = (), Error = Error, InitError = ()>,
+{
     /// Set application (root level) data.
     ///
     /// Application data stored with `App::app_data()` method is available through the
@@ -109,6 +112,7 @@ impl<T> App<T> {
     ///         .route("/", web::get().to(handler))
     /// })
     /// ```
+    #[doc(alias = "manage")]
     pub fn app_data<U: 'static>(mut self, ext: U) -> Self {
         self.extensions.insert(ext);
         self
@@ -122,9 +126,10 @@ impl<T> App<T> {
         self.app_data(Data::new(data))
     }
 
-    /// Add application data factory. This function is similar to `.data()` but it accepts a
-    /// "data factory". Data values are constructed asynchronously during application
-    /// initialization, before the server starts accepting requests.
+    /// Add application data factory that resolves asynchronously.
+    ///
+    /// Data items are constructed during application initialization, before the server starts
+    /// accepting requests.
     pub fn data_factory<F, Out, D, E>(mut self, data: F) -> Self
     where
         F: Fn() -> Out + 'static,
@@ -150,6 +155,7 @@ impl<T> App<T> {
             }
             .boxed_local()
         }));
+
         self
     }
 
@@ -200,11 +206,9 @@ impl<T> App<T> {
     ///     "Welcome!"
     /// }
     ///
-    /// fn main() {
-    ///     let app = App::new()
-    ///         .route("/test1", web::get().to(index))
-    ///         .route("/test2", web::post().to(|| HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed()));
-    /// }
+    /// let app = App::new()
+    ///     .route("/test1", web::get().to(index))
+    ///     .route("/test2", web::post().to(|| HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed()));
     /// ```
     pub fn route(self, path: &str, mut route: Route) -> Self {
         self.service(
@@ -243,13 +247,11 @@ impl<T> App<T> {
     ///     "Welcome!"
     /// }
     ///
-    /// fn main() {
-    ///     let app = App::new()
-    ///         .service(
-    ///             web::resource("/index.html").route(web::get().to(index)))
-    ///         .default_service(
-    ///             web::route().to(|| HttpResponse::NotFound()));
-    /// }
+    /// let app = App::new()
+    ///     .service(
+    ///         web::resource("/index.html").route(web::get().to(index)))
+    ///     .default_service(
+    ///         web::route().to(|| HttpResponse::NotFound()));
     /// ```
     ///
     /// It is also possible to use static files as default service.
@@ -257,14 +259,12 @@ impl<T> App<T> {
     /// ```
     /// use actix_web::{web, App, HttpResponse};
     ///
-    /// fn main() {
-    ///     let app = App::new()
-    ///         .service(
-    ///             web::resource("/index.html").to(|| HttpResponse::Ok()))
-    ///         .default_service(
-    ///             web::to(|| HttpResponse::NotFound())
-    ///         );
-    /// }
+    /// let app = App::new()
+    ///     .service(
+    ///         web::resource("/index.html").to(|| HttpResponse::Ok()))
+    ///     .default_service(
+    ///         web::to(|| HttpResponse::NotFound())
+    ///     );
     /// ```
     pub fn default_service<F, U>(mut self, svc: F) -> Self
     where
@@ -320,65 +320,63 @@ impl<T> App<T> {
         self
     }
 
-    /// Registers middleware, in the form of a middleware component (type),
-    /// that runs during inbound and/or outbound processing in the request
-    /// life-cycle (request -> response), modifying request/response as
-    /// necessary, across all requests managed by the *Application*.
+    /// Registers an app-wide middleware.
     ///
-    /// Use middleware when you need to read or modify *every* request or
-    /// response in some way.
+    /// Registers middleware, in the form of a middleware compo nen t (type), that runs during
+    /// inbound and/or outbound processing in the request life-cycle (request -> response),
+    /// modifying request/response as necessary, across all requests managed by the `App`.
     ///
-    /// Notice that the keyword for registering middleware is `wrap`. As you
-    /// register middleware using `wrap` in the App builder,  imagine wrapping
-    /// layers around an inner App.  The first middleware layer exposed to a
-    /// Request is the outermost layer-- the *last* registered in
-    /// the builder chain.  Consequently, the *first* middleware registered
-    /// in the builder chain is the *last* to execute during request processing.
+    /// Use middleware when you need to read or modify *every* request or response in some way.
     ///
+    /// Middleware can be applied similarly to individual `Scope`s and `Resource`s.
+    /// See [`Scope::wrap`](crate::Scope::wrap) and [`Resource::wrap`].
+    ///
+    /// # Middleware Order
+    /// Notice that the keyword for registering middleware is `wrap`. As you register middleware
+    /// using `wrap` in the App builder, imagine wrapping layers around an inner App. The first
+    /// middleware layer exposed to a Request is the outermost layer (i.e., the *last* registered in
+    /// the builder chain). Consequently, the *first* middleware registered in the builder chain is
+    /// the *last* to start executing during request processing.
+    ///
+    /// Ordering is less obvious when wrapped services also have middleware applied. In this case,
+    /// middlewares are run in reverse order for `App` _and then_ in reverse order for the
+    /// wrapped service.
+    ///
+    /// # Examples
     /// ```
-    /// use actix_service::Service;
     /// use actix_web::{middleware, web, App};
-    /// use actix_web::http::header::{CONTENT_TYPE, HeaderValue};
     ///
     /// async fn index() -> &'static str {
     ///     "Welcome!"
     /// }
     ///
-    /// fn main() {
-    ///     let app = App::new()
-    ///         .wrap(middleware::Logger::default())
-    ///         .route("/index.html", web::get().to(index));
-    /// }
+    /// let app = App::new()
+    ///     .wrap(middleware::Logger::default())
+    ///     .route("/index.html", web::get().to(index));
     /// ```
-    pub fn wrap<M, B, B1>(
+    #[doc(alias = "middleware")]
+    #[doc(alias = "use")] // nodejs terminology
+    pub fn wrap<M, B>(
         self,
         mw: M,
     ) -> App<
         impl ServiceFactory<
             ServiceRequest,
             Config = (),
-            Response = ServiceResponse<B1>,
+            Response = ServiceResponse<B>,
             Error = Error,
             InitError = (),
         >,
     >
     where
-        T: ServiceFactory<
-            ServiceRequest,
-            Response = ServiceResponse<B>,
-            Error = Error,
-            Config = (),
-            InitError = (),
-        >,
-        B: MessageBody,
         M: Transform<
-            T::Service,
-            ServiceRequest,
-            Response = ServiceResponse<B1>,
-            Error = Error,
-            InitError = (),
-        >,
-        B1: MessageBody,
+                T::Service,
+                ServiceRequest,
+                Response = ServiceResponse<B>,
+                Error = Error,
+                InitError = (),
+            > + 'static,
+        B: MessageBody,
     {
         App {
             endpoint: apply(mw, self.endpoint),
@@ -391,61 +389,57 @@ impl<T> App<T> {
         }
     }
 
-    /// Registers middleware, in the form of a closure, that runs during inbound
-    /// and/or outbound processing in the request life-cycle (request -> response),
-    /// modifying request/response as necessary, across all requests managed by
-    /// the *Application*.
+    /// Registers an app-wide function middleware.
+    ///
+    /// `mw` is a closure that runs during inbound and/or outbound processing in the request
+    /// life-cycle (request -> response), modifying request/response as necessary, across all
+    /// requests handled by the `App`.
     ///
     /// Use middleware when you need to read or modify *every* request or response in some way.
     ///
+    /// Middleware can also be applied to individual `Scope`s and `Resource`s.
+    ///
+    /// See [`App::wrap`] for details on how middlewares compose with each other.
+    ///
+    /// # Examples
     /// ```
-    /// use actix_service::Service;
-    /// use actix_web::{web, App};
+    /// use actix_web::{dev::Service as _, middleware, web, App};
     /// use actix_web::http::header::{CONTENT_TYPE, HeaderValue};
     ///
     /// async fn index() -> &'static str {
     ///     "Welcome!"
     /// }
     ///
-    /// fn main() {
-    ///     let app = App::new()
-    ///         .wrap_fn(|req, srv| {
-    ///             let fut = srv.call(req);
-    ///             async {
-    ///                 let mut res = fut.await?;
-    ///                 res.headers_mut().insert(
-    ///                    CONTENT_TYPE, HeaderValue::from_static("text/plain"),
-    ///                 );
-    ///                 Ok(res)
-    ///             }
-    ///         })
-    ///         .route("/index.html", web::get().to(index));
-    /// }
+    /// let app = App::new()
+    ///     .wrap_fn(|req, srv| {
+    ///         let fut = srv.call(req);
+    ///         async {
+    ///             let mut res = fut.await?;
+    ///             res.headers_mut()
+    ///                 .insert(CONTENT_TYPE, HeaderValue::from_static("text/plain"));
+    ///             Ok(res)
+    ///         }
+    ///     })
+    ///     .route("/index.html", web::get().to(index));
     /// ```
-    pub fn wrap_fn<F, R, B, B1>(
+    #[doc(alias = "middleware")]
+    #[doc(alias = "use")] // nodejs terminology
+    pub fn wrap_fn<F, R, B>(
         self,
         mw: F,
     ) -> App<
         impl ServiceFactory<
             ServiceRequest,
             Config = (),
-            Response = ServiceResponse<B1>,
+            Response = ServiceResponse<B>,
             Error = Error,
             InitError = (),
         >,
     >
     where
-        T: ServiceFactory<
-            ServiceRequest,
-            Response = ServiceResponse<B>,
-            Error = Error,
-            Config = (),
-            InitError = (),
-        >,
+        F: Fn(ServiceRequest, &T::Service) -> R + Clone + 'static,
+        R: Future<Output = Result<ServiceResponse<B>, Error>>,
         B: MessageBody,
-        F: Fn(ServiceRequest, &T::Service) -> R + Clone,
-        R: Future<Output = Result<ServiceResponse<B1>, Error>>,
-        B1: MessageBody,
     {
         App {
             endpoint: apply_fn_factory(self.endpoint, mw),
@@ -461,15 +455,14 @@ impl<T> App<T> {
 
 impl<T, B> IntoServiceFactory<AppInit<T, B>, Request> for App<T>
 where
-    B: MessageBody,
     T: ServiceFactory<
-        ServiceRequest,
-        Config = (),
-        Response = ServiceResponse<B>,
-        Error = Error,
-        InitError = (),
-    >,
-    T::Future: 'static,
+            ServiceRequest,
+            Config = (),
+            Response = ServiceResponse<B>,
+            Error = Error,
+            InitError = (),
+        > + 'static,
+    B: MessageBody,
 {
     fn into_factory(self) -> AppInit<T, B> {
         AppInit {
diff --git a/src/app_service.rs b/src/app_service.rs
index 4e84cb201..56b24f0d8 100644
--- a/src/app_service.rs
+++ b/src/app_service.rs
@@ -1,14 +1,16 @@
 use std::{cell::RefCell, mem, rc::Rc};
 
-use actix_http::{Extensions, Request};
+use actix_http::Request;
 use actix_router::{Path, ResourceDef, Router, Url};
 use actix_service::{boxed, fn_service, Service, ServiceFactory};
 use futures_core::future::LocalBoxFuture;
 use futures_util::future::join_all;
 
 use crate::{
+    body::BoxBody,
     config::{AppConfig, AppService},
     data::FnDataFactory,
+    dev::Extensions,
     guard::Guard,
     request::{HttpRequest, HttpRequestPool},
     rmap::ResourceMap,
@@ -236,6 +238,7 @@ where
 }
 
 pub struct AppRoutingFactory {
+    #[allow(clippy::type_complexity)]
     services: Rc<
         [(
             ResourceDef,
@@ -296,7 +299,7 @@ pub struct AppRouting {
 }
 
 impl Service<ServiceRequest> for AppRouting {
-    type Response = ServiceResponse;
+    type Response = ServiceResponse<BoxBody>;
     type Error = Error;
     type Future = LocalBoxFuture<'static, Result<Self::Response, Self::Error>>;
 
@@ -305,12 +308,15 @@ impl Service<ServiceRequest> for AppRouting {
     fn call(&self, mut req: ServiceRequest) -> Self::Future {
         let res = self.router.recognize_fn(&mut req, |req, guards| {
             if let Some(ref guards) = guards {
-                for f in guards {
-                    if !f.check(req.head()) {
+                let guard_ctx = req.guard_ctx();
+
+                for guard in guards {
+                    if !guard.check(&guard_ctx) {
                         return false;
                     }
                 }
             }
+
             true
         });
 
diff --git a/src/config.rs b/src/config.rs
index 9e77c0f96..77fba18ed 100644
--- a/src/config.rs
+++ b/src/config.rs
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ pub struct AppService {
     config: AppConfig,
     root: bool,
     default: Rc<HttpNewService>,
+    #[allow(clippy::type_complexity)]
     services: Vec<(
         ResourceDef,
         HttpNewService,
@@ -48,6 +49,7 @@ impl AppService {
         self.root
     }
 
+    #[allow(clippy::type_complexity)]
     pub(crate) fn into_services(
         self,
     ) -> (
@@ -126,7 +128,7 @@ impl AppConfig {
 
     /// Server host name.
     ///
-    /// Host name is used by application router as a hostname for url generation.
+    /// Host name is used by application router as a hostname for URL generation.
     /// Check [ConnectionInfo](super::dev::ConnectionInfo::host())
     /// documentation for more information.
     ///
@@ -135,7 +137,7 @@ impl AppConfig {
         &self.host
     }
 
-    /// Returns true if connection is secure(https)
+    /// Returns true if connection is secure (i.e., running over `https:`).
     pub fn secure(&self) -> bool {
         self.secure
     }
@@ -213,6 +215,17 @@ impl ServiceConfig {
         self
     }
 
+    /// Run external configuration as part of the application building process
+    ///
+    /// Counterpart to [`App::configure()`](crate::App::configure) that allows for easy nesting.
+    pub fn configure<F>(&mut self, f: F) -> &mut Self
+    where
+        F: FnOnce(&mut ServiceConfig),
+    {
+        f(self);
+        self
+    }
+
     /// Configure route for a specific path.
     ///
     /// Counterpart to [`App::route()`](crate::App::route).
@@ -262,7 +275,7 @@ mod tests {
 
     use super::*;
     use crate::http::{Method, StatusCode};
-    use crate::test::{call_service, init_service, read_body, TestRequest};
+    use crate::test::{assert_body_eq, call_service, init_service, read_body, TestRequest};
     use crate::{web, App, HttpRequest, HttpResponse};
 
     // allow deprecated `ServiceConfig::data`
@@ -286,38 +299,6 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::OK);
     }
 
-    // #[actix_rt::test]
-    // async fn test_data_factory() {
-    //     let cfg = |cfg: &mut ServiceConfig| {
-    //         cfg.data_factory(|| {
-    //             sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(50)).then(|_| {
-    //                 println!("READY");
-    //                 Ok::<_, ()>(10usize)
-    //             })
-    //         });
-    //     };
-
-    //     let srv =
-    //         init_service(App::new().configure(cfg).service(
-    //             web::resource("/").to(|_: web::Data<usize>| HttpResponse::Ok()),
-    //         ));
-    //     let req = TestRequest::default().to_request();
-    //     let resp = srv.call(req).await.unwrap();
-    //     assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::OK);
-
-    //     let cfg2 = |cfg: &mut ServiceConfig| {
-    //         cfg.data_factory(|| Ok::<_, ()>(10u32));
-    //     };
-    //     let srv = init_service(
-    //         App::new()
-    //             .service(web::resource("/").to(|_: web::Data<usize>| HttpResponse::Ok()))
-    //             .configure(cfg2),
-    //     );
-    //     let req = TestRequest::default().to_request();
-    //     let resp = srv.call(req).await.unwrap();
-    //     assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR);
-    // }
-
     #[actix_rt::test]
     async fn test_external_resource() {
         let srv = init_service(
@@ -361,4 +342,22 @@ mod tests {
         let resp = call_service(&srv, req).await;
         assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::OK);
     }
+
+    #[actix_rt::test]
+    async fn nested_service_configure() {
+        fn cfg_root(cfg: &mut ServiceConfig) {
+            cfg.configure(cfg_sub);
+        }
+
+        fn cfg_sub(cfg: &mut ServiceConfig) {
+            cfg.route("/", web::get().to(|| async { "hello world" }));
+        }
+
+        let srv = init_service(App::new().configure(cfg_root)).await;
+
+        let req = TestRequest::with_uri("/").to_request();
+        let res = call_service(&srv, req).await;
+        assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+        assert_body_eq!(res, b"hello world");
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/data.rs b/src/data.rs
index ef077e87c..ce7b1fee6 100644
--- a/src/data.rs
+++ b/src/data.rs
@@ -19,23 +19,32 @@ pub(crate) trait DataFactory {
 pub(crate) type FnDataFactory =
     Box<dyn Fn() -> LocalBoxFuture<'static, Result<Box<dyn DataFactory>, ()>>>;
 
-/// Application data.
+/// Application data wrapper and extractor.
 ///
-/// Application level data is a piece of arbitrary data attached to the app, scope, or resource.
-/// Application data is available to all routes and can be added during the application
-/// configuration process via `App::data()`.
+/// # Setting Data
+/// Data is set using the `app_data` methods on `App`, `Scope`, and `Resource`. If data is wrapped
+/// in this `Data` type for those calls, it can be used as an extractor.
 ///
-/// Application data can be accessed by using `Data<T>` extractor where `T` is data type.
+/// Note that `Data` should be constructed _outside_ the `HttpServer::new` closure if shared,
+/// potentially mutable state is desired. `Data` is cheap to clone; internally, it uses an `Arc`.
 ///
-/// **Note**: HTTP server accepts an application factory rather than an application instance. HTTP
-/// server constructs an application instance for each thread, thus application data must be
-/// constructed multiple times. If you want to share data between different threads, a shareable
-/// object should be used, e.g. `Send + Sync`. Application data does not need to be `Send`
-/// or `Sync`. Internally `Data` contains an `Arc`.
+/// See also [`App::app_data`](crate::App::app_data), [`Scope::app_data`](crate::Scope::app_data),
+/// and [`Resource::app_data`](crate::Resource::app_data).
+///
+/// # Extracting `Data`
+/// Since the Actix Web router layers application data, the returned object will reference the
+/// "closest" instance of the type. For example, if an `App` stores a `u32`, a nested `Scope`
+/// also stores a `u32`, and the delegated request handler falls within that `Scope`, then
+/// extracting a `web::<Data<u32>>` for that handler will return the `Scope`'s instance.
+/// However, using the same router set up and a request that does not get captured by the `Scope`,
+/// `web::<Data<u32>>` would return the `App`'s instance.
 ///
 /// If route data is not set for a handler, using `Data<T>` extractor would cause a `500 Internal
 /// Server Error` response.
 ///
+/// See also [`HttpRequest::app_data`]
+/// and [`ServiceRequest::app_data`](crate::dev::ServiceRequest::app_data).
+///
 /// # Unsized Data
 /// For types that are unsized, most commonly `dyn T`, `Data` can wrap these types by first
 /// constructing an `Arc<dyn T>` and using the `From` implementation to convert it.
@@ -79,6 +88,7 @@ pub(crate) type FnDataFactory =
 ///     .route("/index.html", web::get().to(index))
 ///     .route("/index-alt.html", web::get().to(index_alt));
 /// ```
+#[doc(alias = "state")]
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct Data<T: ?Sized>(Arc<T>);
 
@@ -90,12 +100,12 @@ impl<T> Data<T> {
 }
 
 impl<T: ?Sized> Data<T> {
-    /// Get reference to inner app data.
+    /// Returns reference to inner `T`.
     pub fn get_ref(&self) -> &T {
         self.0.as_ref()
     }
 
-    /// Convert to the internal Arc<T>
+    /// Unwraps to the internal `Arc<T>`
     pub fn into_inner(self) -> Arc<T> {
         self.0
     }
@@ -143,13 +153,16 @@ impl<T: ?Sized + 'static> FromRequest for Data<T> {
             ok(st.clone())
         } else {
             log::debug!(
-                "Failed to construct App-level Data extractor. \
-                 Request path: {:?} (type: {})",
-                req.path(),
+                "Failed to extract `Data<{}>` for `{}` handler. For the Data extractor to work \
+                correctly, wrap the data with `Data::new()` and pass it to `App::app_data()`. \
+                Ensure that types align in both the set and retrieve calls.",
                 type_name::<T>(),
+                req.match_name().unwrap_or_else(|| req.path())
             );
+
             err(ErrorInternalServerError(
-                "App data is not configured, to configure construct it with web::Data::new() and pass it to App::app_data()",
+                "Requested application data is not configured correctly. \
+                View/enable debug logs for more details.",
             ))
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/dev.rs b/src/dev.rs
index 23a40f292..def545ec7 100644
--- a/src/dev.rs
+++ b/src/dev.rs
@@ -3,18 +3,7 @@
 //! Most users will not have to interact with the types in this module, but it is useful for those
 //! writing extractors, middleware, libraries, or interacting with the service API directly.
 
-pub use crate::config::{AppConfig, AppService};
-#[doc(hidden)]
-pub use crate::handler::Handler;
-pub use crate::info::{ConnectionInfo, PeerAddr};
-pub use crate::rmap::ResourceMap;
-pub use crate::service::{HttpServiceFactory, ServiceRequest, ServiceResponse, WebService};
-
-pub use crate::types::form::UrlEncoded;
-pub use crate::types::json::JsonBody;
-pub use crate::types::readlines::Readlines;
-
-pub use actix_http::{Extensions, Payload, PayloadStream, RequestHead, Response, ResponseHead};
+pub use actix_http::{Extensions, Payload, RequestHead, Response, ResponseHead};
 pub use actix_router::{Path, ResourceDef, ResourcePath, Url};
 pub use actix_server::{Server, ServerHandle};
 pub use actix_service::{
@@ -24,7 +13,14 @@ pub use actix_service::{
 #[cfg(feature = "__compress")]
 pub use actix_http::encoding::Decoder as Decompress;
 
-use crate::http::header::ContentEncoding;
+pub use crate::config::{AppConfig, AppService};
+#[doc(hidden)]
+pub use crate::handler::Handler;
+pub use crate::info::{ConnectionInfo, PeerAddr};
+pub use crate::rmap::ResourceMap;
+pub use crate::service::{HttpServiceFactory, ServiceRequest, ServiceResponse, WebService};
+
+pub use crate::types::{JsonBody, Readlines, UrlEncoded};
 
 use actix_router::Patterns;
 
@@ -46,59 +42,3 @@ pub(crate) fn ensure_leading_slash(mut patterns: Patterns) -> Patterns {
 
     patterns
 }
-struct Enc(ContentEncoding);
-
-/// Helper trait that allows to set specific encoding for response.
-pub trait BodyEncoding {
-    /// Get content encoding
-    fn get_encoding(&self) -> Option<ContentEncoding>;
-
-    /// Set content encoding
-    ///
-    /// Must be used with [`crate::middleware::Compress`] to take effect.
-    fn encoding(&mut self, encoding: ContentEncoding) -> &mut Self;
-}
-
-impl BodyEncoding for actix_http::ResponseBuilder {
-    fn get_encoding(&self) -> Option<ContentEncoding> {
-        self.extensions().get::<Enc>().map(|enc| enc.0)
-    }
-
-    fn encoding(&mut self, encoding: ContentEncoding) -> &mut Self {
-        self.extensions_mut().insert(Enc(encoding));
-        self
-    }
-}
-
-impl<B> BodyEncoding for actix_http::Response<B> {
-    fn get_encoding(&self) -> Option<ContentEncoding> {
-        self.extensions().get::<Enc>().map(|enc| enc.0)
-    }
-
-    fn encoding(&mut self, encoding: ContentEncoding) -> &mut Self {
-        self.extensions_mut().insert(Enc(encoding));
-        self
-    }
-}
-
-impl BodyEncoding for crate::HttpResponseBuilder {
-    fn get_encoding(&self) -> Option<ContentEncoding> {
-        self.extensions().get::<Enc>().map(|enc| enc.0)
-    }
-
-    fn encoding(&mut self, encoding: ContentEncoding) -> &mut Self {
-        self.extensions_mut().insert(Enc(encoding));
-        self
-    }
-}
-
-impl<B> BodyEncoding for crate::HttpResponse<B> {
-    fn get_encoding(&self) -> Option<ContentEncoding> {
-        self.extensions().get::<Enc>().map(|enc| enc.0)
-    }
-
-    fn encoding(&mut self, encoding: ContentEncoding) -> &mut Self {
-        self.extensions_mut().insert(Enc(encoding));
-        self
-    }
-}
diff --git a/src/error/internal.rs b/src/error/internal.rs
index 37195dc2e..1c6e343e3 100644
--- a/src/error/internal.rs
+++ b/src/error/internal.rs
@@ -118,15 +118,13 @@ where
 
 macro_rules! error_helper {
     ($name:ident, $status:ident) => {
-        paste::paste! {
-            #[doc = "Helper function that wraps any error and generates a `" $status "` response."]
-            #[allow(non_snake_case)]
-            pub fn $name<T>(err: T) -> Error
-            where
-                T: fmt::Debug + fmt::Display + 'static,
-            {
-                InternalError::new(err, StatusCode::$status).into()
-            }
+        #[doc = concat!("Helper function that wraps any error and generates a `", stringify!($status), "` response.")]
+        #[allow(non_snake_case)]
+        pub fn $name<T>(err: T) -> Error
+        where
+            T: fmt::Debug + fmt::Display + 'static,
+        {
+            InternalError::new(err, StatusCode::$status).into()
         }
     };
 }
diff --git a/src/extract.rs b/src/extract.rs
index f74a0a54e..f16c29ca5 100644
--- a/src/extract.rs
+++ b/src/extract.rs
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 use std::{
     convert::Infallible,
     future::Future,
+    marker::PhantomData,
     pin::Pin,
     task::{Context, Poll},
 };
@@ -124,12 +125,11 @@ pub trait FromRequest: Sized {
 ///     );
 /// }
 /// ```
-impl<T: 'static> FromRequest for Option<T>
+impl<T> FromRequest for Option<T>
 where
     T: FromRequest,
-    T::Future: 'static,
 {
-    type Error = Error;
+    type Error = Infallible;
     type Future = FromRequestOptFuture<T::Future>;
 
     #[inline]
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ where
     Fut: Future<Output = Result<T, E>>,
     E: Into<Error>,
 {
-    type Output = Result<Option<T>, Error>;
+    type Output = Result<Option<T>, Infallible>;
 
     fn poll(self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<Self::Output> {
         let this = self.project();
@@ -211,40 +211,42 @@ where
 ///     );
 /// }
 /// ```
-impl<T> FromRequest for Result<T, T::Error>
+impl<T, E> FromRequest for Result<T, E>
 where
-    T: FromRequest + 'static,
-    T::Error: 'static,
-    T::Future: 'static,
+    T: FromRequest,
+    T::Error: Into<E>,
 {
-    type Error = Error;
-    type Future = FromRequestResFuture<T::Future>;
+    type Error = Infallible;
+    type Future = FromRequestResFuture<T::Future, E>;
 
     #[inline]
     fn from_request(req: &HttpRequest, payload: &mut Payload) -> Self::Future {
         FromRequestResFuture {
             fut: T::from_request(req, payload),
+            _phantom: PhantomData,
         }
     }
 }
 
 pin_project! {
-    pub struct FromRequestResFuture<Fut> {
+    pub struct FromRequestResFuture<Fut, E> {
         #[pin]
         fut: Fut,
+        _phantom: PhantomData<E>,
     }
 }
 
-impl<Fut, T, E> Future for FromRequestResFuture<Fut>
+impl<Fut, T, Ei, E> Future for FromRequestResFuture<Fut, E>
 where
-    Fut: Future<Output = Result<T, E>>,
+    Fut: Future<Output = Result<T, Ei>>,
+    Ei: Into<E>,
 {
-    type Output = Result<Result<T, E>, Error>;
+    type Output = Result<Result<T, E>, Infallible>;
 
     fn poll(self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll<Self::Output> {
         let this = self.project();
         let res = ready!(this.fut.poll(cx));
-        Poll::Ready(Ok(res))
+        Poll::Ready(Ok(res.map_err(Into::into)))
     }
 }
 
@@ -290,16 +292,6 @@ impl FromRequest for Method {
     }
 }
 
-#[doc(hidden)]
-impl FromRequest for () {
-    type Error = Infallible;
-    type Future = Ready<Result<Self, Self::Error>>;
-
-    fn from_request(_: &HttpRequest, _: &mut Payload) -> Self::Future {
-        ok(())
-    }
-}
-
 #[doc(hidden)]
 #[allow(non_snake_case)]
 mod tuple_from_req {
@@ -388,6 +380,15 @@ mod tuple_from_req {
         }
     }
 
+    impl FromRequest for () {
+        type Error = Infallible;
+        type Future = Ready<Result<Self, Self::Error>>;
+
+        fn from_request(_: &HttpRequest, _: &mut Payload) -> Self::Future {
+            ok(())
+        }
+    }
+
     tuple_from_req! { TupleFromRequest1; A }
     tuple_from_req! { TupleFromRequest2; A, B }
     tuple_from_req! { TupleFromRequest3; A, B, C }
@@ -398,6 +399,8 @@ mod tuple_from_req {
     tuple_from_req! { TupleFromRequest8; A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H }
     tuple_from_req! { TupleFromRequest9; A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I }
     tuple_from_req! { TupleFromRequest10; A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J }
+    tuple_from_req! { TupleFromRequest11; A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K }
+    tuple_from_req! { TupleFromRequest12; A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L }
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]
@@ -480,7 +483,14 @@ mod tests {
             .set_payload(Bytes::from_static(b"bye=world"))
             .to_http_parts();
 
-        let r = Result::<Form<Info>, Error>::from_request(&req, &mut pl)
+        struct MyError;
+        impl From<Error> for MyError {
+            fn from(_: Error) -> Self {
+                Self
+            }
+        }
+
+        let r = Result::<Form<Info>, MyError>::from_request(&req, &mut pl)
             .await
             .unwrap();
         assert!(r.is_err());
diff --git a/src/guard.rs b/src/guard.rs
index a5770df89..f4200a382 100644
--- a/src/guard.rs
+++ b/src/guard.rs
@@ -1,168 +1,252 @@
-//! Route match guards.
+//! Route guards.
 //!
-//! Guards are one of the ways how actix-web router chooses a
-//! handler service. In essence it is just a function that accepts a
-//! reference to a `RequestHead` instance and returns a boolean.
-//! It is possible to add guards to *scopes*, *resources*
-//! and *routes*. Actix provide several guards by default, like various
-//! http methods, header, etc. To become a guard, type must implement `Guard`
-//! trait. Simple functions could be guards as well.
+//! Guards are used during routing to help select a matching service or handler using some aspect of
+//! the request; though guards should not be used for path matching since it is a built-in function
+//! of the Actix Web router.
 //!
-//! Guards can not modify the request object. But it is possible
-//! to store extra attributes on a request by using the `Extensions` container.
-//! Extensions containers are available via the `RequestHead::extensions()` method.
+//! Guards can be used on [`Scope`]s, [`Resource`]s, [`Route`]s, and other custom services.
 //!
+//! Fundamentally, a guard is a predicate function that receives a reference to a request context
+//! object and returns a boolean; true if the request _should_ be handled by the guarded service
+//! or handler. This interface is defined by the [`Guard`] trait.
+//!
+//! Commonly-used guards are provided in this module as well as a way of creating a guard from a
+//! closure ([`fn_guard`]). The [`Not`], [`Any`], and [`All`] guards are noteworthy, as they can be
+//! used to compose other guards in a more flexible and semantic way than calling `.guard(...)` on
+//! services multiple times (which might have different combining behavior than you want).
+//!
+//! There are shortcuts for routes with method guards in the [`web`](crate::web) module:
+//! [`web::get()`](crate::web::get), [`web::post()`](crate::web::post), etc. The routes created by
+//! the following calls are equivalent:
+//! - `web::get()` (recommended form)
+//! - `web::route().guard(guard::Get())`
+//!
+//! Guards can not modify anything about the request. However, it is possible to store extra
+//! attributes in the request-local data container obtained with [`GuardContext::req_data_mut`].
+//!
+//! Guards can prevent resource definitions from overlapping which, when only considering paths,
+//! would result in inaccessible routes. See the [`Host`] guard for an example of virtual hosting.
+//!
+//! # Examples
+//! In the following code, the `/guarded` resource has one defined route whose handler will only be
+//! called if the request method is `POST` and there is a request header with name and value equal
+//! to `x-guarded` and `secret`, respectively.
 //! ```
-//! use actix_web::{web, http, dev, guard, App, HttpResponse};
+//! use actix_web::{web, http::Method, guard, HttpResponse};
 //!
-//! fn main() {
-//!     App::new().service(web::resource("/index.html").route(
-//!         web::route()
-//!              .guard(guard::Post())
-//!              .guard(guard::fn_guard(|head| head.method == http::Method::GET))
-//!              .to(|| HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed()))
-//!     );
-//! }
+//! web::resource("/guarded").route(
+//!     web::route()
+//!         .guard(guard::Any(guard::Get()).or(guard::Post()))
+//!         .guard(guard::Header("x-guarded", "secret"))
+//!         .to(|| HttpResponse::Ok())
+//! );
 //! ```
+//!
+//! [`Scope`]: crate::Scope::guard()
+//! [`Resource`]: crate::Resource::guard()
+//! [`Route`]: crate::Route::guard()
 
-#![allow(non_snake_case)]
+use std::{
+    cell::{Ref, RefMut},
+    convert::TryFrom,
+    rc::Rc,
+};
 
-use std::rc::Rc;
-use std::{convert::TryFrom, ops::Deref};
+use actix_http::{header, uri::Uri, Extensions, Method as HttpMethod, RequestHead};
 
-use actix_http::{header, uri::Uri, Method as HttpMethod, RequestHead};
+use crate::{http::header::Header, service::ServiceRequest};
 
-/// Trait defines resource guards. Guards are used for route selection.
-///
-/// Guards can not modify the request object. But it is possible
-/// to store extra attributes on a request by using the `Extensions` container.
-/// Extensions containers are available via the `RequestHead::extensions()` method.
-pub trait Guard {
-    /// Check if request matches predicate
-    fn check(&self, request: &RequestHead) -> bool;
+/// Provides access to request parts that are useful during routing.
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct GuardContext<'a> {
+    pub(crate) req: &'a ServiceRequest,
 }
 
-impl Guard for Rc<dyn Guard> {
-    fn check(&self, request: &RequestHead) -> bool {
-        self.deref().check(request)
+impl<'a> GuardContext<'a> {
+    /// Returns reference to the request head.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn head(&self) -> &RequestHead {
+        self.req.head()
+    }
+
+    /// Returns reference to the request-local data container.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn req_data(&self) -> Ref<'a, Extensions> {
+        self.req.req_data()
+    }
+
+    /// Returns mutable reference to the request-local data container.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn req_data_mut(&self) -> RefMut<'a, Extensions> {
+        self.req.req_data_mut()
+    }
+
+    /// Extracts a typed header from the request.
+    ///
+    /// Returns `None` if parsing `H` fails.
+    ///
+    /// # Examples
+    /// ```
+    /// use actix_web::{guard::fn_guard, http::header};
+    ///
+    /// let image_accept_guard = fn_guard(|ctx| {
+    ///     match ctx.header::<header::Accept>() {
+    ///         Some(hdr) => hdr.preference() == "image/*",
+    ///         None => false,
+    ///     }
+    /// });
+    /// ```
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn header<H: Header>(&self) -> Option<H> {
+        H::parse(self.req).ok()
     }
 }
 
-/// Create guard object for supplied function.
+/// Interface for routing guards.
 ///
+/// See [module level documentation](self) for more.
+pub trait Guard {
+    /// Returns true if predicate condition is met for a given request.
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool;
+}
+
+impl Guard for Rc<dyn Guard> {
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool {
+        (**self).check(ctx)
+    }
+}
+
+/// Creates a guard using the given function.
+///
+/// # Examples
 /// ```
-/// use actix_web::{guard, web, App, HttpResponse};
+/// use actix_web::{guard, web, HttpResponse};
 ///
-/// fn main() {
-///     App::new().service(web::resource("/index.html").route(
-///         web::route()
-///             .guard(
-///                 guard::fn_guard(
-///                     |req| req.headers()
-///                              .contains_key("content-type")))
-///             .to(|| HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed()))
-///     );
-/// }
+/// web::route()
+///     .guard(guard::fn_guard(|ctx| {
+///         ctx.head().headers().contains_key("content-type")
+///     }))
+///     .to(|| HttpResponse::Ok());
 /// ```
 pub fn fn_guard<F>(f: F) -> impl Guard
 where
-    F: Fn(&RequestHead) -> bool,
+    F: Fn(&GuardContext<'_>) -> bool,
 {
     FnGuard(f)
 }
 
-struct FnGuard<F: Fn(&RequestHead) -> bool>(F);
+struct FnGuard<F: Fn(&GuardContext<'_>) -> bool>(F);
 
 impl<F> Guard for FnGuard<F>
 where
-    F: Fn(&RequestHead) -> bool,
+    F: Fn(&GuardContext<'_>) -> bool,
 {
-    fn check(&self, head: &RequestHead) -> bool {
-        (self.0)(head)
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool {
+        (self.0)(ctx)
     }
 }
 
 impl<F> Guard for F
 where
-    F: Fn(&RequestHead) -> bool,
+    F: Fn(&GuardContext<'_>) -> bool,
 {
-    fn check(&self, head: &RequestHead) -> bool {
-        (self)(head)
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool {
+        (self)(ctx)
     }
 }
 
-/// Return guard that matches if any of supplied guards.
+/// Creates a guard that matches if any added guards match.
 ///
+/// # Examples
+/// The handler below will be called for either request method `GET` or `POST`.
 /// ```
-/// use actix_web::{web, guard, App, HttpResponse};
+/// use actix_web::{web, guard, HttpResponse};
 ///
-/// fn main() {
-///     App::new().service(web::resource("/index.html").route(
-///         web::route()
-///              .guard(guard::Any(guard::Get()).or(guard::Post()))
-///              .to(|| HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed()))
-///     );
-/// }
+/// web::route()
+///     .guard(
+///         guard::Any(guard::Get())
+///             .or(guard::Post()))
+///     .to(|| HttpResponse::Ok());
 /// ```
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
 pub fn Any<F: Guard + 'static>(guard: F) -> AnyGuard {
-    AnyGuard(vec![Box::new(guard)])
+    AnyGuard {
+        guards: vec![Box::new(guard)],
+    }
 }
 
-/// Matches any of supplied guards.
-pub struct AnyGuard(Vec<Box<dyn Guard>>);
+/// A collection of guards that match if the disjunction of their `check` outcomes is true.
+///
+/// That is, only one contained guard needs to match in order for the aggregate guard to match.
+///
+/// Construct an `AnyGuard` using [`Any`].
+pub struct AnyGuard {
+    guards: Vec<Box<dyn Guard>>,
+}
 
 impl AnyGuard {
-    /// Add guard to a list of guards to check
+    /// Adds new guard to the collection of guards to check.
     pub fn or<F: Guard + 'static>(mut self, guard: F) -> Self {
-        self.0.push(Box::new(guard));
+        self.guards.push(Box::new(guard));
         self
     }
 }
 
 impl Guard for AnyGuard {
-    fn check(&self, req: &RequestHead) -> bool {
-        for p in &self.0 {
-            if p.check(req) {
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool {
+        for guard in &self.guards {
+            if guard.check(ctx) {
                 return true;
             }
         }
+
         false
     }
 }
 
-/// Return guard that matches if all of the supplied guards.
+/// Creates a guard that matches if all added guards match.
 ///
+/// # Examples
+/// The handler below will only be called if the request method is `GET` **and** the specified
+/// header name and value match exactly.
 /// ```
-/// use actix_web::{guard, web, App, HttpResponse};
+/// use actix_web::{guard, web, HttpResponse};
 ///
-/// fn main() {
-///     App::new().service(web::resource("/index.html").route(
-///         web::route()
-///             .guard(
-///                 guard::All(guard::Get()).and(guard::Header("content-type", "text/plain")))
-///             .to(|| HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed()))
-///     );
-/// }
+/// web::route()
+///     .guard(
+///         guard::All(guard::Get())
+///             .and(guard::Header("accept", "text/plain"))
+///     )
+///     .to(|| HttpResponse::Ok());
 /// ```
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
 pub fn All<F: Guard + 'static>(guard: F) -> AllGuard {
-    AllGuard(vec![Box::new(guard)])
+    AllGuard {
+        guards: vec![Box::new(guard)],
+    }
 }
 
-/// Matches if all of supplied guards.
-pub struct AllGuard(Vec<Box<dyn Guard>>);
+/// A collection of guards that match if the conjunction of their `check` outcomes is true.
+///
+/// That is, **all** contained guard needs to match in order for the aggregate guard to match.
+///
+/// Construct an `AllGuard` using [`All`].
+pub struct AllGuard {
+    guards: Vec<Box<dyn Guard>>,
+}
 
 impl AllGuard {
-    /// Add new guard to the list of guards to check
+    /// Adds new guard to the collection of guards to check.
     pub fn and<F: Guard + 'static>(mut self, guard: F) -> Self {
-        self.0.push(Box::new(guard));
+        self.guards.push(Box::new(guard));
         self
     }
 }
 
 impl Guard for AllGuard {
-    fn check(&self, request: &RequestHead) -> bool {
-        for p in &self.0 {
-            if !p.check(request) {
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool {
+        for guard in &self.guards {
+            if !guard.check(ctx) {
                 return false;
             }
         }
@@ -170,161 +254,210 @@ impl Guard for AllGuard {
     }
 }
 
-/// Return guard that matches if supplied guard does not match.
-pub fn Not<F: Guard + 'static>(guard: F) -> NotGuard {
-    NotGuard(Box::new(guard))
-}
+/// Wraps a guard and inverts the outcome of it's `Guard` implementation.
+///
+/// # Examples
+/// The handler below will be called for any request method apart from `GET`.
+/// ```
+/// use actix_web::{guard, web, HttpResponse};
+///
+/// web::route()
+///     .guard(guard::Not(guard::Get()))
+///     .to(|| HttpResponse::Ok());
+/// ```
+pub struct Not<G>(pub G);
 
-#[doc(hidden)]
-pub struct NotGuard(Box<dyn Guard>);
-
-impl Guard for NotGuard {
-    fn check(&self, request: &RequestHead) -> bool {
-        !self.0.check(request)
+impl<G: Guard> Guard for Not<G> {
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool {
+        !self.0.check(ctx)
     }
 }
 
-/// HTTP method guard.
-#[doc(hidden)]
-pub struct MethodGuard(HttpMethod);
-
-impl Guard for MethodGuard {
-    fn check(&self, request: &RequestHead) -> bool {
-        request.method == self.0
-    }
-}
-
-/// Guard to match *GET* HTTP method.
-pub fn Get() -> MethodGuard {
-    MethodGuard(HttpMethod::GET)
-}
-
-/// Predicate to match *POST* HTTP method.
-pub fn Post() -> MethodGuard {
-    MethodGuard(HttpMethod::POST)
-}
-
-/// Predicate to match *PUT* HTTP method.
-pub fn Put() -> MethodGuard {
-    MethodGuard(HttpMethod::PUT)
-}
-
-/// Predicate to match *DELETE* HTTP method.
-pub fn Delete() -> MethodGuard {
-    MethodGuard(HttpMethod::DELETE)
-}
-
-/// Predicate to match *HEAD* HTTP method.
-pub fn Head() -> MethodGuard {
-    MethodGuard(HttpMethod::HEAD)
-}
-
-/// Predicate to match *OPTIONS* HTTP method.
-pub fn Options() -> MethodGuard {
-    MethodGuard(HttpMethod::OPTIONS)
-}
-
-/// Predicate to match *CONNECT* HTTP method.
-pub fn Connect() -> MethodGuard {
-    MethodGuard(HttpMethod::CONNECT)
-}
-
-/// Predicate to match *PATCH* HTTP method.
-pub fn Patch() -> MethodGuard {
-    MethodGuard(HttpMethod::PATCH)
-}
-
-/// Predicate to match *TRACE* HTTP method.
-pub fn Trace() -> MethodGuard {
-    MethodGuard(HttpMethod::TRACE)
-}
-
-/// Predicate to match specified HTTP method.
-pub fn Method(method: HttpMethod) -> MethodGuard {
+/// Creates a guard that matches a specified HTTP method.
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
+pub fn Method(method: HttpMethod) -> impl Guard {
     MethodGuard(method)
 }
 
-/// Return predicate that matches if request contains specified header and
-/// value.
-pub fn Header(name: &'static str, value: &'static str) -> HeaderGuard {
+/// HTTP method guard.
+struct MethodGuard(HttpMethod);
+
+impl Guard for MethodGuard {
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool {
+        ctx.head().method == self.0
+    }
+}
+
+macro_rules! method_guard {
+    ($method_fn:ident, $method_const:ident) => {
+        #[doc = concat!("Creates a guard that matches the `", stringify!($method_const), "` request method.")]
+        ///
+        /// # Examples
+        #[doc = concat!("The route in this example will only respond to `", stringify!($method_const), "` requests.")]
+        /// ```
+        /// use actix_web::{guard, web, HttpResponse};
+        ///
+        /// web::route()
+        #[doc = concat!("    .guard(guard::", stringify!($method_fn), "())")]
+        ///     .to(|| HttpResponse::Ok());
+        /// ```
+        #[allow(non_snake_case)]
+        pub fn $method_fn() -> impl Guard {
+            MethodGuard(HttpMethod::$method_const)
+        }
+    };
+}
+
+method_guard!(Get, GET);
+method_guard!(Post, POST);
+method_guard!(Put, PUT);
+method_guard!(Delete, DELETE);
+method_guard!(Head, HEAD);
+method_guard!(Options, OPTIONS);
+method_guard!(Connect, CONNECT);
+method_guard!(Patch, PATCH);
+method_guard!(Trace, TRACE);
+
+/// Creates a guard that matches if request contains given header name and value.
+///
+/// # Examples
+/// The handler below will be called when the request contains an `x-guarded` header with value
+/// equal to `secret`.
+/// ```
+/// use actix_web::{guard, web, HttpResponse};
+///
+/// web::route()
+///     .guard(guard::Header("x-guarded", "secret"))
+///     .to(|| HttpResponse::Ok());
+/// ```
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
+pub fn Header(name: &'static str, value: &'static str) -> impl Guard {
     HeaderGuard(
         header::HeaderName::try_from(name).unwrap(),
         header::HeaderValue::from_static(value),
     )
 }
 
-#[doc(hidden)]
-pub struct HeaderGuard(header::HeaderName, header::HeaderValue);
+struct HeaderGuard(header::HeaderName, header::HeaderValue);
 
 impl Guard for HeaderGuard {
-    fn check(&self, req: &RequestHead) -> bool {
-        if let Some(val) = req.headers.get(&self.0) {
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool {
+        if let Some(val) = ctx.head().headers.get(&self.0) {
             return val == self.1;
         }
+
         false
     }
 }
 
-/// Return predicate that matches if request contains specified Host name.
+/// Creates a guard that matches requests targetting a specific host.
 ///
+/// # Matching Host
+/// This guard will:
+/// - match against the `Host` header, if present;
+/// - fall-back to matching against the request target's host, if present;
+/// - return false if host cannot be determined;
+///
+/// # Matching Scheme
+/// Optionally, this guard can match against the host's scheme. Set the scheme for matching using
+/// `Host(host).scheme(protocol)`. If the request's scheme cannot be determined, it will not prevent
+/// the guard from matching successfully.
+///
+/// # Examples
+/// The [module-level documentation](self) has an example of virtual hosting using `Host` guards.
+///
+/// The example below additionally guards on the host URI's scheme. This could allow routing to
+/// different handlers for `http:` vs `https:` visitors; to redirect, for example.
 /// ```
-/// use actix_web::{web, guard::Host, App, HttpResponse};
+/// use actix_web::{web, guard::Host, HttpResponse};
 ///
-/// fn main() {
-///     App::new().service(
-///         web::resource("/index.html")
-///             .guard(Host("www.rust-lang.org"))
-///             .to(|| HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed())
+/// web::scope("/admin")
+///     .guard(Host("admin.rust-lang.org").scheme("https"))
+///     .default_service(web::to(|| HttpResponse::Ok().body("admin connection is secure")));
+/// ```
+///
+/// The `Host` guard can be used to set up some form of [virtual hosting] within a single app.
+/// Overlapping scope prefixes are usually discouraged, but when combined with non-overlapping guard
+/// definitions they become safe to use in this way. Without these host guards, only routes under
+/// the first-to-be-defined scope would be accessible. You can test this locally using `127.0.0.1`
+/// and `localhost` as the `Host` guards.
+/// ```
+/// use actix_web::{web, http::Method, guard, App, HttpResponse};
+///
+/// App::new()
+///     .service(
+///         web::scope("")
+///             .guard(guard::Host("www.rust-lang.org"))
+///             .default_service(web::to(|| HttpResponse::Ok().body("marketing site"))),
+///     )
+///     .service(
+///         web::scope("")
+///             .guard(guard::Host("play.rust-lang.org"))
+///             .default_service(web::to(|| HttpResponse::Ok().body("playground frontend"))),
 ///     );
-/// }
 /// ```
-pub fn Host<H: AsRef<str>>(host: H) -> HostGuard {
-    HostGuard(host.as_ref().to_string(), None)
+///
+/// [virtual hosting]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_hosting
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
+pub fn Host(host: impl AsRef<str>) -> HostGuard {
+    HostGuard {
+        host: host.as_ref().to_string(),
+        scheme: None,
+    }
 }
 
 fn get_host_uri(req: &RequestHead) -> Option<Uri> {
-    use core::str::FromStr;
     req.headers
         .get(header::HOST)
         .and_then(|host_value| host_value.to_str().ok())
         .or_else(|| req.uri.host())
-        .map(|host: &str| Uri::from_str(host).ok())
-        .and_then(|host_success| host_success)
+        .and_then(|host| host.parse().ok())
 }
 
 #[doc(hidden)]
-pub struct HostGuard(String, Option<String>);
+pub struct HostGuard {
+    host: String,
+    scheme: Option<String>,
+}
 
 impl HostGuard {
     /// Set request scheme to match
     pub fn scheme<H: AsRef<str>>(mut self, scheme: H) -> HostGuard {
-        self.1 = Some(scheme.as_ref().to_string());
+        self.scheme = Some(scheme.as_ref().to_string());
         self
     }
 }
 
 impl Guard for HostGuard {
-    fn check(&self, req: &RequestHead) -> bool {
-        let req_host_uri = if let Some(uri) = get_host_uri(req) {
-            uri
-        } else {
-            return false;
+    fn check(&self, ctx: &GuardContext<'_>) -> bool {
+        // parse host URI from header or request target
+        let req_host_uri = match get_host_uri(ctx.head()) {
+            Some(uri) => uri,
+
+            // no match if host cannot be determined
+            None => return false,
         };
 
-        if let Some(uri_host) = req_host_uri.host() {
-            if self.0 != uri_host {
-                return false;
-            }
-        } else {
-            return false;
+        match req_host_uri.host() {
+            // fall through to scheme checks
+            Some(uri_host) if self.host == uri_host => {}
+
+            // Either:
+            // - request's host does not match guard's host;
+            // - It was possible that the parsed URI from request target did not contain a host.
+            _ => return false,
         }
 
-        if let Some(ref scheme) = self.1 {
+        if let Some(ref scheme) = self.scheme {
             if let Some(ref req_host_uri_scheme) = req_host_uri.scheme_str() {
                 return scheme == req_host_uri_scheme;
             }
+
+            // TODO: is the the correct behavior?
+            // falls through if scheme cannot be determined
         }
 
+        // all conditions passed
         true
     }
 }
@@ -337,171 +470,214 @@ mod tests {
     use crate::test::TestRequest;
 
     #[test]
-    fn test_header() {
+    fn header_match() {
         let req = TestRequest::default()
             .insert_header((header::TRANSFER_ENCODING, "chunked"))
-            .to_http_request();
+            .to_srv_request();
 
-        let pred = Header("transfer-encoding", "chunked");
-        assert!(pred.check(req.head()));
+        let hdr = Header("transfer-encoding", "chunked");
+        assert!(hdr.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
-        let pred = Header("transfer-encoding", "other");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        let hdr = Header("transfer-encoding", "other");
+        assert!(!hdr.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
-        let pred = Header("content-type", "other");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        let hdr = Header("content-type", "chunked");
+        assert!(!hdr.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+
+        let hdr = Header("content-type", "other");
+        assert!(!hdr.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn test_host() {
+    fn host_from_header() {
         let req = TestRequest::default()
             .insert_header((
                 header::HOST,
                 header::HeaderValue::from_static("www.rust-lang.org"),
             ))
-            .to_http_request();
+            .to_srv_request();
 
-        let pred = Host("www.rust-lang.org");
-        assert!(pred.check(req.head()));
+        let host = Host("www.rust-lang.org");
+        assert!(host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
-        let pred = Host("www.rust-lang.org").scheme("https");
-        assert!(pred.check(req.head()));
+        let host = Host("www.rust-lang.org").scheme("https");
+        assert!(host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
-        let pred = Host("blog.rust-lang.org");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        let host = Host("blog.rust-lang.org");
+        assert!(!host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
-        let pred = Host("blog.rust-lang.org").scheme("https");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        let host = Host("blog.rust-lang.org").scheme("https");
+        assert!(!host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
-        let pred = Host("crates.io");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        let host = Host("crates.io");
+        assert!(!host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
-        let pred = Host("localhost");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        let host = Host("localhost");
+        assert!(!host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn test_host_scheme() {
+    fn host_without_header() {
+        let req = TestRequest::default()
+            .uri("www.rust-lang.org")
+            .to_srv_request();
+
+        let host = Host("www.rust-lang.org");
+        assert!(host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+
+        let host = Host("www.rust-lang.org").scheme("https");
+        assert!(host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+
+        let host = Host("blog.rust-lang.org");
+        assert!(!host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+
+        let host = Host("blog.rust-lang.org").scheme("https");
+        assert!(!host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+
+        let host = Host("crates.io");
+        assert!(!host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+
+        let host = Host("localhost");
+        assert!(!host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn host_scheme() {
         let req = TestRequest::default()
             .insert_header((
                 header::HOST,
                 header::HeaderValue::from_static("https://www.rust-lang.org"),
             ))
-            .to_http_request();
+            .to_srv_request();
 
-        let pred = Host("www.rust-lang.org").scheme("https");
-        assert!(pred.check(req.head()));
+        let host = Host("www.rust-lang.org").scheme("https");
+        assert!(host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
-        let pred = Host("www.rust-lang.org");
-        assert!(pred.check(req.head()));
+        let host = Host("www.rust-lang.org");
+        assert!(host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
-        let pred = Host("www.rust-lang.org").scheme("http");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        let host = Host("www.rust-lang.org").scheme("http");
+        assert!(!host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
-        let pred = Host("blog.rust-lang.org");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        let host = Host("blog.rust-lang.org");
+        assert!(!host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
-        let pred = Host("blog.rust-lang.org").scheme("https");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        let host = Host("blog.rust-lang.org").scheme("https");
+        assert!(!host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
-        let pred = Host("crates.io").scheme("https");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        let host = Host("crates.io").scheme("https");
+        assert!(!host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
 
-        let pred = Host("localhost");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
+        let host = Host("localhost");
+        assert!(!host.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn test_host_without_header() {
+    fn method_guards() {
+        let get_req = TestRequest::get().to_srv_request();
+        let post_req = TestRequest::post().to_srv_request();
+
+        assert!(Get().check(&get_req.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Get().check(&post_req.guard_ctx()));
+
+        assert!(Post().check(&post_req.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Post().check(&get_req.guard_ctx()));
+
+        let req = TestRequest::put().to_srv_request();
+        assert!(Put().check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Put().check(&get_req.guard_ctx()));
+
+        let req = TestRequest::patch().to_srv_request();
+        assert!(Patch().check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Patch().check(&get_req.guard_ctx()));
+
+        let r = TestRequest::delete().to_srv_request();
+        assert!(Delete().check(&r.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Delete().check(&get_req.guard_ctx()));
+
+        let req = TestRequest::default().method(Method::HEAD).to_srv_request();
+        assert!(Head().check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Head().check(&get_req.guard_ctx()));
+
         let req = TestRequest::default()
-            .uri("www.rust-lang.org")
-            .to_http_request();
-
-        let pred = Host("www.rust-lang.org");
-        assert!(pred.check(req.head()));
-
-        let pred = Host("www.rust-lang.org").scheme("https");
-        assert!(pred.check(req.head()));
-
-        let pred = Host("blog.rust-lang.org");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
-
-        let pred = Host("blog.rust-lang.org").scheme("https");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
-
-        let pred = Host("crates.io");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
-
-        let pred = Host("localhost");
-        assert!(!pred.check(req.head()));
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn test_methods() {
-        let req = TestRequest::default().to_http_request();
-        let req2 = TestRequest::default()
-            .method(Method::POST)
-            .to_http_request();
-
-        assert!(Get().check(req.head()));
-        assert!(!Get().check(req2.head()));
-        assert!(Post().check(req2.head()));
-        assert!(!Post().check(req.head()));
-
-        let r = TestRequest::default().method(Method::PUT).to_http_request();
-        assert!(Put().check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!Put().check(req.head()));
-
-        let r = TestRequest::default()
-            .method(Method::DELETE)
-            .to_http_request();
-        assert!(Delete().check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!Delete().check(req.head()));
-
-        let r = TestRequest::default()
-            .method(Method::HEAD)
-            .to_http_request();
-        assert!(Head().check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!Head().check(req.head()));
-
-        let r = TestRequest::default()
             .method(Method::OPTIONS)
-            .to_http_request();
-        assert!(Options().check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!Options().check(req.head()));
+            .to_srv_request();
+        assert!(Options().check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Options().check(&get_req.guard_ctx()));
 
-        let r = TestRequest::default()
+        let req = TestRequest::default()
             .method(Method::CONNECT)
-            .to_http_request();
-        assert!(Connect().check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!Connect().check(req.head()));
+            .to_srv_request();
+        assert!(Connect().check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Connect().check(&get_req.guard_ctx()));
 
-        let r = TestRequest::default()
-            .method(Method::PATCH)
-            .to_http_request();
-        assert!(Patch().check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!Patch().check(req.head()));
-
-        let r = TestRequest::default()
+        let req = TestRequest::default()
             .method(Method::TRACE)
-            .to_http_request();
-        assert!(Trace().check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!Trace().check(req.head()));
+            .to_srv_request();
+        assert!(Trace().check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Trace().check(&get_req.guard_ctx()));
     }
 
     #[test]
-    fn test_preds() {
-        let r = TestRequest::default()
+    fn aggregate_any() {
+        let req = TestRequest::default()
             .method(Method::TRACE)
-            .to_http_request();
+            .to_srv_request();
 
-        assert!(Not(Get()).check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!Not(Trace()).check(r.head()));
+        assert!(Any(Trace()).check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(Any(Trace()).or(Get()).check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!Any(Get()).or(Get()).check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+    }
 
-        assert!(All(Trace()).and(Trace()).check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!All(Get()).and(Trace()).check(r.head()));
+    #[test]
+    fn aggregate_all() {
+        let req = TestRequest::default()
+            .method(Method::TRACE)
+            .to_srv_request();
 
-        assert!(Any(Get()).or(Trace()).check(r.head()));
-        assert!(!Any(Get()).or(Get()).check(r.head()));
+        assert!(All(Trace()).check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(All(Trace()).and(Trace()).check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+        assert!(!All(Trace()).and(Get()).check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn nested_not() {
+        let req = TestRequest::default().to_srv_request();
+
+        let get = Get();
+        assert!(get.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+
+        let not_get = Not(get);
+        assert!(!not_get.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+
+        let not_not_get = Not(not_get);
+        assert!(not_not_get.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn function_guard() {
+        let domain = "rust-lang.org".to_owned();
+        let guard = fn_guard(|ctx| ctx.head().uri.host().unwrap().ends_with(&domain));
+
+        let req = TestRequest::default()
+            .uri("blog.rust-lang.org")
+            .to_srv_request();
+        assert!(guard.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+
+        let req = TestRequest::default().uri("crates.io").to_srv_request();
+        assert!(!guard.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn mega_nesting() {
+        let guard = fn_guard(|ctx| All(Not(Any(Not(Trace())))).check(ctx));
+
+        let req = TestRequest::default().to_srv_request();
+        assert!(!guard.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
+
+        let req = TestRequest::default()
+            .method(Method::TRACE)
+            .to_srv_request();
+        assert!(guard.check(&req.guard_ctx()));
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/handler.rs b/src/handler.rs
index e543ecc7f..7eb70ed25 100644
--- a/src/handler.rs
+++ b/src/handler.rs
@@ -3,35 +3,90 @@ use std::future::Future;
 use actix_service::{boxed, fn_service};
 
 use crate::{
-    body::MessageBody,
     service::{BoxedHttpServiceFactory, ServiceRequest, ServiceResponse},
-    BoxError, FromRequest, HttpResponse, Responder,
+    FromRequest, HttpResponse, Responder,
 };
 
-/// A request handler is an async function that accepts zero or more parameters that can be
-/// extracted from a request (i.e., [`impl FromRequest`]) and returns a type that can be converted
-/// into an [`HttpResponse`] (that is, it impls the [`Responder`] trait).
+/// The interface for request handlers.
 ///
-/// If you got the error `the trait Handler<_, _, _> is not implemented`, then your function is not
-/// a valid handler. See <https://actix.rs/docs/handlers> for more information.
+/// # What Is A Request Handler
+/// A request handler has three requirements:
+/// 1. It is an async function (or a function/closure that returns an appropriate future);
+/// 1. The function parameters (up to 12) implement [`FromRequest`];
+/// 1. The async function (or future) resolves to a type that can be converted into an
+///   [`HttpResponse`] (i.e., it implements the [`Responder`] trait).
 ///
-/// [`impl FromRequest`]: crate::FromRequest
-pub trait Handler<T, R>: Clone + 'static
-where
-    R: Future,
-    R::Output: Responder,
-{
-    fn call(&self, param: T) -> R;
+/// # Compiler Errors
+/// If you get the error `the trait Handler<_> is not implemented`, then your handler does not
+/// fulfill the _first_ of the above requirements. Missing other requirements manifest as errors on
+/// implementing [`FromRequest`] and [`Responder`], respectively.
+///
+/// # How Do Handlers Receive Variable Numbers Of Arguments
+/// Rest assured there is no macro magic here; it's just traits.
+///
+/// The first thing to note is that [`FromRequest`] is implemented for tuples (up to 12 in length).
+///
+/// Secondly, the `Handler` trait is implemented for functions (up to an [arity] of 12) in a way
+/// that aligns their parameter positions with a corresponding tuple of types (becoming the `Args`
+/// type parameter for this trait).
+///
+/// Thanks to Rust's type system, Actix Web can infer the function parameter types. During the
+/// extraction step, the parameter types are described as a tuple type, [`from_request`] is run on
+/// that tuple, and the `Handler::call` implementation for that particular function arity
+/// destructures the tuple into it's component types and calls your handler function with them.
+///
+/// In pseudo-code the process looks something like this:
+/// ```ignore
+/// async fn my_handler(body: String, state: web::Data<MyState>) -> impl Responder {
+///     ...
+/// }
+///
+/// // the function params above described as a tuple, names do not matter, only position
+/// type InferredMyHandlerArgs = (String, web::Data<MyState>);
+///
+/// // create tuple of arguments to be passed to handler
+/// let args = InferredMyHandlerArgs::from_request(&request, &payload).await;
+///
+/// // call handler with argument tuple
+/// let response = Handler::call(&my_handler, args).await;
+///
+/// // which is effectively...
+///
+/// let (body, state) = args;
+/// let response = my_handler(body, state).await;
+/// ```
+///
+/// This is the source code for the 2-parameter implementation of `Handler` to help illustrate the
+/// bounds of the handler call after argument extraction:
+/// ```ignore
+/// impl<Func, Arg1, Arg2, Fut> Handler<(Arg1, Arg2)> for Func
+/// where
+///     Func: Fn(Arg1, Arg2) -> Fut + Clone + 'static,
+///     Fut: Future,
+/// {
+///     type Output = Fut::Output;
+///     type Future = Fut;
+///
+///     fn call(&self, (arg1, arg2): (Arg1, Arg2)) -> Self::Future {
+///         (self)(arg1, arg2)
+///     }
+/// }
+/// ```
+///
+/// [arity]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arity
+/// [`from_request`]: FromRequest::from_request
+pub trait Handler<Args>: Clone + 'static {
+    type Output;
+    type Future: Future<Output = Self::Output>;
+
+    fn call(&self, args: Args) -> Self::Future;
 }
 
-pub(crate) fn handler_service<F, T, R>(handler: F) -> BoxedHttpServiceFactory
+pub(crate) fn handler_service<F, Args>(handler: F) -> BoxedHttpServiceFactory
 where
-    F: Handler<T, R>,
-    T: FromRequest,
-    R: Future,
-    R::Output: Responder,
-    <R::Output as Responder>::Body: MessageBody,
-    <<R::Output as Responder>::Body as MessageBody>::Error: Into<BoxError>,
+    F: Handler<Args>,
+    Args: FromRequest,
+    F::Output: Responder,
 {
     boxed::factory(fn_service(move |req: ServiceRequest| {
         let handler = handler.clone();
@@ -39,7 +94,7 @@ where
         async move {
             let (req, mut payload) = req.into_parts();
 
-            let res = match T::from_request(&req, &mut payload).await {
+            let res = match Args::from_request(&req, &mut payload).await {
                 Err(err) => HttpResponse::from_error(err),
 
                 Ok(data) => handler
@@ -59,17 +114,21 @@ where
 ///
 /// # Examples
 /// ```ignore
-/// factory_tuple! {}         // implements Handler for types: fn() -> Res
-/// factory_tuple! { A B C }  // implements Handler for types: fn(A, B, C) -> Res
+/// factory_tuple! {}         // implements Handler for types: fn() -> R
+/// factory_tuple! { A B C }  // implements Handler for types: fn(A, B, C) -> R
 /// ```
 macro_rules! factory_tuple ({ $($param:ident)* } => {
-    impl<Func, $($param,)* Res> Handler<($($param,)*), Res> for Func
-    where Func: Fn($($param),*) -> Res + Clone + 'static,
-          Res: Future,
-          Res::Output: Responder,
+    impl<Func, Fut, $($param,)*> Handler<($($param,)*)> for Func
+    where
+        Func: Fn($($param),*) -> Fut + Clone + 'static,
+        Fut: Future,
     {
+        type Output = Fut::Output;
+        type Future = Fut;
+
+        #[inline]
         #[allow(non_snake_case)]
-        fn call(&self, ($($param,)*): ($($param,)*)) -> Res {
+        fn call(&self, ($($param,)*): ($($param,)*)) -> Self::Future {
             (self)($($param,)*)
         }
     }
@@ -88,3 +147,25 @@ factory_tuple! { A B C D E F G H I }
 factory_tuple! { A B C D E F G H I J }
 factory_tuple! { A B C D E F G H I J K }
 factory_tuple! { A B C D E F G H I J K L }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    fn assert_impl_handler<T: FromRequest>(_: impl Handler<T>) {}
+
+    #[test]
+    fn arg_number() {
+        async fn handler_min() {}
+
+        #[rustfmt::skip]
+        #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments, clippy::just_underscores_and_digits)]
+        async fn handler_max(
+            _01: (), _02: (), _03: (), _04: (), _05: (), _06: (),
+            _07: (), _08: (), _09: (), _10: (), _11: (), _12: (),
+        ) {}
+
+        assert_impl_handler(handler_min);
+        assert_impl_handler(handler_max);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/http/header/accept.rs b/src/http/header/accept.rs
index c61e6ab49..744c9b6e8 100644
--- a/src/http/header/accept.rs
+++ b/src/http/header/accept.rs
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@ use std::cmp::Ordering;
 
 use mime::Mime;
 
-use super::QualityItem;
+use super::{common_header, QualityItem};
 use crate::http::header;
 
-crate::http::header::common_header! {
+common_header! {
     /// `Accept` header, defined
     /// in [RFC 7231 §5.3.2](https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc7231#section-5.3.2)
     ///
@@ -147,6 +147,39 @@ impl Accept {
         Accept(vec![QualityItem::max(mime::TEXT_HTML)])
     }
 
+    // TODO: method for getting best content encoding based on q-factors, available from server side
+    // and if none are acceptable return None
+
+    /// Extracts the most preferable mime type, accounting for [q-factor weighting].
+    ///
+    /// If no q-factors are provided, the first mime type is chosen. Note that items without
+    /// q-factors are given the maximum preference value.
+    ///
+    /// As per the spec, will return [`mime::STAR_STAR`] (indicating no preference) if the contained
+    /// list is empty.
+    ///
+    /// [q-factor weighting]: https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc7231#section-5.3.2
+    pub fn preference(&self) -> Mime {
+        use actix_http::header::Quality;
+
+        let mut max_item = None;
+        let mut max_pref = Quality::ZERO;
+
+        // uses manual max lookup loop since we want the first occurrence in the case of same
+        // preference but `Iterator::max_by_key` would give us the last occurrence
+
+        for pref in &self.0 {
+            // only change if strictly greater
+            // equal items, even while unsorted, still have higher preference if they appear first
+            if pref.quality > max_pref {
+                max_pref = pref.quality;
+                max_item = Some(pref.item.clone());
+            }
+        }
+
+        max_item.unwrap_or(mime::STAR_STAR)
+    }
+
     /// Returns a sorted list of mime types from highest to lowest preference, accounting for
     /// [q-factor weighting] and specificity.
     ///
@@ -196,36 +229,6 @@ impl Accept {
 
         types.into_iter().map(|qitem| qitem.item).collect()
     }
-
-    /// Extracts the most preferable mime type, accounting for [q-factor weighting].
-    ///
-    /// If no q-factors are provided, the first mime type is chosen. Note that items without
-    /// q-factors are given the maximum preference value.
-    ///
-    /// As per the spec, will return [`mime::STAR_STAR`] (indicating no preference) if the contained
-    /// list is empty.
-    ///
-    /// [q-factor weighting]: https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc7231#section-5.3.2
-    pub fn preference(&self) -> Mime {
-        use actix_http::header::Quality;
-
-        let mut max_item = None;
-        let mut max_pref = Quality::MIN;
-
-        // uses manual max lookup loop since we want the first occurrence in the case of same
-        // preference but `Iterator::max_by_key` would give us the last occurrence
-
-        for pref in &self.0 {
-            // only change if strictly greater
-            // equal items, even while unsorted, still have higher preference if they appear first
-            if pref.quality > max_pref {
-                max_pref = pref.quality;
-                max_item = Some(pref.item.clone());
-            }
-        }
-
-        max_item.unwrap_or(mime::STAR_STAR)
-    }
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]
@@ -239,7 +242,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(test.ranked().is_empty());
 
         let test = Accept(vec![QualityItem::max(mime::APPLICATION_JSON)]);
-        assert_eq!(test.ranked(), vec!(mime::APPLICATION_JSON));
+        assert_eq!(test.ranked(), vec![mime::APPLICATION_JSON]);
 
         let test = Accept(vec![
             QualityItem::max(mime::TEXT_HTML),
diff --git a/src/http/header/accept_charset.rs b/src/http/header/accept_charset.rs
index c8b918c91..c7f7e1a68 100644
--- a/src/http/header/accept_charset.rs
+++ b/src/http/header/accept_charset.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
-use super::{Charset, QualityItem, ACCEPT_CHARSET};
+use super::{common_header, Charset, QualityItem, ACCEPT_CHARSET};
 
-crate::http::header::common_header! {
-    /// `Accept-Charset` header, defined in
-    /// [RFC 7231 §5.3.3](https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc7231#section-5.3.3)
+common_header! {
+    /// `Accept-Charset` header, defined in [RFC 7231 §5.3.3].
     ///
     /// The `Accept-Charset` header field can be sent by a user agent to
     /// indicate what charsets are acceptable in textual response content.
@@ -52,10 +51,12 @@ crate::http::header::common_header! {
     ///     AcceptCharset(vec![QualityItem::max(Charset::Ext("utf-8".to_owned()))])
     /// );
     /// ```
-    (AcceptCharset, ACCEPT_CHARSET) => (QualityItem<Charset>)+
+    ///
+    /// [RFC 7231 §5.3.3]: https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc7231#section-5.3.3
+    (AcceptCharset, ACCEPT_CHARSET) => (QualityItem<Charset>)*
 
     test_parse_and_format {
         // Test case from RFC
-        crate::http::header::common_header_test!(test1, vec![b"iso-8859-5, unicode-1-1;q=0.8"]);
+        common_header_test!(test1, vec![b"iso-8859-5, unicode-1-1;q=0.8"]);
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/http/header/accept_encoding.rs b/src/http/header/accept_encoding.rs
index 828a0533c..8c35179b6 100644
--- a/src/http/header/accept_encoding.rs
+++ b/src/http/header/accept_encoding.rs
@@ -1,17 +1,15 @@
-use actix_http::header::QualityItem;
+use std::collections::HashSet;
 
-use super::{common_header, Encoding};
+use super::{common_header, ContentEncoding, Encoding, Preference, Quality, QualityItem};
 use crate::http::header;
 
 common_header! {
     /// `Accept-Encoding` header, defined
     /// in [RFC 7231](https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc7231#section-5.3.4)
     ///
-    /// The `Accept-Encoding` header field can be used by user agents to
-    /// indicate what response content-codings are
-    /// acceptable in the response.  An  `identity` token is used as a synonym
-    /// for "no encoding" in order to communicate when no encoding is
-    /// preferred.
+    /// The `Accept-Encoding` header field can be used by user agents to indicate what response
+    /// content-codings are acceptable in the response. An `identity` token is used as a synonym
+    /// for "no encoding" in order to communicate when no encoding is preferred.
     ///
     /// # ABNF
     /// ```plain
@@ -29,11 +27,11 @@ common_header! {
     /// # Examples
     /// ```
     /// use actix_web::HttpResponse;
-    /// use actix_web::http::header::{AcceptEncoding, Encoding, QualityItem};
+    /// use actix_web::http::header::{AcceptEncoding, Encoding, Preference, QualityItem};
     ///
     /// let mut builder = HttpResponse::Ok();
     /// builder.insert_header(
-    ///     AcceptEncoding(vec![QualityItem::max(Encoding::Chunked)])
+    ///     AcceptEncoding(vec![QualityItem::max(Preference::Specific(Encoding::gzip()))])
     /// );
     /// ```
     ///
@@ -44,40 +42,388 @@ common_header! {
     /// let mut builder = HttpResponse::Ok();
     /// builder.insert_header(
     ///     AcceptEncoding(vec![
-    ///         QualityItem::max(Encoding::Chunked),
-    ///         QualityItem::max(Encoding::Gzip),
-    ///         QualityItem::max(Encoding::Deflate),
+    ///         "gzip".parse().unwrap(),
+    ///         "br".parse().unwrap(),
     ///     ])
     /// );
     /// ```
-    ///
-    /// ```
-    /// use actix_web::HttpResponse;
-    /// use actix_web::http::header::{AcceptEncoding, Encoding, QualityItem, q};
-    ///
-    /// let mut builder = HttpResponse::Ok();
-    /// builder.insert_header(
-    ///     AcceptEncoding(vec![
-    ///         QualityItem::max(Encoding::Chunked),
-    ///         QualityItem::new(Encoding::Gzip, q(0.60)),
-    ///         QualityItem::min(Encoding::EncodingExt("*".to_owned())),
-    ///     ])
-    /// );
-    /// ```
-    (AcceptEncoding, header::ACCEPT_ENCODING) => (QualityItem<Encoding>)*
+    (AcceptEncoding, header::ACCEPT_ENCODING) => (QualityItem<Preference<Encoding>>)*
 
     test_parse_and_format {
-        // From the RFC
-        common_header_test!(test1, vec![b"compress, gzip"]);
-        common_header_test!(test2, vec![b""], Some(AcceptEncoding(vec![])));
-        common_header_test!(test3, vec![b"*"]);
+        common_header_test!(no_headers, vec![b""; 0], Some(AcceptEncoding(vec![])));
+        common_header_test!(empty_header, vec![b""; 1], Some(AcceptEncoding(vec![])));
+
+        common_header_test!(
+            order_of_appearance,
+            vec![b"br, gzip"],
+            Some(AcceptEncoding(vec![
+                QualityItem::max(Preference::Specific(Encoding::brotli())),
+                QualityItem::max(Preference::Specific(Encoding::gzip())),
+            ]))
+        );
+
+        common_header_test!(any, vec![b"*"], Some(AcceptEncoding(vec![
+            QualityItem::max(Preference::Any),
+        ])));
 
         // Note: Removed quality 1 from gzip
-        common_header_test!(test4, vec![b"compress;q=0.5, gzip"]);
+        common_header_test!(implicit_quality, vec![b"gzip, identity; q=0.5, *;q=0"]);
 
         // Note: Removed quality 1 from gzip
-        common_header_test!(test5, vec![b"gzip, identity; q=0.5, *;q=0"]);
+        common_header_test!(implicit_quality_out_of_order, vec![b"compress;q=0.5, gzip"]);
+
+        common_header_test!(
+            only_gzip_no_identity,
+            vec![b"gzip, *; q=0"],
+            Some(AcceptEncoding(vec![
+                QualityItem::max(Preference::Specific(Encoding::gzip())),
+                QualityItem::zero(Preference::Any),
+            ]))
+        );
     }
 }
 
-// TODO: shortcut for EncodingExt(*) = Any
+impl AcceptEncoding {
+    /// Selects the most acceptable encoding according to client preference and supported types.
+    ///
+    /// The "identity" encoding is not assumed and should be included in the `supported` iterator
+    /// if a non-encoded representation can be selected.
+    ///
+    /// If `None` is returned, this indicates that none of the supported encodings are acceptable to
+    /// the client. The caller should generate a 406 Not Acceptable response (unencoded) that
+    /// includes the server's supported encodings in the body plus a [`Vary`] header.
+    ///
+    /// [`Vary`]: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Headers/Vary
+    pub fn negotiate<'a>(
+        &self,
+        supported: impl Iterator<Item = &'a Encoding>,
+    ) -> Option<Encoding> {
+        // 1. If no Accept-Encoding field is in the request, any content-coding is considered
+        // acceptable by the user agent.
+
+        let supported_set = supported.collect::<HashSet<_>>();
+
+        if supported_set.is_empty() {
+            return None;
+        }
+
+        if self.0.is_empty() {
+            // though it is not recommended to encode in this case, return identity encoding
+            return Some(Encoding::identity());
+        }
+
+        // 2. If the representation has no content-coding, then it is acceptable by default unless
+        // specifically excluded by the Accept-Encoding field stating either "identity;q=0" or
+        // "*;q=0" without a more specific entry for "identity".
+
+        let acceptable_items = self.ranked_items().collect::<Vec<_>>();
+
+        let identity_acceptable = is_identity_acceptable(&acceptable_items);
+        let identity_supported = supported_set.contains(&Encoding::identity());
+
+        if identity_acceptable && identity_supported && supported_set.len() == 1 {
+            return Some(Encoding::identity());
+        }
+
+        // 3. If the representation's content-coding is one of the content-codings listed in the
+        // Accept-Encoding field, then it is acceptable unless it is accompanied by a qvalue of 0.
+
+        // 4. If multiple content-codings are acceptable, then the acceptable content-coding with
+        // the highest non-zero qvalue is preferred.
+
+        let matched = acceptable_items
+            .into_iter()
+            .filter(|q| q.quality > Quality::ZERO)
+            // search relies on item list being in descending order of quality
+            .find(|q| {
+                let enc = &q.item;
+                matches!(enc, Preference::Specific(enc) if supported_set.contains(enc))
+            })
+            .map(|q| q.item);
+
+        match matched {
+            Some(Preference::Specific(enc)) => Some(enc),
+
+            _ if identity_acceptable => Some(Encoding::identity()),
+
+            _ => None,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Extracts the most preferable encoding, accounting for [q-factor weighting].
+    ///
+    /// If no q-factors are provided, the first encoding is chosen. Note that items without
+    /// q-factors are given the maximum preference value.
+    ///
+    /// As per the spec, returns [`Preference::Any`] if acceptable list is empty. Though, if this is
+    /// returned, it is recommended to use an un-encoded representation.
+    ///
+    /// If `None` is returned, it means that the client has signalled that no representations
+    /// are acceptable. This should never occur for a well behaved user-agent.
+    ///
+    /// [q-factor weighting]: https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc7231#section-5.3.2
+    pub fn preference(&self) -> Option<Preference<Encoding>> {
+        // empty header indicates no preference
+        if self.0.is_empty() {
+            return Some(Preference::Any);
+        }
+
+        let mut max_item = None;
+        let mut max_pref = Quality::ZERO;
+
+        // uses manual max lookup loop since we want the first occurrence in the case of same
+        // preference but `Iterator::max_by_key` would give us the last occurrence
+
+        for pref in &self.0 {
+            // only change if strictly greater
+            // equal items, even while unsorted, still have higher preference if they appear first
+            if pref.quality > max_pref {
+                max_pref = pref.quality;
+                max_item = Some(pref.item.clone());
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Return max_item if any items were above 0 quality...
+        max_item.or_else(|| {
+            // ...or else check for "*" or "identity". We can elide quality checks since
+            // entering this block means all items had "q=0".
+            match self.0.iter().find(|pref| {
+                matches!(
+                    pref.item,
+                    Preference::Any
+                        | Preference::Specific(Encoding::Known(ContentEncoding::Identity))
+                )
+            }) {
+                // "identity" or "*" found so no representation is acceptable
+                Some(_) => None,
+
+                // implicit "identity" is acceptable
+                None => Some(Preference::Specific(Encoding::identity())),
+            }
+        })
+    }
+
+    /// Returns a sorted list of encodings from highest to lowest precedence, accounting
+    /// for [q-factor weighting].
+    ///
+    /// [q-factor weighting]: https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc7231#section-5.3.2
+    pub fn ranked(&self) -> Vec<Preference<Encoding>> {
+        self.ranked_items().map(|q| q.item).collect()
+    }
+
+    fn ranked_items(&self) -> impl Iterator<Item = QualityItem<Preference<Encoding>>> {
+        if self.0.is_empty() {
+            return vec![].into_iter();
+        }
+
+        let mut types = self.0.clone();
+
+        // use stable sort so items with equal q-factor retain listed order
+        types.sort_by(|a, b| {
+            // sort by q-factor descending
+            b.quality.cmp(&a.quality)
+        });
+
+        types.into_iter()
+    }
+}
+
+/// Returns true if "identity" is an acceptable encoding.
+///
+/// Internal algorithm relies on item list being in descending order of quality.
+fn is_identity_acceptable(items: &'_ [QualityItem<Preference<Encoding>>]) -> bool {
+    if items.is_empty() {
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    // Loop algorithm depends on items being sorted in descending order of quality. As such, it
+    // is sufficient to return (q > 0) when reaching either an "identity" or "*" item.
+    for q in items {
+        match (q.quality, &q.item) {
+            // occurrence of "identity;q=n"; return true if quality is non-zero
+            (q, Preference::Specific(Encoding::Known(ContentEncoding::Identity))) => {
+                return q > Quality::ZERO
+            }
+
+            // occurrence of "*;q=n"; return true if quality is non-zero
+            (q, Preference::Any) => return q > Quality::ZERO,
+
+            _ => {}
+        }
+    }
+
+    // implicit acceptable identity
+    true
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::http::header::*;
+
+    macro_rules! accept_encoding {
+        () => { AcceptEncoding(vec![]) };
+        ($($q:expr),+ $(,)?) => { AcceptEncoding(vec![$($q.parse().unwrap()),+]) };
+    }
+
+    /// Parses an encoding string.
+    fn enc(enc: &str) -> Preference<Encoding> {
+        enc.parse().unwrap()
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn detect_identity_acceptable() {
+        macro_rules! accept_encoding_ranked {
+            () => { accept_encoding!().ranked_items().collect::<Vec<_>>() };
+            ($($q:expr),+ $(,)?) => { accept_encoding!($($q),+).ranked_items().collect::<Vec<_>>() };
+        }
+
+        let test = accept_encoding_ranked!();
+        assert!(is_identity_acceptable(&test));
+        let test = accept_encoding_ranked!("gzip");
+        assert!(is_identity_acceptable(&test));
+        let test = accept_encoding_ranked!("gzip", "br");
+        assert!(is_identity_acceptable(&test));
+        let test = accept_encoding_ranked!("gzip", "*;q=0.1");
+        assert!(is_identity_acceptable(&test));
+        let test = accept_encoding_ranked!("gzip", "identity;q=0.1");
+        assert!(is_identity_acceptable(&test));
+        let test = accept_encoding_ranked!("gzip", "identity;q=0.1", "*;q=0");
+        assert!(is_identity_acceptable(&test));
+        let test = accept_encoding_ranked!("gzip", "*;q=0", "identity;q=0.1");
+        assert!(is_identity_acceptable(&test));
+
+        let test = accept_encoding_ranked!("gzip", "*;q=0");
+        assert!(!is_identity_acceptable(&test));
+        let test = accept_encoding_ranked!("gzip", "identity;q=0");
+        assert!(!is_identity_acceptable(&test));
+        let test = accept_encoding_ranked!("gzip", "identity;q=0", "*;q=0");
+        assert!(!is_identity_acceptable(&test));
+        let test = accept_encoding_ranked!("gzip", "*;q=0", "identity;q=0");
+        assert!(!is_identity_acceptable(&test));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn encoding_negotiation() {
+        // no preference
+        let test = accept_encoding!();
+        assert_eq!(test.negotiate([].iter()), None);
+
+        let test = accept_encoding!();
+        assert_eq!(
+            test.negotiate([Encoding::identity()].iter()),
+            Some(Encoding::identity()),
+        );
+
+        let test = accept_encoding!("identity;q=0");
+        assert_eq!(test.negotiate([Encoding::identity()].iter()), None);
+
+        let test = accept_encoding!("*;q=0");
+        assert_eq!(test.negotiate([Encoding::identity()].iter()), None);
+
+        let test = accept_encoding!();
+        assert_eq!(
+            test.negotiate([Encoding::gzip(), Encoding::identity()].iter()),
+            Some(Encoding::identity()),
+        );
+
+        let test = accept_encoding!("gzip");
+        assert_eq!(
+            test.negotiate([Encoding::gzip(), Encoding::identity()].iter()),
+            Some(Encoding::gzip()),
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            test.negotiate([Encoding::brotli(), Encoding::identity()].iter()),
+            Some(Encoding::identity()),
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            test.negotiate([Encoding::brotli(), Encoding::gzip(), Encoding::identity()].iter()),
+            Some(Encoding::gzip()),
+        );
+
+        let test = accept_encoding!("gzip", "identity;q=0");
+        assert_eq!(
+            test.negotiate([Encoding::gzip(), Encoding::identity()].iter()),
+            Some(Encoding::gzip()),
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            test.negotiate([Encoding::brotli(), Encoding::identity()].iter()),
+            None
+        );
+
+        let test = accept_encoding!("gzip", "*;q=0");
+        assert_eq!(
+            test.negotiate([Encoding::gzip(), Encoding::identity()].iter()),
+            Some(Encoding::gzip()),
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            test.negotiate([Encoding::brotli(), Encoding::identity()].iter()),
+            None
+        );
+
+        let test = accept_encoding!("gzip", "deflate", "br");
+        assert_eq!(
+            test.negotiate([Encoding::gzip(), Encoding::identity()].iter()),
+            Some(Encoding::gzip()),
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            test.negotiate([Encoding::brotli(), Encoding::identity()].iter()),
+            Some(Encoding::brotli())
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            test.negotiate([Encoding::deflate(), Encoding::identity()].iter()),
+            Some(Encoding::deflate())
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            test.negotiate(
+                [Encoding::gzip(), Encoding::deflate(), Encoding::identity()].iter()
+            ),
+            Some(Encoding::gzip())
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            test.negotiate([Encoding::gzip(), Encoding::brotli(), Encoding::identity()].iter()),
+            Some(Encoding::gzip())
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            test.negotiate([Encoding::brotli(), Encoding::gzip(), Encoding::identity()].iter()),
+            Some(Encoding::gzip())
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn ranking_precedence() {
+        let test = accept_encoding!();
+        assert!(test.ranked().is_empty());
+
+        let test = accept_encoding!("gzip");
+        assert_eq!(test.ranked(), vec![enc("gzip")]);
+
+        let test = accept_encoding!("gzip;q=0.900", "*;q=0.700", "br;q=1.0");
+        assert_eq!(test.ranked(), vec![enc("br"), enc("gzip"), enc("*")]);
+
+        let test = accept_encoding!("br", "gzip", "*");
+        assert_eq!(test.ranked(), vec![enc("br"), enc("gzip"), enc("*")]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn preference_selection() {
+        assert_eq!(accept_encoding!().preference(), Some(Preference::Any));
+
+        assert_eq!(accept_encoding!("identity;q=0").preference(), None);
+        assert_eq!(accept_encoding!("*;q=0").preference(), None);
+        assert_eq!(accept_encoding!("compress;q=0", "*;q=0").preference(), None);
+        assert_eq!(accept_encoding!("identity;q=0", "*;q=0").preference(), None);
+
+        let test = accept_encoding!("*;q=0.5");
+        assert_eq!(test.preference().unwrap(), enc("*"));
+
+        let test = accept_encoding!("br;q=0");
+        assert_eq!(test.preference().unwrap(), enc("identity"));
+
+        let test = accept_encoding!("br;q=0.900", "gzip;q=1.0", "*;q=0.500");
+        assert_eq!(test.preference().unwrap(), enc("gzip"));
+
+        let test = accept_encoding!("br", "gzip", "*");
+        assert_eq!(test.preference().unwrap(), enc("br"));
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/http/header/accept_language.rs b/src/http/header/accept_language.rs
index 011257b87..9943e121f 100644
--- a/src/http/header/accept_language.rs
+++ b/src/http/header/accept_language.rs
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ common_header! {
     /// let mut builder = HttpResponse::Ok();
     /// builder.insert_header(
     ///     AcceptLanguage(vec![
-    ///         QualityItem::max("en-US".parse().unwrap())
+    ///         "en-US".parse().unwrap(),
     ///     ])
     /// );
     /// ```
@@ -49,9 +49,9 @@ common_header! {
     /// let mut builder = HttpResponse::Ok();
     /// builder.insert_header(
     ///     AcceptLanguage(vec![
-    ///         QualityItem::max("da".parse().unwrap()),
-    ///         QualityItem::new("en-GB".parse().unwrap(), q(0.8)),
-    ///         QualityItem::new("en".parse().unwrap(), q(0.7)),
+    ///         "da".parse().unwrap(),
+    ///         "en-GB;q=0.8".parse().unwrap(),
+    ///         "en;q=0.7".parse().unwrap(),
     ///     ])
     /// );
     /// ```
@@ -93,6 +93,33 @@ common_header! {
 }
 
 impl AcceptLanguage {
+    /// Extracts the most preferable language, accounting for [q-factor weighting].
+    ///
+    /// If no q-factors are provided, the first language is chosen. Note that items without
+    /// q-factors are given the maximum preference value.
+    ///
+    /// As per the spec, returns [`Preference::Any`] if contained list is empty.
+    ///
+    /// [q-factor weighting]: https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc7231#section-5.3.2
+    pub fn preference(&self) -> Preference<LanguageTag> {
+        let mut max_item = None;
+        let mut max_pref = Quality::ZERO;
+
+        // uses manual max lookup loop since we want the first occurrence in the case of same
+        // preference but `Iterator::max_by_key` would give us the last occurrence
+
+        for pref in &self.0 {
+            // only change if strictly greater
+            // equal items, even while unsorted, still have higher preference if they appear first
+            if pref.quality > max_pref {
+                max_pref = pref.quality;
+                max_item = Some(pref.item.clone());
+            }
+        }
+
+        max_item.unwrap_or(Preference::Any)
+    }
+
     /// Returns a sorted list of languages from highest to lowest precedence, accounting
     /// for [q-factor weighting].
     ///
@@ -112,33 +139,6 @@ impl AcceptLanguage {
 
         types.into_iter().map(|qitem| qitem.item).collect()
     }
-
-    /// Extracts the most preferable language, accounting for [q-factor weighting].
-    ///
-    /// If no q-factors are provided, the first language is chosen. Note that items without
-    /// q-factors are given the maximum preference value.
-    ///
-    /// As per the spec, returns [`Preference::Any`] if contained list is empty.
-    ///
-    /// [q-factor weighting]: https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc7231#section-5.3.2
-    pub fn preference(&self) -> Preference<LanguageTag> {
-        let mut max_item = None;
-        let mut max_pref = Quality::MIN;
-
-        // uses manual max lookup loop since we want the first occurrence in the case of same
-        // preference but `Iterator::max_by_key` would give us the last occurrence
-
-        for pref in &self.0 {
-            // only change if strictly greater
-            // equal items, even while unsorted, still have higher preference if they appear first
-            if pref.quality > max_pref {
-                max_pref = pref.quality;
-                max_item = Some(pref.item.clone());
-            }
-        }
-
-        max_item.unwrap_or(Preference::Any)
-    }
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(test.ranked().is_empty());
 
         let test = AcceptLanguage(vec![QualityItem::max("fr-CH".parse().unwrap())]);
-        assert_eq!(test.ranked(), vec!("fr-CH".parse().unwrap()));
+        assert_eq!(test.ranked(), vec!["fr-CH".parse().unwrap()]);
 
         let test = AcceptLanguage(vec![
             QualityItem::new("fr".parse().unwrap(), q(0.900)),
diff --git a/src/http/header/content_disposition.rs b/src/http/header/content_disposition.rs
index 26a9d8e76..8b7101aa1 100644
--- a/src/http/header/content_disposition.rs
+++ b/src/http/header/content_disposition.rs
@@ -301,7 +301,6 @@ impl DispositionParam {
 /// change to match local file system conventions if applicable, and do not use directory path
 /// information that may be present.
 /// See [RFC 2183 §2.3](https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc2183#section-2.3).
-// TODO: think about using private fields and smallvec
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq)]
 pub struct ContentDisposition {
     /// The disposition type
diff --git a/src/http/header/encoding.rs b/src/http/header/encoding.rs
index a61edda67..ab11f50be 100644
--- a/src/http/header/encoding.rs
+++ b/src/http/header/encoding.rs
@@ -1,69 +1,55 @@
 use std::{fmt, str};
 
-pub use self::Encoding::{
-    Brotli, Chunked, Compress, Deflate, EncodingExt, Gzip, Identity, Trailers, Zstd,
-};
+use actix_http::ContentEncoding;
 
-/// A value to represent an encoding used in `Transfer-Encoding` or `Accept-Encoding` header.
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
+/// A value to represent an encoding used in the `Accept-Encoding` and `Content-Encoding` header.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
 pub enum Encoding {
-    /// The `chunked` encoding.
-    Chunked,
+    /// A supported content encoding. See [`ContentEncoding`] for variants.
+    Known(ContentEncoding),
 
-    /// The `br` encoding.
-    Brotli,
+    /// Some other encoding that is less common, can be any string.
+    Unknown(String),
+}
 
-    /// The `gzip` encoding.
-    Gzip,
+impl Encoding {
+    pub const fn identity() -> Self {
+        Self::Known(ContentEncoding::Identity)
+    }
 
-    /// The `deflate` encoding.
-    Deflate,
+    pub const fn brotli() -> Self {
+        Self::Known(ContentEncoding::Brotli)
+    }
 
-    /// The `compress` encoding.
-    Compress,
+    pub const fn deflate() -> Self {
+        Self::Known(ContentEncoding::Deflate)
+    }
 
-    /// The `identity` encoding.
-    Identity,
+    pub const fn gzip() -> Self {
+        Self::Known(ContentEncoding::Gzip)
+    }
 
-    /// The `trailers` encoding.
-    Trailers,
-
-    /// The `zstd` encoding.
-    Zstd,
-
-    /// Some other encoding that is less common, can be any String.
-    EncodingExt(String),
+    pub const fn zstd() -> Self {
+        Self::Known(ContentEncoding::Zstd)
+    }
 }
 
 impl fmt::Display for Encoding {
     fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
-        f.write_str(match *self {
-            Chunked => "chunked",
-            Brotli => "br",
-            Gzip => "gzip",
-            Deflate => "deflate",
-            Compress => "compress",
-            Identity => "identity",
-            Trailers => "trailers",
-            Zstd => "zstd",
-            EncodingExt(ref s) => s.as_ref(),
+        f.write_str(match self {
+            Encoding::Known(enc) => enc.as_str(),
+            Encoding::Unknown(enc) => enc.as_str(),
         })
     }
 }
 
 impl str::FromStr for Encoding {
     type Err = crate::error::ParseError;
-    fn from_str(s: &str) -> Result<Encoding, crate::error::ParseError> {
-        match s {
-            "chunked" => Ok(Chunked),
-            "br" => Ok(Brotli),
-            "deflate" => Ok(Deflate),
-            "gzip" => Ok(Gzip),
-            "compress" => Ok(Compress),
-            "identity" => Ok(Identity),
-            "trailers" => Ok(Trailers),
-            "zstd" => Ok(Zstd),
-            _ => Ok(EncodingExt(s.to_owned())),
+
+    fn from_str(enc: &str) -> Result<Self, crate::error::ParseError> {
+        match enc.parse::<ContentEncoding>() {
+            Ok(enc) => Ok(Self::Known(enc)),
+            Err(_) => Ok(Self::Unknown(enc.to_owned())),
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/http/header/entity.rs b/src/http/header/entity.rs
index 76fe39f23..0eaa12b5d 100644
--- a/src/http/header/entity.rs
+++ b/src/http/header/entity.rs
@@ -17,8 +17,7 @@ fn check_slice_validity(slice: &str) -> bool {
     slice.bytes().all(entity_validate_char)
 }
 
-/// An entity tag, defined
-/// in [RFC 7232 §2.3](https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc7232#section-2.3)
+/// An entity tag, defined in [RFC 7232 §2.3].
 ///
 /// An entity tag consists of a string enclosed by two literal double quotes.
 /// Preceding the first double quote is an optional weakness indicator,
@@ -48,16 +47,20 @@ fn check_slice_validity(slice: &str) -> bool {
 /// | `W/"1"` | `W/"2"` | no match          | no match        |
 /// | `W/"1"` | `"1"`   | no match          | match           |
 /// | `"1"`   | `"1"`   | match             | match           |
-#[derive(Clone, Debug, Eq, PartialEq)]
+///
+/// [RFC 7232 §2.3](https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc7232#section-2.3)
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub struct EntityTag {
     /// Weakness indicator for the tag
     pub weak: bool,
+
     /// The opaque string in between the DQUOTEs
     tag: String,
 }
 
 impl EntityTag {
-    /// Constructs a new EntityTag.
+    /// Constructs a new `EntityTag`.
+    ///
     /// # Panics
     /// If the tag contains invalid characters.
     pub fn new(weak: bool, tag: String) -> EntityTag {
@@ -66,51 +69,64 @@ impl EntityTag {
     }
 
     /// Constructs a new weak EntityTag.
+    ///
     /// # Panics
     /// If the tag contains invalid characters.
-    pub fn weak(tag: String) -> EntityTag {
+    pub fn new_weak(tag: String) -> EntityTag {
         EntityTag::new(true, tag)
     }
 
+    #[deprecated(since = "3.0.0", note = "Renamed to `new_weak`.")]
+    pub fn weak(tag: String) -> EntityTag {
+        Self::new_weak(tag)
+    }
+
     /// Constructs a new strong EntityTag.
+    ///
     /// # Panics
     /// If the tag contains invalid characters.
-    pub fn strong(tag: String) -> EntityTag {
+    pub fn new_strong(tag: String) -> EntityTag {
         EntityTag::new(false, tag)
     }
 
-    /// Get the tag.
+    #[deprecated(since = "3.0.0", note = "Renamed to `new_strong`.")]
+    pub fn strong(tag: String) -> EntityTag {
+        Self::new_strong(tag)
+    }
+
+    /// Returns tag.
     pub fn tag(&self) -> &str {
         self.tag.as_ref()
     }
 
-    /// Set the tag.
+    /// Sets tag.
+    ///
     /// # Panics
     /// If the tag contains invalid characters.
-    pub fn set_tag(&mut self, tag: String) {
+    pub fn set_tag(&mut self, tag: impl Into<String>) {
+        let tag = tag.into();
         assert!(check_slice_validity(&tag), "Invalid tag: {:?}", tag);
         self.tag = tag
     }
 
-    /// For strong comparison two entity-tags are equivalent if both are not
-    /// weak and their opaque-tags match character-by-character.
+    /// For strong comparison two entity-tags are equivalent if both are not weak and their
+    /// opaque-tags match character-by-character.
     pub fn strong_eq(&self, other: &EntityTag) -> bool {
         !self.weak && !other.weak && self.tag == other.tag
     }
 
-    /// For weak comparison two entity-tags are equivalent if their
-    /// opaque-tags match character-by-character, regardless of either or
-    /// both being tagged as "weak".
+    /// For weak comparison two entity-tags are equivalent if their opaque-tags match
+    /// character-by-character, regardless of either or both being tagged as "weak".
     pub fn weak_eq(&self, other: &EntityTag) -> bool {
         self.tag == other.tag
     }
 
-    /// The inverse of `EntityTag.strong_eq()`.
+    /// Returns the inverse of `strong_eq()`.
     pub fn strong_ne(&self, other: &EntityTag) -> bool {
         !self.strong_eq(other)
     }
 
-    /// The inverse of `EntityTag.weak_eq()`.
+    /// Returns inverse of `weak_eq()`.
     pub fn weak_ne(&self, other: &EntityTag) -> bool {
         !self.weak_eq(other)
     }
@@ -178,23 +194,23 @@ mod tests {
         // Expected success
         assert_eq!(
             "\"foobar\"".parse::<EntityTag>().unwrap(),
-            EntityTag::strong("foobar".to_owned())
+            EntityTag::new_strong("foobar".to_owned())
         );
         assert_eq!(
             "\"\"".parse::<EntityTag>().unwrap(),
-            EntityTag::strong("".to_owned())
+            EntityTag::new_strong("".to_owned())
         );
         assert_eq!(
             "W/\"weaktag\"".parse::<EntityTag>().unwrap(),
-            EntityTag::weak("weaktag".to_owned())
+            EntityTag::new_weak("weaktag".to_owned())
         );
         assert_eq!(
             "W/\"\x65\x62\"".parse::<EntityTag>().unwrap(),
-            EntityTag::weak("\x65\x62".to_owned())
+            EntityTag::new_weak("\x65\x62".to_owned())
         );
         assert_eq!(
             "W/\"\"".parse::<EntityTag>().unwrap(),
-            EntityTag::weak("".to_owned())
+            EntityTag::new_weak("".to_owned())
         );
     }
 
@@ -214,19 +230,19 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn test_etag_fmt() {
         assert_eq!(
-            format!("{}", EntityTag::strong("foobar".to_owned())),
+            format!("{}", EntityTag::new_strong("foobar".to_owned())),
             "\"foobar\""
         );
-        assert_eq!(format!("{}", EntityTag::strong("".to_owned())), "\"\"");
+        assert_eq!(format!("{}", EntityTag::new_strong("".to_owned())), "\"\"");
         assert_eq!(
-            format!("{}", EntityTag::weak("weak-etag".to_owned())),
+            format!("{}", EntityTag::new_weak("weak-etag".to_owned())),
             "W/\"weak-etag\""
         );
         assert_eq!(
-            format!("{}", EntityTag::weak("\u{0065}".to_owned())),
+            format!("{}", EntityTag::new_weak("\u{0065}".to_owned())),
             "W/\"\x65\""
         );
-        assert_eq!(format!("{}", EntityTag::weak("".to_owned())), "W/\"\"");
+        assert_eq!(format!("{}", EntityTag::new_weak("".to_owned())), "W/\"\"");
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -237,29 +253,29 @@ mod tests {
         // | `W/"1"` | `W/"2"` | no match          | no match        |
         // | `W/"1"` | `"1"`   | no match          | match           |
         // | `"1"`   | `"1"`   | match             | match           |
-        let mut etag1 = EntityTag::weak("1".to_owned());
-        let mut etag2 = EntityTag::weak("1".to_owned());
+        let mut etag1 = EntityTag::new_weak("1".to_owned());
+        let mut etag2 = EntityTag::new_weak("1".to_owned());
         assert!(!etag1.strong_eq(&etag2));
         assert!(etag1.weak_eq(&etag2));
         assert!(etag1.strong_ne(&etag2));
         assert!(!etag1.weak_ne(&etag2));
 
-        etag1 = EntityTag::weak("1".to_owned());
-        etag2 = EntityTag::weak("2".to_owned());
+        etag1 = EntityTag::new_weak("1".to_owned());
+        etag2 = EntityTag::new_weak("2".to_owned());
         assert!(!etag1.strong_eq(&etag2));
         assert!(!etag1.weak_eq(&etag2));
         assert!(etag1.strong_ne(&etag2));
         assert!(etag1.weak_ne(&etag2));
 
-        etag1 = EntityTag::weak("1".to_owned());
-        etag2 = EntityTag::strong("1".to_owned());
+        etag1 = EntityTag::new_weak("1".to_owned());
+        etag2 = EntityTag::new_strong("1".to_owned());
         assert!(!etag1.strong_eq(&etag2));
         assert!(etag1.weak_eq(&etag2));
         assert!(etag1.strong_ne(&etag2));
         assert!(!etag1.weak_ne(&etag2));
 
-        etag1 = EntityTag::strong("1".to_owned());
-        etag2 = EntityTag::strong("1".to_owned());
+        etag1 = EntityTag::new_strong("1".to_owned());
+        etag2 = EntityTag::new_strong("1".to_owned());
         assert!(etag1.strong_eq(&etag2));
         assert!(etag1.weak_eq(&etag2));
         assert!(!etag1.strong_ne(&etag2));
diff --git a/src/http/header/etag.rs b/src/http/header/etag.rs
index 4724c917e..78f5447b3 100644
--- a/src/http/header/etag.rs
+++ b/src/http/header/etag.rs
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ crate::http::header::common_header! {
     ///
     /// let mut builder = HttpResponse::Ok();
     /// builder.insert_header(
-    ///     ETag(EntityTag::new(false, "xyzzy".to_owned()))
+    ///     ETag(EntityTag::new_strong("xyzzy".to_owned()))
     /// );
     /// ```
     ///
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ crate::http::header::common_header! {
     ///
     /// let mut builder = HttpResponse::Ok();
     /// builder.insert_header(
-    ///     ETag(EntityTag::new(true, "xyzzy".to_owned()))
+    ///     ETag(EntityTag::new_weak("xyzzy".to_owned()))
     /// );
     /// ```
     (ETag, ETAG) => [EntityTag]
@@ -50,29 +50,29 @@ crate::http::header::common_header! {
         // From the RFC
         crate::http::header::common_header_test!(test1,
             vec![b"\"xyzzy\""],
-            Some(ETag(EntityTag::new(false, "xyzzy".to_owned()))));
+            Some(ETag(EntityTag::new_strong("xyzzy".to_owned()))));
         crate::http::header::common_header_test!(test2,
             vec![b"W/\"xyzzy\""],
-            Some(ETag(EntityTag::new(true, "xyzzy".to_owned()))));
+            Some(ETag(EntityTag::new_weak("xyzzy".to_owned()))));
         crate::http::header::common_header_test!(test3,
             vec![b"\"\""],
-            Some(ETag(EntityTag::new(false, "".to_owned()))));
+            Some(ETag(EntityTag::new_strong("".to_owned()))));
         // Own tests
         crate::http::header::common_header_test!(test4,
             vec![b"\"foobar\""],
-            Some(ETag(EntityTag::new(false, "foobar".to_owned()))));
+            Some(ETag(EntityTag::new_strong("foobar".to_owned()))));
         crate::http::header::common_header_test!(test5,
             vec![b"\"\""],
-            Some(ETag(EntityTag::new(false, "".to_owned()))));
+            Some(ETag(EntityTag::new_strong("".to_owned()))));
         crate::http::header::common_header_test!(test6,
             vec![b"W/\"weak-etag\""],
-            Some(ETag(EntityTag::new(true, "weak-etag".to_owned()))));
+            Some(ETag(EntityTag::new_weak("weak-etag".to_owned()))));
         crate::http::header::common_header_test!(test7,
             vec![b"W/\"\x65\x62\""],
-            Some(ETag(EntityTag::new(true, "\u{0065}\u{0062}".to_owned()))));
+            Some(ETag(EntityTag::new_weak("\u{0065}\u{0062}".to_owned()))));
         crate::http::header::common_header_test!(test8,
             vec![b"W/\"\""],
-            Some(ETag(EntityTag::new(true, "".to_owned()))));
+            Some(ETag(EntityTag::new_weak("".to_owned()))));
         crate::http::header::common_header_test!(test9,
             vec![b"no-dquotes"],
             None::<ETag>);
diff --git a/src/http/header/if_match.rs b/src/http/header/if_match.rs
index a565b9125..e299d30fe 100644
--- a/src/http/header/if_match.rs
+++ b/src/http/header/if_match.rs
@@ -54,14 +54,15 @@ common_header! {
             test1,
             vec![b"\"xyzzy\""],
             Some(HeaderField::Items(
-                vec![EntityTag::new(false, "xyzzy".to_owned())])));
+                vec![EntityTag::new_strong("xyzzy".to_owned())])));
+
         crate::http::header::common_header_test!(
             test2,
             vec![b"\"xyzzy\", \"r2d2xxxx\", \"c3piozzzz\""],
             Some(HeaderField::Items(
-                vec![EntityTag::new(false, "xyzzy".to_owned()),
-                     EntityTag::new(false, "r2d2xxxx".to_owned()),
-                     EntityTag::new(false, "c3piozzzz".to_owned())])));
+                vec![EntityTag::new_strong("xyzzy".to_owned()),
+                     EntityTag::new_strong("r2d2xxxx".to_owned()),
+                     EntityTag::new_strong("c3piozzzz".to_owned())])));
         crate::http::header::common_header_test!(test3, vec![b"*"], Some(IfMatch::Any));
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/http/header/if_none_match.rs b/src/http/header/if_none_match.rs
index fb1895fc8..863be70cf 100644
--- a/src/http/header/if_none_match.rs
+++ b/src/http/header/if_none_match.rs
@@ -82,8 +82,8 @@ mod tests {
 
         if_none_match = Header::parse(&req);
         let mut entities: Vec<EntityTag> = Vec::new();
-        let foobar_etag = EntityTag::new(false, "foobar".to_owned());
-        let weak_etag = EntityTag::new(true, "weak-etag".to_owned());
+        let foobar_etag = EntityTag::new_strong("foobar".to_owned());
+        let weak_etag = EntityTag::new_weak("weak-etag".to_owned());
         entities.push(foobar_etag);
         entities.push(weak_etag);
         assert_eq!(if_none_match.ok(), Some(IfNoneMatch::Items(entities)));
diff --git a/src/http/mod.rs b/src/http/mod.rs
index bbd94a60f..2581532cd 100644
--- a/src/http/mod.rs
+++ b/src/http/mod.rs
@@ -2,4 +2,5 @@
 
 pub mod header;
 
+// TODO: figure out how best to expose http::Error vs actix_http::Error
 pub use actix_http::{uri, ConnectionType, Error, Method, StatusCode, Uri, Version};
diff --git a/src/info.rs b/src/info.rs
index 71194b24d..ce1ef97c6 100644
--- a/src/info.rs
+++ b/src/info.rs
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ fn first_header_value<'a>(req: &'a RequestHead, name: &'_ HeaderName) -> Option<
 pub struct ConnectionInfo {
     host: String,
     scheme: String,
-    remote_addr: Option<String>,
+    peer_addr: Option<String>,
     realip_remote_addr: Option<String>,
 }
 
@@ -134,67 +134,70 @@ impl ConnectionInfo {
             .or_else(|| first_header_value(req, &*X_FORWARDED_FOR))
             .map(str::to_owned);
 
-        let remote_addr = req.peer_addr.map(|addr| addr.to_string());
+        let peer_addr = req.peer_addr.map(|addr| addr.ip().to_string());
 
         ConnectionInfo {
             host,
             scheme,
-            remote_addr,
+            peer_addr,
             realip_remote_addr,
         }
     }
 
+    /// Real IP (remote address) of client that initiated request.
+    ///
+    /// The address is resolved through the following, in order:
+    /// - `Forwarded` header
+    /// - `X-Forwarded-For` header
+    /// - peer address of opened socket (same as [`remote_addr`](Self::remote_addr))
+    ///
+    /// # Security
+    /// Do not use this function for security purposes unless you can be sure that the `Forwarded`
+    /// and `X-Forwarded-For` headers cannot be spoofed by the client. If you are running without a
+    /// proxy then [obtaining the peer address](Self::peer_addr) would be more appropriate.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn realip_remote_addr(&self) -> Option<&str> {
+        self.realip_remote_addr
+            .as_deref()
+            .or_else(|| self.peer_addr.as_deref())
+    }
+
+    /// Returns serialized IP address of the peer connection.
+    ///
+    /// See [`HttpRequest::peer_addr`] for more details.
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn peer_addr(&self) -> Option<&str> {
+        self.peer_addr.as_deref()
+    }
+
+    /// Hostname of the request.
+    ///
+    /// Hostname is resolved through the following, in order:
+    /// - `Forwarded` header
+    /// - `X-Forwarded-Host` header
+    /// - `Host` header
+    /// - request target / URI
+    /// - configured server hostname
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn host(&self) -> &str {
+        &self.host
+    }
+
     /// Scheme of the request.
     ///
-    /// Scheme is resolved through the following headers, in this order:
-    ///
-    /// - Forwarded
-    /// - X-Forwarded-Proto
-    /// - Uri
+    /// Scheme is resolved through the following, in order:
+    /// - `Forwarded` header
+    /// - `X-Forwarded-Proto` header
+    /// - request target / URI
     #[inline]
     pub fn scheme(&self) -> &str {
         &self.scheme
     }
 
-    /// Hostname of the request.
-    ///
-    /// Hostname is resolved through the following headers, in this order:
-    ///
-    /// - Forwarded
-    /// - X-Forwarded-Host
-    /// - Host
-    /// - Uri
-    /// - Server hostname
-    pub fn host(&self) -> &str {
-        &self.host
-    }
-
-    /// Remote address of the connection.
-    ///
-    /// Get remote_addr address from socket address.
+    #[doc(hidden)]
+    #[deprecated(since = "4.0.0", note = "Renamed to `peer_addr`.")]
     pub fn remote_addr(&self) -> Option<&str> {
-        self.remote_addr.as_deref()
-    }
-
-    /// Real IP (remote address) of client that initiated request.
-    ///
-    /// The address is resolved through the following headers, in this order:
-    ///
-    /// - Forwarded
-    /// - X-Forwarded-For
-    /// - remote_addr name of opened socket
-    ///
-    /// # Security
-    /// Do not use this function for security purposes, unless you can ensure the Forwarded and
-    /// X-Forwarded-For headers cannot be spoofed by the client. If you want the client's socket
-    /// address explicitly, use [`HttpRequest::peer_addr()`][peer_addr] instead.
-    ///
-    /// [peer_addr]: crate::web::HttpRequest::peer_addr()
-    #[inline]
-    pub fn realip_remote_addr(&self) -> Option<&str> {
-        self.realip_remote_addr
-            .as_deref()
-            .or_else(|| self.remote_addr.as_deref())
+        self.peer_addr()
     }
 }
 
@@ -209,7 +212,7 @@ impl FromRequest for ConnectionInfo {
 
 /// Extractor for peer's socket address.
 ///
-/// Also see [`HttpRequest::peer_addr`].
+/// Also see [`HttpRequest::peer_addr`] and [`ConnectionInfo::peer_addr`].
 ///
 /// # Examples
 /// ```
@@ -432,13 +435,37 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[actix_rt::test]
     async fn peer_addr_extract() {
+        let req = TestRequest::default().to_http_request();
+        let res = PeerAddr::extract(&req).await;
+        assert!(res.is_err());
+
         let addr = "127.0.0.1:8080".parse().unwrap();
         let req = TestRequest::default().peer_addr(addr).to_http_request();
         let peer_addr = PeerAddr::extract(&req).await.unwrap();
         assert_eq!(peer_addr, PeerAddr(addr));
+    }
 
+    #[actix_rt::test]
+    async fn remote_address() {
         let req = TestRequest::default().to_http_request();
-        let res = PeerAddr::extract(&req).await;
-        assert!(res.is_err());
+        let res = ConnectionInfo::extract(&req).await.unwrap();
+        assert!(res.peer_addr().is_none());
+
+        let addr = "127.0.0.1:8080".parse().unwrap();
+        let req = TestRequest::default().peer_addr(addr).to_http_request();
+        let conn_info = ConnectionInfo::extract(&req).await.unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(conn_info.peer_addr().unwrap(), "127.0.0.1");
+    }
+
+    #[actix_rt::test]
+    async fn real_ip_from_socket_addr() {
+        let req = TestRequest::default().to_http_request();
+        let res = ConnectionInfo::extract(&req).await.unwrap();
+        assert!(res.realip_remote_addr().is_none());
+
+        let addr = "127.0.0.1:8080".parse().unwrap();
+        let req = TestRequest::default().peer_addr(addr).to_http_request();
+        let conn_info = ConnectionInfo::extract(&req).await.unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(conn_info.realip_remote_addr().unwrap(), "127.0.0.1");
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index 171a2d101..18f0d581d 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@
 //! * SSL support using OpenSSL or Rustls
 //! * Middlewares ([Logger, Session, CORS, etc](https://actix.rs/docs/middleware/))
 //! * Includes an async [HTTP client](https://docs.rs/awc/)
-//! * Runs on stable Rust 1.52+
+//! * Runs on stable Rust 1.54+
 //!
 //! # Crate Features
 //! * `cookies` - cookies support (enabled by default)
@@ -66,7 +66,6 @@
 
 #![deny(rust_2018_idioms, nonstandard_style)]
 #![warn(future_incompatible)]
-#![allow(clippy::needless_doctest_main, clippy::type_complexity)]
 #![doc(html_logo_url = "https://actix.rs/img/logo.png")]
 #![doc(html_favicon_url = "https://actix.rs/favicon.ico")]
 
@@ -106,6 +105,7 @@ pub use cookie;
 pub use crate::app::App;
 pub use crate::error::{Error, ResponseError, Result};
 pub use crate::extract::FromRequest;
+pub use crate::handler::Handler;
 pub use crate::request::HttpRequest;
 pub use crate::resource::Resource;
 pub use crate::response::{CustomizeResponder, HttpResponse, HttpResponseBuilder, Responder};
diff --git a/src/middleware/compat.rs b/src/middleware/compat.rs
index d49c461c4..ee8b8a498 100644
--- a/src/middleware/compat.rs
+++ b/src/middleware/compat.rs
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ use crate::{
 };
 
 /// Middleware for enabling any middleware to be used in [`Resource::wrap`](crate::Resource::wrap),
-/// [`Scope::wrap`](crate::Scope::wrap) and [`Condition`](super::Condition).
+/// and [`Condition`](super::Condition).
 ///
 /// # Examples
 /// ```
@@ -38,6 +38,15 @@ pub struct Compat<T> {
     transform: T,
 }
 
+#[cfg(test)]
+impl Compat<super::Noop> {
+    pub(crate) fn noop() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            transform: super::Noop,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 impl<T> Compat<T> {
     /// Wrap a middleware to give it broader compatibility.
     pub fn new(middleware: T) -> Self {
@@ -141,11 +150,13 @@ mod tests {
 
     use actix_service::IntoService;
 
-    use crate::dev::ServiceRequest;
-    use crate::http::StatusCode;
-    use crate::middleware::{self, Condition, Logger};
-    use crate::test::{call_service, init_service, TestRequest};
-    use crate::{web, App, HttpResponse};
+    use crate::{
+        dev::ServiceRequest,
+        http::StatusCode,
+        middleware::{self, Condition, Logger},
+        test::{self, call_service, init_service, TestRequest},
+        web, App, HttpResponse,
+    };
 
     #[actix_rt::test]
     #[cfg(all(feature = "cookies", feature = "__compress"))]
@@ -210,4 +221,17 @@ mod tests {
         let resp = call_service(&mw, TestRequest::default().to_srv_request()).await;
         assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR);
     }
+
+    #[actix_rt::test]
+    async fn compat_noop_is_noop() {
+        let srv = test::ok_service();
+
+        let mw = Compat::noop()
+            .new_transform(srv.into_service())
+            .await
+            .unwrap();
+
+        let resp = call_service(&mw, TestRequest::default().to_srv_request()).await;
+        assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/middleware/compress.rs b/src/middleware/compress.rs
index af4a107e3..16af4c2cd 100644
--- a/src/middleware/compress.rs
+++ b/src/middleware/compress.rs
@@ -1,20 +1,13 @@
 //! For middleware documentation, see [`Compress`].
 
 use std::{
-    cmp,
-    convert::TryFrom as _,
     future::Future,
     marker::PhantomData,
     pin::Pin,
     task::{Context, Poll},
 };
 
-use actix_http::{
-    body::{EitherBody, MessageBody},
-    encoding::Encoder,
-    header::{ContentEncoding, ACCEPT_ENCODING},
-    StatusCode,
-};
+use actix_http::encoding::Encoder;
 use actix_service::{Service, Transform};
 use actix_utils::future::{ok, Either, Ready};
 use futures_core::ready;
@@ -22,39 +15,65 @@ use once_cell::sync::Lazy;
 use pin_project_lite::pin_project;
 
 use crate::{
-    dev::BodyEncoding,
+    body::{EitherBody, MessageBody},
+    http::{
+        header::{self, AcceptEncoding, Encoding, HeaderValue},
+        StatusCode,
+    },
     service::{ServiceRequest, ServiceResponse},
-    Error, HttpResponse,
+    Error, HttpMessage, HttpResponse,
 };
 
 /// Middleware for compressing response payloads.
 ///
-/// Use `BodyEncoding` trait for overriding response compression. To disable compression set
-/// encoding to `ContentEncoding::Identity`.
+/// # Encoding Negotiation
+/// `Compress` will read the `Accept-Encoding` header to negotiate which compression codec to use.
+/// Payloads are not compressed if the header is not sent. The `compress-*` [feature flags] are also
+/// considered in this selection process.
+///
+/// # Pre-compressed Payload
+/// If you are serving some data is already using a compressed representation (e.g., a gzip
+/// compressed HTML file from disk) you can signal this to `Compress` by setting an appropriate
+/// `Content-Encoding` header. In addition to preventing double compressing the payload, this header
+/// is required by the spec when using compressed representations and will inform the client that
+/// the content should be uncompressed.
+///
+/// However, it is not advised to unconditionally serve encoded representations of content because
+/// the client may not support it. The [`AcceptEncoding`] typed header has some utilities to help
+/// perform manual encoding negotiation, if required. When negotiating content encoding, it is also
+/// required by the spec to send a `Vary: Accept-Encoding` header.
+///
+/// A (naïve) example serving an pre-compressed Gzip file is included below.
 ///
 /// # Examples
+/// To enable automatic payload compression just include `Compress` as a top-level middleware:
 /// ```
-/// use actix_web::{web, middleware, App, HttpResponse};
+/// use actix_web::{middleware, web, App, HttpResponse};
 ///
 /// let app = App::new()
 ///     .wrap(middleware::Compress::default())
-///     .default_service(web::to(|| HttpResponse::NotFound()));
+///     .default_service(web::to(|| HttpResponse::Ok().body("hello world")));
 /// ```
-#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
-pub struct Compress(ContentEncoding);
-
-impl Compress {
-    /// Create new `Compress` middleware with the specified encoding.
-    pub fn new(encoding: ContentEncoding) -> Self {
-        Compress(encoding)
-    }
-}
-
-impl Default for Compress {
-    fn default() -> Self {
-        Compress::new(ContentEncoding::Auto)
-    }
-}
+///
+/// Pre-compressed Gzip file being served from disk with correct headers added to bypass middleware:
+/// ```no_run
+/// use actix_web::{middleware, http::header, web, App, HttpResponse, Responder};
+///
+/// async fn index_handler() -> actix_web::Result<impl Responder> {
+///     Ok(actix_files::NamedFile::open_async("./assets/index.html.gz").await?
+///         .customize()
+///         .insert_header(header::ContentEncoding::Gzip))
+/// }
+///
+/// let app = App::new()
+///     .wrap(middleware::Compress::default())
+///     .default_service(web::to(index_handler));
+/// ```
+///
+/// [feature flags]: ../index.html#crate-features
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Default)]
+#[non_exhaustive]
+pub struct Compress;
 
 impl<S, B> Transform<S, ServiceRequest> for Compress
 where
@@ -68,44 +87,14 @@ where
     type Future = Ready<Result<Self::Transform, Self::InitError>>;
 
     fn new_transform(&self, service: S) -> Self::Future {
-        ok(CompressMiddleware {
-            service,
-            encoding: self.0,
-        })
+        ok(CompressMiddleware { service })
     }
 }
 
 pub struct CompressMiddleware<S> {
     service: S,
-    encoding: ContentEncoding,
 }
 
-static SUPPORTED_ALGORITHM_NAMES: Lazy<String> = Lazy::new(|| {
-    #[allow(unused_mut)] // only unused when no compress features enabled
-    let mut encoding: Vec<&str> = vec![];
-
-    #[cfg(feature = "compress-brotli")]
-    {
-        encoding.push("br");
-    }
-
-    #[cfg(feature = "compress-gzip")]
-    {
-        encoding.push("gzip");
-        encoding.push("deflate");
-    }
-
-    #[cfg(feature = "compress-zstd")]
-    encoding.push("zstd");
-
-    assert!(
-        !encoding.is_empty(),
-        "encoding can not be empty unless __compress feature has been explicitly enabled by itself"
-    );
-
-    encoding.join(", ")
-});
-
 impl<S, B> Service<ServiceRequest> for CompressMiddleware<S>
 where
     S: Service<ServiceRequest, Response = ServiceResponse<B>, Error = Error>,
@@ -113,6 +102,7 @@ where
 {
     type Response = ServiceResponse<EitherBody<Encoder<B>>>;
     type Error = Error;
+    #[allow(clippy::type_complexity)]
     type Future = Either<CompressResponse<S, B>, Ready<Result<Self::Response, Self::Error>>>;
 
     actix_service::forward_ready!(service);
@@ -120,39 +110,43 @@ where
     #[allow(clippy::borrow_interior_mutable_const)]
     fn call(&self, req: ServiceRequest) -> Self::Future {
         // negotiate content-encoding
-        let encoding_result = req
-            .headers()
-            .get(&ACCEPT_ENCODING)
-            .and_then(|val| val.to_str().ok())
-            .map(|enc| AcceptEncoding::try_parse(enc, self.encoding));
+        let accept_encoding = req.get_header::<AcceptEncoding>();
 
-        match encoding_result {
-            // Missing header => fallback to identity
-            None => Either::left(CompressResponse {
-                encoding: ContentEncoding::Identity,
-                fut: self.service.call(req),
-                _phantom: PhantomData,
-            }),
+        let accept_encoding = match accept_encoding {
+            // missing header; fallback to identity
+            None => {
+                return Either::left(CompressResponse {
+                    encoding: Encoding::identity(),
+                    fut: self.service.call(req),
+                    _phantom: PhantomData,
+                })
+            }
 
-            // Valid encoding
-            Some(Ok(encoding)) => Either::left(CompressResponse {
-                encoding,
-                fut: self.service.call(req),
-                _phantom: PhantomData,
-            }),
+            // valid accept-encoding header
+            Some(accept_encoding) => accept_encoding,
+        };
 
-            // There is an HTTP header but we cannot match what client as asked for
-            Some(Err(_)) => {
-                let res = HttpResponse::with_body(
+        match accept_encoding.negotiate(SUPPORTED_ENCODINGS.iter()) {
+            None => {
+                let mut res = HttpResponse::with_body(
                     StatusCode::NOT_ACCEPTABLE,
-                    SUPPORTED_ALGORITHM_NAMES.clone(),
+                    SUPPORTED_ENCODINGS_STRING.as_str(),
                 );
 
+                res.headers_mut()
+                    .insert(header::VARY, HeaderValue::from_static("Accept-Encoding"));
+
                 Either::right(ok(req
                     .into_response(res)
                     .map_into_boxed_body()
                     .map_into_right_body()))
             }
+
+            Some(encoding) => Either::left(CompressResponse {
+                fut: self.service.call(req),
+                encoding,
+                _phantom: PhantomData,
+            }),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -164,7 +158,7 @@ pin_project! {
     {
         #[pin]
         fut: S::Future,
-        encoding: ContentEncoding,
+        encoding: Encoding,
         _phantom: PhantomData<B>,
     }
 }
@@ -181,10 +175,11 @@ where
 
         match ready!(this.fut.poll(cx)) {
             Ok(resp) => {
-                let enc = if let Some(enc) = resp.response().get_encoding() {
-                    enc
-                } else {
-                    *this.encoding
+                let enc = match this.encoding {
+                    Encoding::Known(enc) => *enc,
+                    Encoding::Unknown(enc) => {
+                        unimplemented!("encoding {} should not be here", enc);
+                    }
                 };
 
                 Poll::Ready(Ok(resp.map_body(move |head, body| {
@@ -197,178 +192,117 @@ where
     }
 }
 
-struct AcceptEncoding {
-    encoding: ContentEncoding,
-    // TODO: use Quality or QualityItem<ContentEncoding>
-    quality: f64,
-}
+static SUPPORTED_ENCODINGS_STRING: Lazy<String> = Lazy::new(|| {
+    #[allow(unused_mut)] // only unused when no compress features enabled
+    let mut encoding: Vec<&str> = vec![];
 
-impl Eq for AcceptEncoding {}
-
-impl Ord for AcceptEncoding {
-    #[allow(clippy::comparison_chain)]
-    fn cmp(&self, other: &AcceptEncoding) -> cmp::Ordering {
-        if self.quality > other.quality {
-            cmp::Ordering::Less
-        } else if self.quality < other.quality {
-            cmp::Ordering::Greater
-        } else {
-            cmp::Ordering::Equal
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-impl PartialOrd for AcceptEncoding {
-    fn partial_cmp(&self, other: &AcceptEncoding) -> Option<cmp::Ordering> {
-        Some(self.cmp(other))
-    }
-}
-
-impl PartialEq for AcceptEncoding {
-    fn eq(&self, other: &AcceptEncoding) -> bool {
-        self.encoding == other.encoding && self.quality == other.quality
-    }
-}
-
-/// Parse q-factor from quality strings.
-///
-/// If parse fail, then fallback to default value which is 1.
-/// More details available here: <https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/Quality_values>
-fn parse_quality(parts: &[&str]) -> f64 {
-    for part in parts {
-        if part.trim().starts_with("q=") {
-            return part[2..].parse().unwrap_or(1.0);
-        }
+    #[cfg(feature = "compress-brotli")]
+    {
+        encoding.push("br");
     }
 
-    1.0
-}
-
-#[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
-enum AcceptEncodingError {
-    /// This error occurs when client only support compressed response and server do not have any
-    /// algorithm that match client accepted algorithms.
-    CompressionAlgorithmMismatch,
-}
-
-impl AcceptEncoding {
-    fn new(tag: &str) -> Option<AcceptEncoding> {
-        let parts: Vec<&str> = tag.split(';').collect();
-        let encoding = match parts.len() {
-            0 => return None,
-            _ => match ContentEncoding::try_from(parts[0]) {
-                Err(_) => return None,
-                Ok(x) => x,
-            },
-        };
-
-        let quality = parse_quality(&parts[1..]);
-        if quality <= 0.0 || quality > 1.0 {
-            return None;
-        }
-
-        Some(AcceptEncoding { encoding, quality })
+    #[cfg(feature = "compress-gzip")]
+    {
+        encoding.push("gzip");
+        encoding.push("deflate");
     }
 
-    /// Parse a raw Accept-Encoding header value into an ordered list then return the best match
-    /// based on middleware configuration.
-    pub fn try_parse(
-        raw: &str,
-        encoding: ContentEncoding,
-    ) -> Result<ContentEncoding, AcceptEncodingError> {
-        let mut encodings = raw
-            .replace(' ', "")
-            .split(',')
-            .filter_map(AcceptEncoding::new)
-            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
-
-        encodings.sort();
-
-        for enc in encodings {
-            if encoding == ContentEncoding::Auto || encoding == enc.encoding {
-                return Ok(enc.encoding);
-            }
-        }
-
-        // Special case if user cannot accept uncompressed data.
-        // See: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Headers/Accept-Encoding
-        // TODO: account for whitespace
-        if raw.contains("*;q=0") || raw.contains("identity;q=0") {
-            return Err(AcceptEncodingError::CompressionAlgorithmMismatch);
-        }
-
-        Ok(ContentEncoding::Identity)
+    #[cfg(feature = "compress-zstd")]
+    {
+        encoding.push("zstd");
     }
-}
 
+    assert!(
+        !encoding.is_empty(),
+        "encoding can not be empty unless __compress feature has been explicitly enabled by itself"
+    );
+
+    encoding.join(", ")
+});
+
+static SUPPORTED_ENCODINGS: Lazy<Vec<Encoding>> = Lazy::new(|| {
+    let mut encodings = vec![Encoding::identity()];
+
+    #[cfg(feature = "compress-brotli")]
+    {
+        encodings.push(Encoding::brotli());
+    }
+
+    #[cfg(feature = "compress-gzip")]
+    {
+        encodings.push(Encoding::gzip());
+        encodings.push(Encoding::deflate());
+    }
+
+    #[cfg(feature = "compress-zstd")]
+    {
+        encodings.push(Encoding::zstd());
+    }
+
+    assert!(
+        !encodings.is_empty(),
+        "encodings can not be empty unless __compress feature has been explicitly enabled by itself"
+    );
+
+    encodings
+});
+
+// move cfg(feature) to prevents_double_compressing if more tests are added
+#[cfg(feature = "compress-gzip")]
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
+    use crate::{middleware::DefaultHeaders, test, web, App};
 
-    macro_rules! assert_parse_eq {
-        ($raw:expr, $result:expr) => {
-            assert_eq!(
-                AcceptEncoding::try_parse($raw, ContentEncoding::Auto),
-                Ok($result)
-            );
-        };
+    pub fn gzip_decode(bytes: impl AsRef<[u8]>) -> Vec<u8> {
+        use std::io::Read as _;
+        let mut decoder = flate2::read::GzDecoder::new(bytes.as_ref());
+        let mut buf = Vec::new();
+        decoder.read_to_end(&mut buf).unwrap();
+        buf
     }
 
-    macro_rules! assert_parse_fail {
-        ($raw:expr) => {
-            assert!(AcceptEncoding::try_parse($raw, ContentEncoding::Auto).is_err());
-        };
-    }
+    #[actix_rt::test]
+    async fn prevents_double_compressing() {
+        const D: &str = "hello world ";
+        const DATA: &str = const_str::repeat!(D, 100);
 
-    #[test]
-    fn test_parse_encoding() {
-        // Test simple case
-        assert_parse_eq!("br", ContentEncoding::Br);
-        assert_parse_eq!("gzip", ContentEncoding::Gzip);
-        assert_parse_eq!("deflate", ContentEncoding::Deflate);
-        assert_parse_eq!("zstd", ContentEncoding::Zstd);
+        let app = test::init_service({
+            App::new()
+                .wrap(Compress::default())
+                .route(
+                    "/single",
+                    web::get().to(move || HttpResponse::Ok().body(DATA)),
+                )
+                .service(
+                    web::resource("/double")
+                        .wrap(Compress::default())
+                        .wrap(DefaultHeaders::new().add(("x-double", "true")))
+                        .route(web::get().to(move || HttpResponse::Ok().body(DATA))),
+                )
+        })
+        .await;
 
-        // Test space, trim, missing values
-        assert_parse_eq!("br,,,,", ContentEncoding::Br);
-        assert_parse_eq!("gzip  ,   br,   zstd", ContentEncoding::Gzip);
+        let req = test::TestRequest::default()
+            .uri("/single")
+            .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
+            .to_request();
+        let res = test::call_service(&app, req).await;
+        assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+        assert_eq!(res.headers().get("x-double"), None);
+        assert_eq!(res.headers().get(header::CONTENT_ENCODING).unwrap(), "gzip");
+        let bytes = test::read_body(res).await;
+        assert_eq!(gzip_decode(bytes), DATA.as_bytes());
 
-        // Test float number parsing
-        assert_parse_eq!("br;q=1  ,", ContentEncoding::Br);
-        assert_parse_eq!("br;q=1.0  ,   br", ContentEncoding::Br);
-
-        // Test wildcard
-        assert_parse_eq!("*", ContentEncoding::Identity);
-        assert_parse_eq!("*;q=1.0", ContentEncoding::Identity);
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn test_parse_encoding_qfactor_ordering() {
-        assert_parse_eq!("gzip, br, zstd", ContentEncoding::Gzip);
-        assert_parse_eq!("zstd, br, gzip", ContentEncoding::Zstd);
-
-        assert_parse_eq!("gzip;q=0.4, br;q=0.6", ContentEncoding::Br);
-        assert_parse_eq!("gzip;q=0.8, br;q=0.4", ContentEncoding::Gzip);
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn test_parse_encoding_qfactor_invalid() {
-        // Out of range
-        assert_parse_eq!("gzip;q=-5.0", ContentEncoding::Identity);
-        assert_parse_eq!("gzip;q=5.0", ContentEncoding::Identity);
-
-        // Disabled
-        assert_parse_eq!("gzip;q=0", ContentEncoding::Identity);
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn test_parse_compression_required() {
-        // Check we fallback to identity if there is an unsupported compression algorithm
-        assert_parse_eq!("compress", ContentEncoding::Identity);
-
-        // User do not want any compression
-        assert_parse_fail!("compress, identity;q=0");
-        assert_parse_fail!("compress, identity;q=0.0");
-        assert_parse_fail!("compress, *;q=0");
-        assert_parse_fail!("compress, *;q=0.0");
+        let req = test::TestRequest::default()
+            .uri("/double")
+            .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
+            .to_request();
+        let res = test::call_service(&app, req).await;
+        assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+        assert_eq!(res.headers().get("x-double").unwrap(), "true");
+        assert_eq!(res.headers().get(header::CONTENT_ENCODING).unwrap(), "gzip");
+        let bytes = test::read_body(res).await;
+        assert_eq!(gzip_decode(bytes), DATA.as_bytes());
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/middleware/default_headers.rs b/src/middleware/default_headers.rs
index 89210b156..003abd40d 100644
--- a/src/middleware/default_headers.rs
+++ b/src/middleware/default_headers.rs
@@ -100,10 +100,9 @@ impl DefaultHeaders {
     ///
     /// Default is `application/octet-stream`.
     pub fn add_content_type(self) -> Self {
-        self.add((
-            CONTENT_TYPE,
-            HeaderValue::from_static("application/octet-stream"),
-        ))
+        #[allow(clippy::declare_interior_mutable_const)]
+        const HV_MIME: HeaderValue = HeaderValue::from_static("application/octet-stream");
+        self.add((CONTENT_TYPE, HV_MIME))
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/middleware/err_handlers.rs b/src/middleware/err_handlers.rs
index 6d064372f..bde054330 100644
--- a/src/middleware/err_handlers.rs
+++ b/src/middleware/err_handlers.rs
@@ -37,27 +37,21 @@ type ErrorHandler<B> = dyn Fn(ServiceResponse<B>) -> Result<ErrorHandlerResponse
 ///
 /// # Examples
 /// ```
-/// use actix_web::middleware::{ErrorHandlers, ErrorHandlerResponse};
-/// use actix_web::{web, dev, App, HttpRequest, HttpResponse, Result};
-/// use actix_web::http::{StatusCode, header};
-///
-/// fn render_500<B>(mut res: dev::ServiceResponse<B>) -> Result<ErrorHandlerResponse<B>> {
-///     res.response_mut()
-///        .headers_mut()
-///        .insert(header::CONTENT_TYPE, header::HeaderValue::from_static("Error"));
+/// use actix_web::http::{header, StatusCode};
+/// use actix_web::middleware::{ErrorHandlerResponse, ErrorHandlers};
+/// use actix_web::{dev, web, App, HttpResponse, Result};
 ///
+/// fn add_error_header<B>(mut res: dev::ServiceResponse<B>) -> Result<ErrorHandlerResponse<B>> {
+///     res.response_mut().headers_mut().insert(
+///         header::CONTENT_TYPE,
+///         header::HeaderValue::from_static("Error"),
+///     );
 ///     Ok(ErrorHandlerResponse::Response(res.map_into_left_body()))
 /// }
 ///
 /// let app = App::new()
-///     .wrap(
-///         ErrorHandlers::new()
-///             .handler(StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR, render_500),
-///     )
-///     .service(web::resource("/test")
-///         .route(web::get().to(|| HttpResponse::Ok()))
-///         .route(web::head().to(|| HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed())
-///     ));
+///     .wrap(ErrorHandlers::new().handler(StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR, add_error_header))
+///     .service(web::resource("/").route(web::get().to(HttpResponse::InternalServerError)));
 /// ```
 pub struct ErrorHandlers<B> {
     handlers: Handlers<B>,
diff --git a/src/middleware/logger.rs b/src/middleware/logger.rs
index d7fdb234f..969cb0c10 100644
--- a/src/middleware/logger.rs
+++ b/src/middleware/logger.rs
@@ -547,7 +547,7 @@ impl FormatText {
                 *self = FormatText::Str(s.to_string());
             }
             FormatText::RemoteAddr => {
-                let s = if let Some(peer) = req.connection_info().remote_addr() {
+                let s = if let Some(peer) = req.connection_info().peer_addr() {
                     FormatText::Str((*peer).to_string())
                 } else {
                     FormatText::Str("-".to_string())
diff --git a/src/middleware/mod.rs b/src/middleware/mod.rs
index 0da9b9b2e..0a61ad6cb 100644
--- a/src/middleware/mod.rs
+++ b/src/middleware/mod.rs
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
-//! Commonly used middleware.
+//! A collection of common middleware.
 
 mod compat;
 mod condition;
 mod default_headers;
 mod err_handlers;
 mod logger;
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod noop;
 mod normalize;
 
 pub use self::compat::Compat;
@@ -12,6 +14,8 @@ pub use self::condition::Condition;
 pub use self::default_headers::DefaultHeaders;
 pub use self::err_handlers::{ErrorHandlerResponse, ErrorHandlers};
 pub use self::logger::Logger;
+#[cfg(test)]
+pub(crate) use self::noop::Noop;
 pub use self::normalize::{NormalizePath, TrailingSlash};
 
 #[cfg(feature = "__compress")]
diff --git a/src/middleware/noop.rs b/src/middleware/noop.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ae7da1d81
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/middleware/noop.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+//! A no-op middleware. See [Noop] for docs.
+
+use actix_utils::future::{ready, Ready};
+
+use crate::dev::{Service, Transform};
+
+/// A no-op middleware that passes through request and response untouched.
+pub(crate) struct Noop;
+
+impl<S: Service<Req>, Req> Transform<S, Req> for Noop {
+    type Response = S::Response;
+    type Error = S::Error;
+    type Transform = NoopService<S>;
+    type InitError = ();
+    type Future = Ready<Result<Self::Transform, Self::InitError>>;
+
+    fn new_transform(&self, service: S) -> Self::Future {
+        ready(Ok(NoopService { service }))
+    }
+}
+
+#[doc(hidden)]
+pub(crate) struct NoopService<S> {
+    service: S,
+}
+
+impl<S: Service<Req>, Req> Service<Req> for NoopService<S> {
+    type Response = S::Response;
+    type Error = S::Error;
+    type Future = S::Future;
+
+    crate::dev::forward_ready!(service);
+
+    fn call(&self, req: Req) -> Self::Future {
+        self.service.call(req)
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/middleware/normalize.rs b/src/middleware/normalize.rs
index 18dcaeefa..3ab908481 100644
--- a/src/middleware/normalize.rs
+++ b/src/middleware/normalize.rs
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ mod tests {
                 .service(web::resource("/v1/something").to(HttpResponse::Ok))
                 .service(
                     web::resource("/v2/something")
-                        .guard(fn_guard(|req| req.uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
+                        .guard(fn_guard(|ctx| ctx.head().uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
                         .to(HttpResponse::Ok),
                 ),
         )
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ mod tests {
                 .service(web::resource("/v1/something").to(HttpResponse::Ok))
                 .service(
                     web::resource("/v2/something")
-                        .guard(fn_guard(|req| req.uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
+                        .guard(fn_guard(|ctx| ctx.head().uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
                         .to(HttpResponse::Ok),
                 ),
         )
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ mod tests {
         let app = init_service(
             App::new().wrap(NormalizePath(TrailingSlash::Trim)).service(
                 web::resource("/")
-                    .guard(fn_guard(|req| req.uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
+                    .guard(fn_guard(|ctx| ctx.head().uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
                     .to(HttpResponse::Ok),
             ),
         )
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ mod tests {
                 .service(web::resource("/v1/something/").to(HttpResponse::Ok))
                 .service(
                     web::resource("/v2/something/")
-                        .guard(fn_guard(|req| req.uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
+                        .guard(fn_guard(|ctx| ctx.head().uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
                         .to(HttpResponse::Ok),
                 ),
         )
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ mod tests {
                 .wrap(NormalizePath(TrailingSlash::Always))
                 .service(
                     web::resource("/")
-                        .guard(fn_guard(|req| req.uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
+                        .guard(fn_guard(|ctx| ctx.head().uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
                         .to(HttpResponse::Ok),
                 ),
         )
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ mod tests {
                 .service(web::resource("/v1/").to(HttpResponse::Ok))
                 .service(
                     web::resource("/v2/something")
-                        .guard(fn_guard(|req| req.uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
+                        .guard(fn_guard(|ctx| ctx.head().uri.query() == Some("query=test")))
                         .to(HttpResponse::Ok),
                 ),
         )
diff --git a/src/request.rs b/src/request.rs
index 07fb4eb2d..e876c3b4d 100644
--- a/src/request.rs
+++ b/src/request.rs
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ impl HttpRequest {
 
     /// Returns a reference to the URL parameters container.
     ///
-    /// A url parameter is specified in the form `{identifier}`, where the identifier can be used
+    /// A URL parameter is specified in the form `{identifier}`, where the identifier can be used
     /// later in a request handler to access the matched value for that parameter.
     ///
     /// # Percent Encoding and URL Parameters
@@ -228,23 +228,28 @@ impl HttpRequest {
         self.app_state().rmap()
     }
 
-    /// Peer socket address.
+    /// Returns peer socket address.
     ///
     /// Peer address is the directly connected peer's socket address. If a proxy is used in front of
     /// the Actix Web server, then it would be address of this proxy.
     ///
-    /// To get client connection information `.connection_info()` should be used.
+    /// For expanded client connection information, use [`connection_info`] instead.
     ///
-    /// Will only return None when called in unit tests.
+    /// Will only return None when called in unit tests unless [`TestRequest::peer_addr`] is used.
+    ///
+    /// [`TestRequest::peer_addr`]: crate::test::TestRequest::peer_addr
+    /// [`connection_info`]: Self::connection_info
     #[inline]
     pub fn peer_addr(&self) -> Option<net::SocketAddr> {
         self.head().peer_addr
     }
 
-    /// Get *ConnectionInfo* for the current request.
+    /// Returns connection info for the current request.
     ///
-    /// This method panics if request's extensions container is already
-    /// borrowed.
+    /// The return type, [`ConnectionInfo`], can also be used as an extractor.
+    ///
+    /// # Panics
+    /// Panics if request's extensions container is already borrowed.
     #[inline]
     pub fn connection_info(&self) -> Ref<'_, ConnectionInfo> {
         if !self.extensions().contains::<ConnectionInfo>() {
@@ -252,7 +257,7 @@ impl HttpRequest {
             self.extensions_mut().insert(info);
         }
 
-        Ref::map(self.extensions(), |e| e.get().unwrap())
+        Ref::map(self.extensions(), |data| data.get().unwrap())
     }
 
     /// App config
@@ -261,14 +266,34 @@ impl HttpRequest {
         self.app_state().config()
     }
 
-    /// Get an application data object stored with `App::data` or `App::app_data`
-    /// methods during application configuration.
+    /// Retrieves a piece of application state.
     ///
-    /// If `App::data` was used to store object, use `Data<T>`:
+    /// Extracts any object stored with [`App::app_data()`](crate::App::app_data) (or the
+    /// counterpart methods on [`Scope`](crate::Scope::app_data) and
+    /// [`Resource`](crate::Resource::app_data)) during application configuration.
     ///
-    /// ```ignore
-    /// let opt_t = req.app_data::<Data<T>>();
+    /// Since the Actix Web router layers application data, the returned object will reference the
+    /// "closest" instance of the type. For example, if an `App` stores a `u32`, a nested `Scope`
+    /// also stores a `u32`, and the delegated request handler falls within that `Scope`, then
+    /// calling `.app_data::<u32>()` on an `HttpRequest` within that handler will return the
+    /// `Scope`'s instance. However, using the same router set up and a request that does not get
+    /// captured by the `Scope`, `.app_data::<u32>()` would return the `App`'s instance.
+    ///
+    /// If the state was stored using the [`Data`] wrapper, then it must also be retrieved using
+    /// this same type.
+    ///
+    /// See also the [`Data`] extractor.
+    ///
+    /// # Examples
+    /// ```no_run
+    /// # use actix_web::{test::TestRequest, web::Data};
+    /// # let req = TestRequest::default().to_http_request();
+    /// # type T = u32;
+    /// let opt_t: Option<&Data<T>> = req.app_data::<Data<T>>();
     /// ```
+    ///
+    /// [`Data`]: crate::web::Data
+    #[doc(alias = "state")]
     pub fn app_data<T: 'static>(&self) -> Option<&T> {
         for container in self.inner.app_data.iter().rev() {
             if let Some(data) = container.get::<T>() {
diff --git a/src/resource.rs b/src/resource.rs
index c13544063..dd7d4b0d5 100644
--- a/src/resource.rs
+++ b/src/resource.rs
@@ -20,31 +20,28 @@ use crate::{
         BoxedHttpService, BoxedHttpServiceFactory, HttpServiceFactory, ServiceRequest,
         ServiceResponse,
     },
-    BoxError, Error, FromRequest, HttpResponse, Responder,
+    Error, FromRequest, HttpResponse, Responder,
 };
 
-/// *Resource* is an entry in resources table which corresponds to requested URL.
+/// A collection of [`Route`]s that respond to the same path pattern.
 ///
-/// Resource in turn has at least one route.
-/// Route consists of an handlers objects and list of guards
-/// (objects that implement `Guard` trait).
-/// Resources and routes uses builder-like pattern for configuration.
-/// During request handling, resource object iterate through all routes
-/// and check guards for specific route, if request matches all
-/// guards, route considered matched and route handler get called.
+/// Resource in turn has at least one route. Route consists of an handlers objects and list of
+/// guards (objects that implement `Guard` trait). Resources and routes uses builder-like pattern
+/// for configuration. During request handling, resource object iterate through all routes and check
+/// guards for specific route, if request matches all guards, route considered matched and route
+/// handler get called.
 ///
+/// # Examples
 /// ```
 /// use actix_web::{web, App, HttpResponse};
 ///
-/// fn main() {
-///     let app = App::new().service(
-///         web::resource("/")
-///             .route(web::get().to(|| HttpResponse::Ok())));
-/// }
+/// let app = App::new().service(
+///     web::resource("/")
+///         .route(web::get().to(|| HttpResponse::Ok())));
 /// ```
 ///
-/// If no matching route could be found, *405* response code get returned.
-/// Default behavior could be overridden with `default_resource()` method.
+/// If no matching route could be found, *405* response code get returned. Default behavior could be
+/// overridden with `default_resource()` method.
 pub struct Resource<T = ResourceEndpoint> {
     endpoint: T,
     rdef: Patterns,
@@ -77,13 +74,7 @@ impl Resource {
 
 impl<T> Resource<T>
 where
-    T: ServiceFactory<
-        ServiceRequest,
-        Config = (),
-        Response = ServiceResponse,
-        Error = Error,
-        InitError = (),
-    >,
+    T: ServiceFactory<ServiceRequest, Config = (), Error = Error, InitError = ()>,
 {
     /// Set resource name.
     ///
@@ -131,15 +122,13 @@ where
     /// ```
     /// use actix_web::{web, guard, App, HttpResponse};
     ///
-    /// fn main() {
-    ///     let app = App::new().service(
-    ///         web::resource("/").route(
-    ///             web::route()
-    ///                 .guard(guard::Any(guard::Get()).or(guard::Put()))
-    ///                 .guard(guard::Header("Content-Type", "text/plain"))
-    ///                 .to(|| HttpResponse::Ok()))
-    ///     );
-    /// }
+    /// let app = App::new().service(
+    ///     web::resource("/").route(
+    ///         web::route()
+    ///             .guard(guard::Any(guard::Get()).or(guard::Put()))
+    ///             .guard(guard::Header("Content-Type", "text/plain"))
+    ///             .to(|| HttpResponse::Ok()))
+    /// );
     /// ```
     ///
     /// Multiple routes could be added to a resource. Resource object uses
@@ -197,6 +186,7 @@ where
     ///         .route(web::get().to(handler))
     /// );
     /// ```
+    #[doc(alias = "manage")]
     pub fn app_data<U: 'static>(mut self, data: U) -> Self {
         self.app_data
             .get_or_insert_with(Extensions::new)
@@ -232,46 +222,45 @@ where
     /// # fn index(req: HttpRequest) -> HttpResponse { unimplemented!() }
     /// App::new().service(web::resource("/").route(web::route().to(index)));
     /// ```
-    pub fn to<F, I, R>(mut self, handler: F) -> Self
+    pub fn to<F, Args>(mut self, handler: F) -> Self
     where
-        F: Handler<I, R>,
-        I: FromRequest + 'static,
-        R: Future + 'static,
-        R::Output: Responder + 'static,
-        <R::Output as Responder>::Body: MessageBody,
-        <<R::Output as Responder>::Body as MessageBody>::Error: Into<BoxError>,
+        F: Handler<Args>,
+        Args: FromRequest + 'static,
+        F::Output: Responder + 'static,
     {
         self.routes.push(Route::new().to(handler));
         self
     }
 
-    /// Register a resource middleware.
+    /// Registers a resource middleware.
     ///
-    /// This is similar to `App's` middlewares, but middleware get invoked on resource level.
-    /// Resource level middlewares are not allowed to change response
-    /// type (i.e modify response's body).
+    /// `mw` is a middleware component (type), that can modify the request and response across all
+    /// routes managed by this `Resource`.
     ///
-    /// **Note**: middlewares get called in opposite order of middlewares registration.
-    pub fn wrap<M>(
+    /// See [`App::wrap`](crate::App::wrap) for more details.
+    #[doc(alias = "middleware")]
+    #[doc(alias = "use")] // nodejs terminology
+    pub fn wrap<M, B>(
         self,
         mw: M,
     ) -> Resource<
         impl ServiceFactory<
             ServiceRequest,
             Config = (),
-            Response = ServiceResponse,
+            Response = ServiceResponse<B>,
             Error = Error,
             InitError = (),
         >,
     >
     where
         M: Transform<
-            T::Service,
-            ServiceRequest,
-            Response = ServiceResponse,
-            Error = Error,
-            InitError = (),
-        >,
+                T::Service,
+                ServiceRequest,
+                Response = ServiceResponse<B>,
+                Error = Error,
+                InitError = (),
+            > + 'static,
+        B: MessageBody,
     {
         Resource {
             endpoint: apply(mw, self.endpoint),
@@ -285,55 +274,31 @@ where
         }
     }
 
-    /// Register a resource middleware function.
+    /// Registers a resource function middleware.
     ///
-    /// This function accepts instance of `ServiceRequest` type and
-    /// mutable reference to the next middleware in chain.
+    /// `mw` is a closure that runs during inbound and/or outbound processing in the request
+    /// life-cycle (request -> response), modifying request/response as necessary, across all
+    /// requests handled by the `Resource`.
     ///
-    /// This is similar to `App's` middlewares, but middleware get invoked on resource level.
-    /// Resource level middlewares are not allowed to change response
-    /// type (i.e modify response's body).
-    ///
-    /// ```
-    /// use actix_service::Service;
-    /// use actix_web::{web, App};
-    /// use actix_web::http::header::{CONTENT_TYPE, HeaderValue};
-    ///
-    /// async fn index() -> &'static str {
-    ///     "Welcome!"
-    /// }
-    ///
-    /// fn main() {
-    ///     let app = App::new().service(
-    ///         web::resource("/index.html")
-    ///             .wrap_fn(|req, srv| {
-    ///                 let fut = srv.call(req);
-    ///                 async {
-    ///                     let mut res = fut.await?;
-    ///                     res.headers_mut().insert(
-    ///                        CONTENT_TYPE, HeaderValue::from_static("text/plain"),
-    ///                     );
-    ///                     Ok(res)
-    ///                 }
-    ///             })
-    ///             .route(web::get().to(index)));
-    /// }
-    /// ```
-    pub fn wrap_fn<F, R>(
+    /// See [`App::wrap_fn`](crate::App::wrap_fn) for examples and more details.
+    #[doc(alias = "middleware")]
+    #[doc(alias = "use")] // nodejs terminology
+    pub fn wrap_fn<F, R, B>(
         self,
         mw: F,
     ) -> Resource<
         impl ServiceFactory<
             ServiceRequest,
             Config = (),
-            Response = ServiceResponse,
+            Response = ServiceResponse<B>,
             Error = Error,
             InitError = (),
         >,
     >
     where
-        F: Fn(ServiceRequest, &T::Service) -> R + Clone,
-        R: Future<Output = Result<ServiceResponse, Error>>,
+        F: Fn(ServiceRequest, &T::Service) -> R + Clone + 'static,
+        R: Future<Output = Result<ServiceResponse<B>, Error>>,
+        B: MessageBody,
     {
         Resource {
             endpoint: apply_fn_factory(self.endpoint, mw),
@@ -371,15 +336,16 @@ where
     }
 }
 
-impl<T> HttpServiceFactory for Resource<T>
+impl<T, B> HttpServiceFactory for Resource<T>
 where
     T: ServiceFactory<
             ServiceRequest,
             Config = (),
-            Response = ServiceResponse,
+            Response = ServiceResponse<B>,
             Error = Error,
             InitError = (),
         > + 'static,
+    B: MessageBody + 'static,
 {
     fn register(mut self, config: &mut AppService) {
         let guards = if self.guards.is_empty() {
@@ -411,7 +377,9 @@ where
                 req.add_data_container(Rc::clone(data));
             }
 
-            srv.call(req)
+            let fut = srv.call(req);
+
+            async { Ok(fut.await?.map_into_boxed_body()) }
         });
 
         config.register_service(rdef, guards, endpoint, None)
@@ -512,7 +480,7 @@ mod tests {
             header::{self, HeaderValue},
             Method, StatusCode,
         },
-        middleware::{Compat, DefaultHeaders},
+        middleware::DefaultHeaders,
         service::{ServiceRequest, ServiceResponse},
         test::{call_service, init_service, TestRequest},
         web, App, Error, HttpMessage, HttpResponse,
@@ -520,31 +488,35 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn can_be_returned_from_fn() {
-        fn my_resource() -> Resource {
-            web::resource("/test").route(web::get().to(|| async { "hello" }))
+        fn my_resource_1() -> Resource {
+            web::resource("/test1").route(web::get().to(|| async { "hello" }))
         }
 
-        fn my_compat_resource() -> Resource<
+        fn my_resource_2() -> Resource<
             impl ServiceFactory<
                 ServiceRequest,
                 Config = (),
-                Response = ServiceResponse,
+                Response = ServiceResponse<impl MessageBody>,
                 Error = Error,
                 InitError = (),
             >,
         > {
-            web::resource("/test-compat")
-                // .wrap_fn(|req, srv| {
-                //     let fut = srv.call(req);
-                //     async { Ok(fut.await?.map_into_right_body::<()>()) }
-                // })
-                .wrap(Compat::new(DefaultHeaders::new()))
+            web::resource("/test2")
+                .wrap_fn(|req, srv| {
+                    let fut = srv.call(req);
+                    async { Ok(fut.await?.map_into_right_body::<()>()) }
+                })
                 .route(web::get().to(|| async { "hello" }))
         }
 
+        fn my_resource_3() -> impl HttpServiceFactory {
+            web::resource("/test3").route(web::get().to(|| async { "hello" }))
+        }
+
         App::new()
-            .service(my_resource())
-            .service(my_compat_resource());
+            .service(my_resource_1())
+            .service(my_resource_2())
+            .service(my_resource_3());
     }
 
     #[actix_rt::test]
@@ -801,4 +773,26 @@ mod tests {
         let resp = call_service(&srv, req).await;
         assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST);
     }
+
+    #[actix_rt::test]
+    async fn test_middleware_body_type() {
+        let srv = init_service(
+            App::new().service(
+                web::resource("/test")
+                    .wrap_fn(|req, srv| {
+                        let fut = srv.call(req);
+                        async { Ok(fut.await?.map_into_right_body::<()>()) }
+                    })
+                    .route(web::get().to(|| async { "hello" })),
+            ),
+        )
+        .await;
+
+        // test if `try_into_bytes()` is preserved across scope layer
+        use actix_http::body::MessageBody as _;
+        let req = TestRequest::with_uri("/test").to_request();
+        let resp = call_service(&srv, req).await;
+        let body = resp.into_body();
+        assert_eq!(body.try_into_bytes().unwrap(), b"hello".as_ref());
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/response/builder.rs b/src/response/builder.rs
index b500ab331..bdb0aaa12 100644
--- a/src/response/builder.rs
+++ b/src/response/builder.rs
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ use cookie::{Cookie, CookieJar};
 
 use crate::{
     error::{Error, JsonPayloadError},
-    BoxError, HttpResponse,
+    BoxError, HttpRequest, HttpResponse, Responder,
 };
 
 /// An HTTP response builder.
@@ -424,14 +424,26 @@ impl Future for HttpResponseBuilder {
     }
 }
 
+impl Responder for HttpResponseBuilder {
+    type Body = BoxBody;
+
+    #[inline]
+    fn respond_to(mut self, _: &HttpRequest) -> HttpResponse<Self::Body> {
+        self.finish()
+    }
+}
+
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use actix_http::body;
 
     use super::*;
-    use crate::http::{
-        header::{self, HeaderValue, CONTENT_TYPE},
-        StatusCode,
+    use crate::{
+        http::{
+            header::{self, HeaderValue, CONTENT_TYPE},
+            StatusCode,
+        },
+        test::assert_body_eq,
     };
 
     #[test]
@@ -472,32 +484,23 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[actix_rt::test]
     async fn test_json() {
-        let resp = HttpResponse::Ok().json(vec!["v1", "v2", "v3"]);
-        let ct = resp.headers().get(CONTENT_TYPE).unwrap();
+        let res = HttpResponse::Ok().json(vec!["v1", "v2", "v3"]);
+        let ct = res.headers().get(CONTENT_TYPE).unwrap();
         assert_eq!(ct, HeaderValue::from_static("application/json"));
-        assert_eq!(
-            body::to_bytes(resp.into_body()).await.unwrap().as_ref(),
-            br#"["v1","v2","v3"]"#
-        );
+        assert_body_eq!(res, br#"["v1","v2","v3"]"#);
 
-        let resp = HttpResponse::Ok().json(&["v1", "v2", "v3"]);
-        let ct = resp.headers().get(CONTENT_TYPE).unwrap();
+        let res = HttpResponse::Ok().json(&["v1", "v2", "v3"]);
+        let ct = res.headers().get(CONTENT_TYPE).unwrap();
         assert_eq!(ct, HeaderValue::from_static("application/json"));
-        assert_eq!(
-            body::to_bytes(resp.into_body()).await.unwrap().as_ref(),
-            br#"["v1","v2","v3"]"#
-        );
+        assert_body_eq!(res, br#"["v1","v2","v3"]"#);
 
         // content type override
-        let resp = HttpResponse::Ok()
+        let res = HttpResponse::Ok()
             .insert_header((CONTENT_TYPE, "text/json"))
             .json(&vec!["v1", "v2", "v3"]);
-        let ct = resp.headers().get(CONTENT_TYPE).unwrap();
+        let ct = res.headers().get(CONTENT_TYPE).unwrap();
         assert_eq!(ct, HeaderValue::from_static("text/json"));
-        assert_eq!(
-            body::to_bytes(resp.into_body()).await.unwrap().as_ref(),
-            br#"["v1","v2","v3"]"#
-        );
+        assert_body_eq!(res, br#"["v1","v2","v3"]"#);
     }
 
     #[actix_rt::test]
diff --git a/src/response/customize_responder.rs b/src/response/customize_responder.rs
index 11f6b2916..8cb146dda 100644
--- a/src/response/customize_responder.rs
+++ b/src/response/customize_responder.rs
@@ -1,12 +1,9 @@
 use actix_http::{
-    body::{EitherBody, MessageBody},
-    error::HttpError,
-    header::HeaderMap,
-    header::TryIntoHeaderPair,
+    body::EitherBody, error::HttpError, header::HeaderMap, header::TryIntoHeaderPair,
     StatusCode,
 };
 
-use crate::{BoxError, HttpRequest, HttpResponse, Responder};
+use crate::{HttpRequest, HttpResponse, Responder};
 
 /// Allows overriding status code and headers for a [`Responder`].
 ///
@@ -143,7 +140,6 @@ impl<R: Responder> CustomizeResponder<R> {
 impl<T> Responder for CustomizeResponder<T>
 where
     T: Responder,
-    <T::Body as MessageBody>::Error: Into<BoxError>,
 {
     type Body = EitherBody<T::Body>;
 
diff --git a/src/response/responder.rs b/src/response/responder.rs
index 319b824f1..d1b9e49e0 100644
--- a/src/response/responder.rs
+++ b/src/response/responder.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ use actix_http::{
 };
 use bytes::{Bytes, BytesMut};
 
-use crate::{BoxError, Error, HttpRequest, HttpResponse, HttpResponseBuilder};
+use crate::{Error, HttpRequest, HttpResponse};
 
 use super::CustomizeResponder;
 
@@ -57,15 +57,6 @@ pub trait Responder {
     }
 }
 
-impl Responder for HttpResponse {
-    type Body = BoxBody;
-
-    #[inline]
-    fn respond_to(self, _: &HttpRequest) -> HttpResponse<Self::Body> {
-        self
-    }
-}
-
 impl Responder for actix_http::Response<BoxBody> {
     type Body = BoxBody;
 
@@ -75,15 +66,6 @@ impl Responder for actix_http::Response<BoxBody> {
     }
 }
 
-impl Responder for HttpResponseBuilder {
-    type Body = BoxBody;
-
-    #[inline]
-    fn respond_to(mut self, _: &HttpRequest) -> HttpResponse<Self::Body> {
-        self.finish()
-    }
-}
-
 impl Responder for actix_http::ResponseBuilder {
     type Body = BoxBody;
 
@@ -96,7 +78,6 @@ impl Responder for actix_http::ResponseBuilder {
 impl<T> Responder for Option<T>
 where
     T: Responder,
-    <T::Body as MessageBody>::Error: Into<BoxError>,
 {
     type Body = EitherBody<T::Body>;
 
@@ -111,7 +92,6 @@ where
 impl<T, E> Responder for Result<T, E>
 where
     T: Responder,
-    <T::Body as MessageBody>::Error: Into<BoxError>,
     E: Into<Error>,
 {
     type Body = EitherBody<T::Body>;
diff --git a/src/response/response.rs b/src/response/response.rs
index 6fa2082e7..f24a75b19 100644
--- a/src/response/response.rs
+++ b/src/response/response.rs
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ use {
     cookie::Cookie,
 };
 
-use crate::{error::Error, HttpResponseBuilder};
+use crate::{error::Error, HttpRequest, HttpResponseBuilder, Responder};
 
 /// An outgoing response.
 pub struct HttpResponse<B = BoxBody> {
@@ -311,6 +311,18 @@ impl Future for HttpResponse<BoxBody> {
     }
 }
 
+impl<B> Responder for HttpResponse<B>
+where
+    B: MessageBody + 'static,
+{
+    type Body = B;
+
+    #[inline]
+    fn respond_to(self, _: &HttpRequest) -> HttpResponse<Self::Body> {
+        self
+    }
+}
+
 #[cfg(feature = "cookies")]
 pub struct CookieIter<'a> {
     iter: std::slice::Iter<'a, HeaderValue>,
@@ -333,9 +345,16 @@ impl<'a> Iterator for CookieIter<'a> {
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
+    use static_assertions::assert_impl_all;
+
     use super::*;
     use crate::http::header::{HeaderValue, COOKIE};
 
+    assert_impl_all!(HttpResponse: Responder);
+    assert_impl_all!(HttpResponse<String>: Responder);
+    assert_impl_all!(HttpResponse<&'static str>: Responder);
+    assert_impl_all!(HttpResponse<crate::body::None>: Responder);
+
     #[test]
     fn test_debug() {
         let resp = HttpResponse::Ok()
diff --git a/src/route.rs b/src/route.rs
index 4447bff50..0410b99dd 100644
--- a/src/route.rs
+++ b/src/route.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use std::{future::Future, mem, rc::Rc};
+use std::{mem, rc::Rc};
 
 use actix_http::Method;
 use actix_service::{
@@ -8,17 +8,16 @@ use actix_service::{
 use futures_core::future::LocalBoxFuture;
 
 use crate::{
-    body::MessageBody,
     guard::{self, Guard},
     handler::{handler_service, Handler},
     service::{BoxedHttpServiceFactory, ServiceRequest, ServiceResponse},
-    BoxError, Error, FromRequest, HttpResponse, Responder,
+    Error, FromRequest, HttpResponse, Responder,
 };
 
-/// Resource route definition
+/// A request handler with [guards](guard).
 ///
-/// Route uses builder-like pattern for configuration.
-/// If handler is not explicitly set, default *404 Not Found* handler is used.
+/// Route uses a builder-like pattern for configuration. If handler is not set, a `404 Not Found`
+/// handler is used.
 pub struct Route {
     service: BoxedHttpServiceFactory,
     guards: Rc<Vec<Box<dyn Guard>>>,
@@ -66,9 +65,12 @@ pub struct RouteService {
 }
 
 impl RouteService {
+    // TODO: does this need to take &mut ?
     pub fn check(&self, req: &mut ServiceRequest) -> bool {
-        for f in self.guards.iter() {
-            if !f.check(req.head()) {
+        let guard_ctx = req.guard_ctx();
+
+        for guard in self.guards.iter() {
+            if !guard.check(&guard_ctx) {
                 return false;
             }
         }
@@ -91,6 +93,7 @@ impl Service<ServiceRequest> for RouteService {
 impl Route {
     /// Add method guard to the route.
     ///
+    /// # Examples
     /// ```
     /// # use actix_web::*;
     /// # fn main() {
@@ -111,6 +114,7 @@ impl Route {
 
     /// Add guard to the route.
     ///
+    /// # Examples
     /// ```
     /// # use actix_web::*;
     /// # fn main() {
@@ -144,16 +148,13 @@ impl Route {
     ///     format!("Welcome {}!", info.username)
     /// }
     ///
-    /// fn main() {
-    ///     let app = App::new().service(
-    ///         web::resource("/{username}/index.html") // <- define path parameters
-    ///             .route(web::get().to(index))        // <- register handler
-    ///     );
-    /// }
+    /// let app = App::new().service(
+    ///     web::resource("/{username}/index.html") // <- define path parameters
+    ///         .route(web::get().to(index))        // <- register handler
+    /// );
     /// ```
     ///
     /// It is possible to use multiple extractors for one handler function.
-    ///
     /// ```
     /// # use std::collections::HashMap;
     /// # use serde::Deserialize;
@@ -165,25 +166,24 @@ impl Route {
     /// }
     ///
     /// /// extract path info using serde
-    /// async fn index(path: web::Path<Info>, query: web::Query<HashMap<String, String>>, body: web::Json<Info>) -> String {
+    /// async fn index(
+    ///     path: web::Path<Info>,
+    ///     query: web::Query<HashMap<String, String>>,
+    ///     body: web::Json<Info>
+    /// ) -> String {
     ///     format!("Welcome {}!", path.username)
     /// }
     ///
-    /// fn main() {
-    ///     let app = App::new().service(
-    ///         web::resource("/{username}/index.html") // <- define path parameters
-    ///             .route(web::get().to(index))
-    ///     );
-    /// }
+    /// let app = App::new().service(
+    ///     web::resource("/{username}/index.html") // <- define path parameters
+    ///         .route(web::get().to(index))
+    /// );
     /// ```
-    pub fn to<F, T, R>(mut self, handler: F) -> Self
+    pub fn to<F, Args>(mut self, handler: F) -> Self
     where
-        F: Handler<T, R>,
-        T: FromRequest + 'static,
-        R: Future + 'static,
-        R::Output: Responder + 'static,
-        <R::Output as Responder>::Body: MessageBody,
-        <<R::Output as Responder>::Body as MessageBody>::Error: Into<BoxError>,
+        F: Handler<Args>,
+        Args: FromRequest + 'static,
+        F::Output: Responder + 'static,
     {
         self.service = handler_service(handler);
         self
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ impl Route {
     ///     type Error = Infallible;
     ///     type Future = LocalBoxFuture<'static, Result<Self::Response, Self::Error>>;
     ///
-    ///     always_ready!();
+    ///     dev::always_ready!();
     ///
     ///     fn call(&self, req: ServiceRequest) -> Self::Future {
     ///         let (req, _) = req.into_parts();
diff --git a/src/scope.rs b/src/scope.rs
index 35bbb50ba..c05ce054d 100644
--- a/src/scope.rs
+++ b/src/scope.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-use std::{cell::RefCell, fmt, future::Future, marker::PhantomData, mem, rc::Rc};
+use std::{cell::RefCell, fmt, future::Future, mem, rc::Rc};
 
-use actix_http::{body::BoxBody, Extensions};
+use actix_http::{body::MessageBody, Extensions};
 use actix_router::{ResourceDef, Router};
 use actix_service::{
     apply, apply_fn_factory, boxed, IntoServiceFactory, Service, ServiceFactory,
@@ -24,35 +24,37 @@ use crate::{
 
 type Guards = Vec<Box<dyn Guard>>;
 
-/// Resources scope.
+/// A collection of [`Route`]s, [`Resource`]s, or other services that share a common path prefix.
 ///
-/// Scope is a set of resources with common root path.
-/// Scopes collect multiple paths under a common path prefix.
-/// Scope path can contain variable path segments as resources.
-/// Scope prefix is always complete path segment, i.e `/app` would
-/// be converted to a `/app/` and it would not match `/app` path.
+/// The `Scope`'s path can contain [dynamic segments]. The dynamic segments can be extracted from
+/// requests using the [`Path`](crate::web::Path) extractor or
+/// with [`HttpRequest::match_info()`](crate::HttpRequest::match_info).
 ///
-/// You can get variable path segments from `HttpRequest::match_info()`.
-/// `Path` extractor also is able to extract scope level variable segments.
+/// # Avoid Trailing Slashes
+/// Avoid using trailing slashes in the scope prefix (e.g., `web::scope("/scope/")`). It will almost
+/// certainly not have the expected behavior. See the [documentation on resource definitions][pat]
+/// to understand why this is the case and how to correctly construct scope/prefix definitions.
 ///
+/// # Examples
 /// ```
 /// use actix_web::{web, App, HttpResponse};
 ///
-/// fn main() {
-///     let app = App::new().service(
-///         web::scope("/{project_id}/")
-///             .service(web::resource("/path1").to(|| async { "OK" }))
-///             .service(web::resource("/path2").route(web::get().to(|| HttpResponse::Ok())))
-///             .service(web::resource("/path3").route(web::head().to(HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed)))
-///     );
-/// }
+/// let app = App::new().service(
+///     web::scope("/{project_id}/")
+///         .service(web::resource("/path1").to(|| async { "OK" }))
+///         .service(web::resource("/path2").route(web::get().to(|| HttpResponse::Ok())))
+///         .service(web::resource("/path3").route(web::head().to(HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed)))
+/// );
 /// ```
 ///
 /// In the above example three routes get registered:
-///  * /{project_id}/path1 - responds to all http method
-///  * /{project_id}/path2 - `GET` requests
-///  * /{project_id}/path3 - `HEAD` requests
-pub struct Scope<T = ScopeEndpoint, B = BoxBody> {
+/// - /{project_id}/path1 - responds to all HTTP methods
+/// - /{project_id}/path2 - responds to `GET` requests
+/// - /{project_id}/path3 - responds to `HEAD` requests
+///
+/// [pat]: crate::dev::ResourceDef#prefix-resources
+/// [dynamic segments]: crate::dev::ResourceDef#dynamic-segments
+pub struct Scope<T = ScopeEndpoint> {
     endpoint: T,
     rdef: String,
     app_data: Option<Extensions>,
@@ -61,7 +63,6 @@ pub struct Scope<T = ScopeEndpoint, B = BoxBody> {
     default: Option<Rc<BoxedHttpServiceFactory>>,
     external: Vec<ResourceDef>,
     factory_ref: Rc<RefCell<Option<ScopeFactory>>>,
-    _phantom: PhantomData<B>,
 }
 
 impl Scope {
@@ -78,21 +79,13 @@ impl Scope {
             default: None,
             external: Vec::new(),
             factory_ref,
-            _phantom: Default::default(),
         }
     }
 }
 
-impl<T, B> Scope<T, B>
+impl<T> Scope<T>
 where
-    T: ServiceFactory<
-        ServiceRequest,
-        Config = (),
-        Response = ServiceResponse<B>,
-        Error = Error,
-        InitError = (),
-    >,
-    B: 'static,
+    T: ServiceFactory<ServiceRequest, Config = (), Error = Error, InitError = ()>,
 {
     /// Add match guard to a scope.
     ///
@@ -103,16 +96,14 @@ where
     ///     "Welcome!"
     /// }
     ///
-    /// fn main() {
-    ///     let app = App::new().service(
-    ///         web::scope("/app")
-    ///             .guard(guard::Header("content-type", "text/plain"))
-    ///             .route("/test1", web::get().to(index))
-    ///             .route("/test2", web::post().to(|r: HttpRequest| {
-    ///                 HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed()
-    ///             }))
-    ///     );
-    /// }
+    /// let app = App::new().service(
+    ///     web::scope("/app")
+    ///         .guard(guard::Header("content-type", "text/plain"))
+    ///         .route("/test1", web::get().to(index))
+    ///         .route("/test2", web::post().to(|r: HttpRequest| {
+    ///             HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed()
+    ///         }))
+    /// );
     /// ```
     pub fn guard<G: Guard + 'static>(mut self, guard: G) -> Self {
         self.guards.push(Box::new(guard));
@@ -151,6 +142,7 @@ where
     ///         .route("/", web::get().to(handler))
     /// );
     /// ```
+    #[doc(alias = "manage")]
     pub fn app_data<U: 'static>(mut self, data: U) -> Self {
         self.app_data
             .get_or_insert_with(Extensions::new)
@@ -183,15 +175,13 @@ where
     ///     );
     /// }
     ///
-    /// fn main() {
-    ///     let app = App::new()
-    ///         .wrap(middleware::Logger::default())
-    ///         .service(
-    ///             web::scope("/api")
-    ///                 .configure(config)
-    ///         )
-    ///         .route("/index.html", web::get().to(|| HttpResponse::Ok()));
-    /// }
+    /// let app = App::new()
+    ///     .wrap(middleware::Logger::default())
+    ///     .service(
+    ///         web::scope("/api")
+    ///             .configure(config)
+    ///     )
+    ///     .route("/index.html", web::get().to(|| HttpResponse::Ok()));
     /// ```
     pub fn configure<F>(mut self, cfg_fn: F) -> Self
     where
@@ -230,13 +220,11 @@ where
     ///     "Welcome!"
     /// }
     ///
-    /// fn main() {
-    ///     let app = App::new().service(
-    ///         web::scope("/app").service(
-    ///             web::scope("/v1")
-    ///                 .service(web::resource("/test1").to(index)))
-    ///     );
-    /// }
+    /// let app = App::new().service(
+    ///     web::scope("/app").service(
+    ///         web::scope("/v1")
+    ///             .service(web::resource("/test1").to(index)))
+    /// );
     /// ```
     pub fn service<F>(mut self, factory: F) -> Self
     where
@@ -260,13 +248,11 @@ where
     ///     "Welcome!"
     /// }
     ///
-    /// fn main() {
-    ///     let app = App::new().service(
-    ///         web::scope("/app")
-    ///             .route("/test1", web::get().to(index))
-    ///             .route("/test2", web::post().to(|| HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed()))
-    ///     );
-    /// }
+    /// let app = App::new().service(
+    ///     web::scope("/app")
+    ///         .route("/test1", web::get().to(index))
+    ///         .route("/test2", web::post().to(|| HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed()))
+    /// );
     /// ```
     pub fn route(self, path: &str, mut route: Route) -> Self {
         self.service(
@@ -298,32 +284,35 @@ where
         self
     }
 
-    /// Registers middleware, in the form of a middleware component (type), that runs during inbound
-    /// processing in the request life-cycle (request -> response), modifying request as necessary,
-    /// across all requests managed by the *Scope*.
+    /// Registers a scope-wide middleware.
     ///
-    /// Use middleware when you need to read or modify *every* request in some way.
-    pub fn wrap<M, B1>(
+    /// `mw` is a middleware component (type), that can modify the request and response across all
+    /// sub-resources managed by this `Scope`.
+    ///
+    /// See [`App::wrap`](crate::App::wrap) for more details.
+    #[doc(alias = "middleware")]
+    #[doc(alias = "use")] // nodejs terminology
+    pub fn wrap<M, B>(
         self,
         mw: M,
     ) -> Scope<
         impl ServiceFactory<
             ServiceRequest,
             Config = (),
-            Response = ServiceResponse<B1>,
+            Response = ServiceResponse<B>,
             Error = Error,
             InitError = (),
         >,
-        B1,
     >
     where
         M: Transform<
-            T::Service,
-            ServiceRequest,
-            Response = ServiceResponse<B1>,
-            Error = Error,
-            InitError = (),
-        >,
+                T::Service,
+                ServiceRequest,
+                Response = ServiceResponse<B>,
+                Error = Error,
+                InitError = (),
+            > + 'static,
+        B: MessageBody,
     {
         Scope {
             endpoint: apply(mw, self.endpoint),
@@ -334,56 +323,34 @@ where
             default: self.default,
             external: self.external,
             factory_ref: self.factory_ref,
-            _phantom: PhantomData,
         }
     }
 
-    /// Registers middleware, in the form of a closure, that runs during inbound processing in the
-    /// request life-cycle (request -> response), modifying request as necessary, across all
-    /// requests managed by the *Scope*.
+    /// Registers a scope-wide function middleware.
     ///
-    /// # Examples
-    /// ```
-    /// use actix_service::Service;
-    /// use actix_web::{web, App};
-    /// use actix_web::http::header::{CONTENT_TYPE, HeaderValue};
+    /// `mw` is a closure that runs during inbound and/or outbound processing in the request
+    /// life-cycle (request -> response), modifying request/response as necessary, across all
+    /// requests handled by the `Scope`.
     ///
-    /// async fn index() -> &'static str {
-    ///     "Welcome!"
-    /// }
-    ///
-    /// fn main() {
-    ///     let app = App::new().service(
-    ///         web::scope("/app")
-    ///             .wrap_fn(|req, srv| {
-    ///                 let fut = srv.call(req);
-    ///                 async {
-    ///                     let mut res = fut.await?;
-    ///                     res.headers_mut().insert(
-    ///                        CONTENT_TYPE, HeaderValue::from_static("text/plain"),
-    ///                     );
-    ///                     Ok(res)
-    ///                 }
-    ///             })
-    ///             .route("/index.html", web::get().to(index)));
-    /// }
-    /// ```
-    pub fn wrap_fn<F, R, B1>(
+    /// See [`App::wrap_fn`](crate::App::wrap_fn) for examples and more details.
+    #[doc(alias = "middleware")]
+    #[doc(alias = "use")] // nodejs terminology
+    pub fn wrap_fn<F, R, B>(
         self,
         mw: F,
     ) -> Scope<
         impl ServiceFactory<
             ServiceRequest,
             Config = (),
-            Response = ServiceResponse<B1>,
+            Response = ServiceResponse<B>,
             Error = Error,
             InitError = (),
         >,
-        B1,
     >
     where
-        F: Fn(ServiceRequest, &T::Service) -> R + Clone,
-        R: Future<Output = Result<ServiceResponse<B1>, Error>>,
+        F: Fn(ServiceRequest, &T::Service) -> R + Clone + 'static,
+        R: Future<Output = Result<ServiceResponse<B>, Error>>,
+        B: MessageBody,
     {
         Scope {
             endpoint: apply_fn_factory(self.endpoint, mw),
@@ -394,20 +361,20 @@ where
             default: self.default,
             external: self.external,
             factory_ref: self.factory_ref,
-            _phantom: PhantomData,
         }
     }
 }
 
-impl<T> HttpServiceFactory for Scope<T>
+impl<T, B> HttpServiceFactory for Scope<T>
 where
     T: ServiceFactory<
             ServiceRequest,
             Config = (),
-            Response = ServiceResponse,
+            Response = ServiceResponse<B>,
             Error = Error,
             InitError = (),
         > + 'static,
+    B: MessageBody + 'static,
 {
     fn register(mut self, config: &mut AppService) {
         // update default resource if needed
@@ -457,7 +424,9 @@ where
                 req.add_data_container(Rc::clone(data));
             }
 
-            srv.call(req)
+            let fut = srv.call(req);
+
+            async { Ok(fut.await?.map_into_boxed_body()) }
         });
 
         // register final service
@@ -471,6 +440,7 @@ where
 }
 
 pub struct ScopeFactory {
+    #[allow(clippy::type_complexity)]
     services: Rc<
         [(
             ResourceDef,
@@ -539,12 +509,15 @@ impl Service<ServiceRequest> for ScopeService {
     fn call(&self, mut req: ServiceRequest) -> Self::Future {
         let res = self.router.recognize_fn(&mut req, |req, guards| {
             if let Some(ref guards) = guards {
-                for f in guards {
-                    if !f.check(req.head()) {
+                let guard_ctx = req.guard_ctx();
+
+                for guard in guards {
+                    if !guard.check(&guard_ctx) {
                         return false;
                     }
                 }
             }
+
             true
         });
 
@@ -593,7 +566,7 @@ mod tests {
             header::{self, HeaderValue},
             Method, StatusCode,
         },
-        middleware::{Compat, DefaultHeaders},
+        middleware::DefaultHeaders,
         service::{ServiceRequest, ServiceResponse},
         test::{assert_body_eq, call_service, init_service, read_body, TestRequest},
         web, App, HttpMessage, HttpRequest, HttpResponse,
@@ -601,30 +574,36 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn can_be_returned_from_fn() {
-        fn my_scope() -> Scope {
+        fn my_scope_1() -> Scope {
             web::scope("/test")
                 .service(web::resource("").route(web::get().to(|| async { "hello" })))
         }
 
-        fn my_compat_scope() -> Scope<
+        fn my_scope_2() -> Scope<
             impl ServiceFactory<
                 ServiceRequest,
                 Config = (),
-                Response = ServiceResponse,
+                Response = ServiceResponse<impl MessageBody>,
                 Error = Error,
                 InitError = (),
             >,
         > {
             web::scope("/test-compat")
-                // .wrap_fn(|req, srv| {
-                //     let fut = srv.call(req);
-                //     async { Ok(fut.await?.map_into_right_body::<()>()) }
-                // })
-                .wrap(Compat::new(DefaultHeaders::new()))
+                .wrap_fn(|req, srv| {
+                    let fut = srv.call(req);
+                    async { Ok(fut.await?.map_into_right_body::<()>()) }
+                })
                 .service(web::resource("").route(web::get().to(|| async { "hello" })))
         }
 
-        App::new().service(my_scope()).service(my_compat_scope());
+        fn my_scope_3() -> impl HttpServiceFactory {
+            my_scope_2()
+        }
+
+        App::new()
+            .service(my_scope_1())
+            .service(my_scope_2())
+            .service(my_scope_3());
     }
 
     #[actix_rt::test]
@@ -980,6 +959,29 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
+    #[actix_rt::test]
+    async fn test_middleware_body_type() {
+        // Compile test that Scope accepts any body type; test for `EitherBody`
+        let srv = init_service(
+            App::new().service(
+                web::scope("app")
+                    .wrap_fn(|req, srv| {
+                        let fut = srv.call(req);
+                        async { Ok(fut.await?.map_into_right_body::<()>()) }
+                    })
+                    .service(web::resource("/test").route(web::get().to(|| async { "hello" }))),
+            ),
+        )
+        .await;
+
+        // test if `MessageBody::try_into_bytes()` is preserved across scope layer
+        use actix_http::body::MessageBody as _;
+        let req = TestRequest::with_uri("/app/test").to_request();
+        let resp = call_service(&srv, req).await;
+        let body = resp.into_body();
+        assert_eq!(body.try_into_bytes().unwrap(), b"hello".as_ref());
+    }
+
     #[actix_rt::test]
     async fn test_middleware_fn() {
         let srv = init_service(
diff --git a/src/server.rs b/src/server.rs
index b2ff423f1..ed0c965b3 100644
--- a/src/server.rs
+++ b/src/server.rs
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ where
     backlog: u32,
     sockets: Vec<Socket>,
     builder: ServerBuilder,
+    #[allow(clippy::type_complexity)]
     on_connect_fn: Option<Arc<dyn Fn(&dyn Any, &mut Extensions) + Send + Sync>>,
     _phantom: PhantomData<(S, B)>,
 }
diff --git a/src/service.rs b/src/service.rs
index 9ccf5274d..f15cbfc9f 100644
--- a/src/service.rs
+++ b/src/service.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ use std::{
 use actix_http::{
     body::{BoxBody, EitherBody, MessageBody},
     header::HeaderMap,
-    Extensions, HttpMessage, Method, Payload, PayloadStream, RequestHead, Response,
+    BoxedPayloadStream, Extensions, HttpMessage, Method, Payload, RequestHead, Response,
     ResponseHead, StatusCode, Uri, Version,
 };
 use actix_router::{IntoPatterns, Path, Patterns, Resource, ResourceDef, Url};
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ use cookie::{Cookie, ParseError as CookieParseError};
 use crate::{
     config::{AppConfig, AppService},
     dev::ensure_leading_slash,
-    guard::Guard,
+    guard::{Guard, GuardContext},
     info::ConnectionInfo,
     rmap::ResourceMap,
     Error, HttpRequest, HttpResponse,
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ impl ServiceRequest {
         self.head().uri.path()
     }
 
-    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::query_string`](super::HttpRequest::query_string()).
+    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::query_string`].
     #[inline]
     pub fn query_string(&self) -> &str {
         self.req.query_string()
@@ -208,13 +208,13 @@ impl ServiceRequest {
         self.req.match_info()
     }
 
-    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::match_name`](super::HttpRequest::match_name()).
+    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::match_name`].
     #[inline]
     pub fn match_name(&self) -> Option<&str> {
         self.req.match_name()
     }
 
-    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::match_pattern`](super::HttpRequest::match_pattern()).
+    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::match_pattern`].
     #[inline]
     pub fn match_pattern(&self) -> Option<String> {
         self.req.match_pattern()
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ impl ServiceRequest {
         self.req.app_config()
     }
 
-    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::app_data`](super::HttpRequest::app_data()).
+    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::app_data`].
     #[inline]
     pub fn app_data<T: 'static>(&self) -> Option<&T> {
         for container in self.req.inner.app_data.iter().rev() {
@@ -250,19 +250,33 @@ impl ServiceRequest {
         None
     }
 
-    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::conn_data`](super::HttpRequest::conn_data()).
+    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::conn_data`].
     #[inline]
     pub fn conn_data<T: 'static>(&self) -> Option<&T> {
         self.req.conn_data()
     }
 
+    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::req_data`].
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn req_data(&self) -> Ref<'_, Extensions> {
+        self.req.req_data()
+    }
+
+    /// Counterpart to [`HttpRequest::req_data_mut`].
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn req_data_mut(&self) -> RefMut<'_, Extensions> {
+        self.req.req_data_mut()
+    }
+
     #[cfg(feature = "cookies")]
+    #[inline]
     pub fn cookies(&self) -> Result<Ref<'_, Vec<Cookie<'static>>>, CookieParseError> {
         self.req.cookies()
     }
 
     /// Return request cookie.
     #[cfg(feature = "cookies")]
+    #[inline]
     pub fn cookie(&self, name: &str) -> Option<Cookie<'static>> {
         self.req.cookie(name)
     }
@@ -283,17 +297,27 @@ impl ServiceRequest {
             .app_data
             .push(extensions);
     }
+
+    /// Creates a context object for use with a [guard](crate::guard).
+    ///
+    /// Useful if you are implementing
+    #[inline]
+    pub fn guard_ctx(&self) -> GuardContext<'_> {
+        GuardContext { req: self }
+    }
 }
 
-impl Resource<Url> for ServiceRequest {
+impl Resource for ServiceRequest {
+    type Path = Url;
+
     #[inline]
-    fn resource_path(&mut self) -> &mut Path<Url> {
+    fn resource_path(&mut self) -> &mut Path<Self::Path> {
         self.match_info_mut()
     }
 }
 
 impl HttpMessage for ServiceRequest {
-    type Stream = PayloadStream;
+    type Stream = BoxedPayloadStream;
 
     #[inline]
     /// Returns Request's headers.
diff --git a/src/test/test_request.rs b/src/test/test_request.rs
index fd3355ef3..fc42253d7 100644
--- a/src/test/test_request.rs
+++ b/src/test/test_request.rs
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ impl TestRequest {
         self
     }
 
-    /// Set HTTP Uri of this request
+    /// Set HTTP URI of this request
     pub fn uri(mut self, path: &str) -> Self {
         self.req.uri(path);
         self
@@ -174,25 +174,28 @@ impl TestRequest {
     }
 
     /// Set request payload.
-    pub fn set_payload<B: Into<Bytes>>(mut self, data: B) -> Self {
+    pub fn set_payload(mut self, data: impl Into<Bytes>) -> Self {
         self.req.set_payload(data);
         self
     }
 
-    /// Serialize `data` to a URL encoded form and set it as the request payload. The `Content-Type`
-    /// header is set to `application/x-www-form-urlencoded`.
-    pub fn set_form<T: Serialize>(mut self, data: &T) -> Self {
-        let bytes = serde_urlencoded::to_string(data)
+    /// Serialize `data` to a URL encoded form and set it as the request payload.
+    ///
+    /// The `Content-Type` header is set to `application/x-www-form-urlencoded`.
+    pub fn set_form(mut self, data: impl Serialize) -> Self {
+        let bytes = serde_urlencoded::to_string(&data)
             .expect("Failed to serialize test data as a urlencoded form");
         self.req.set_payload(bytes);
         self.req.insert_header(ContentType::form_url_encoded());
         self
     }
 
-    /// Serialize `data` to JSON and set it as the request payload. The `Content-Type` header is
-    /// set to `application/json`.
-    pub fn set_json<T: Serialize>(mut self, data: &T) -> Self {
-        let bytes = serde_json::to_string(data).expect("Failed to serialize test data to json");
+    /// Serialize `data` to JSON and set it as the request payload.
+    ///
+    /// The `Content-Type` header is set to `application/json`.
+    pub fn set_json(mut self, data: impl Serialize) -> Self {
+        let bytes =
+            serde_json::to_string(&data).expect("Failed to serialize test data to json");
         self.req.set_payload(bytes);
         self.req.insert_header(ContentType::json());
         self
diff --git a/src/test/test_utils.rs b/src/test/test_utils.rs
index 02d4c9bf3..8207ce270 100644
--- a/src/test/test_utils.rs
+++ b/src/test/test_utils.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use std::fmt;
+use std::error::Error as StdError;
 
 use actix_http::Request;
 use actix_service::IntoServiceFactory;
@@ -135,7 +135,6 @@ pub async fn call_and_read_body<S, B>(app: &S, req: Request) -> Bytes
 where
     S: Service<Request, Response = ServiceResponse<B>, Error = Error>,
     B: MessageBody,
-    B::Error: fmt::Debug,
 {
     let res = call_service(app, req).await;
     read_body(res).await
@@ -147,7 +146,6 @@ pub async fn read_response<S, B>(app: &S, req: Request) -> Bytes
 where
     S: Service<Request, Response = ServiceResponse<B>, Error = Error>,
     B: MessageBody,
-    B::Error: fmt::Debug,
 {
     let res = call_service(app, req).await;
     read_body(res).await
@@ -186,11 +184,11 @@ where
 pub async fn read_body<B>(res: ServiceResponse<B>) -> Bytes
 where
     B: MessageBody,
-    B::Error: fmt::Debug,
 {
     let body = res.into_body();
     body::to_bytes(body)
         .await
+        .map_err(Into::<Box<dyn StdError>>::into)
         .expect("error reading test response body")
 }
 
@@ -240,7 +238,6 @@ where
 pub async fn read_body_json<T, B>(res: ServiceResponse<B>) -> T
 where
     B: MessageBody,
-    B::Error: fmt::Debug,
     T: DeserializeOwned,
 {
     let body = read_body(res).await;
@@ -300,7 +297,6 @@ pub async fn call_and_read_body_json<S, B, T>(app: &S, req: Request) -> T
 where
     S: Service<Request, Response = ServiceResponse<B>, Error = Error>,
     B: MessageBody,
-    B::Error: fmt::Debug,
     T: DeserializeOwned,
 {
     let res = call_service(app, req).await;
@@ -313,7 +309,6 @@ pub async fn read_response_json<S, B, T>(app: &S, req: Request) -> T
 where
     S: Service<Request, Response = ServiceResponse<B>, Error = Error>,
     B: MessageBody,
-    B::Error: fmt::Debug,
     T: DeserializeOwned,
 {
     call_and_read_body_json(app, req).await
@@ -325,7 +320,10 @@ mod tests {
     use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
     use super::*;
-    use crate::{http::header, test::TestRequest, web, App, HttpMessage, HttpResponse};
+    use crate::{
+        dev::ServiceRequest, http::header, test::TestRequest, web, App, HttpMessage,
+        HttpResponse,
+    };
 
     #[actix_rt::test]
     async fn test_request_methods() {
@@ -471,4 +469,37 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(&result.id, "12345");
         assert_eq!(&result.name, "User name");
     }
+
+    #[actix_rt::test]
+    #[allow(dead_code)]
+    async fn return_opaque_types() {
+        fn test_app() -> App<
+            impl ServiceFactory<
+                ServiceRequest,
+                Config = (),
+                Response = ServiceResponse<impl MessageBody>,
+                Error = crate::Error,
+                InitError = (),
+            >,
+        > {
+            App::new().service(web::resource("/people").route(
+                web::post().to(|person: web::Json<Person>| HttpResponse::Ok().json(person)),
+            ))
+        }
+
+        async fn test_service(
+        ) -> impl Service<Request, Response = ServiceResponse<impl MessageBody>, Error = crate::Error>
+        {
+            init_service(test_app()).await
+        }
+
+        async fn compile_test(mut req: Vec<Request>) {
+            let svc = test_service().await;
+            call_service(&svc, req.pop().unwrap()).await;
+            call_and_read_body(&svc, req.pop().unwrap()).await;
+            read_body(call_service(&svc, req.pop().unwrap()).await).await;
+            let _: String = call_and_read_body_json(&svc, req.pop().unwrap()).await;
+            let _: String = read_body_json(call_service(&svc, req.pop().unwrap()).await).await;
+        }
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/types/json.rs b/src/types/json.rs
index be6078b2b..8fdbfafa4 100644
--- a/src/types/json.rs
+++ b/src/types/json.rs
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use std::{
 };
 
 use bytes::BytesMut;
-use futures_core::{ready, stream::Stream as _};
+use futures_core::{ready, Stream as _};
 use serde::{de::DeserializeOwned, Serialize};
 
 use actix_http::Payload;
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ mod tests {
             .to_http_parts();
 
         let s = Json::<MyObject>::from_request(&req, &mut pl).await;
-        let resp = HttpResponse::from_error(s.err().unwrap());
+        let resp = HttpResponse::from_error(s.unwrap_err());
         assert_eq!(resp.status(), StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST);
 
         let body = body::to_bytes(resp.into_body()).await.unwrap();
diff --git a/src/types/mod.rs b/src/types/mod.rs
index 461d771eb..bab7c3bc0 100644
--- a/src/types/mod.rs
+++ b/src/types/mod.rs
@@ -1,19 +1,18 @@
 //! Common extractors and responders.
 
-// TODO: review visibility
 mod either;
-pub(crate) mod form;
+mod form;
 mod header;
-pub(crate) mod json;
+mod json;
 mod path;
-pub(crate) mod payload;
+mod payload;
 mod query;
-pub(crate) mod readlines;
+mod readlines;
 
-pub use self::either::{Either, EitherExtractError};
-pub use self::form::{Form, FormConfig};
+pub use self::either::Either;
+pub use self::form::{Form, FormConfig, UrlEncoded};
 pub use self::header::Header;
-pub use self::json::{Json, JsonConfig};
+pub use self::json::{Json, JsonBody, JsonConfig};
 pub use self::path::{Path, PathConfig};
 pub use self::payload::{Payload, PayloadConfig};
 pub use self::query::{Query, QueryConfig};
diff --git a/src/types/path.rs b/src/types/path.rs
index 4b60d27c0..c3efc22c0 100644
--- a/src/types/path.rs
+++ b/src/types/path.rs
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ use serde::de;
 use crate::{
     dev::Payload,
     error::{Error, ErrorNotFound, PathError},
+    web::Data,
     FromRequest, HttpRequest,
 };
 
@@ -102,6 +103,7 @@ where
     fn from_request(req: &HttpRequest, _: &mut Payload) -> Self::Future {
         let error_handler = req
             .app_data::<PathConfig>()
+            .or_else(|| req.app_data::<Data<PathConfig>>().map(Data::get_ref))
             .and_then(|c| c.err_handler.clone());
 
         ready(
@@ -113,6 +115,7 @@ where
                          Request path: {:?}",
                         req.path()
                     );
+
                     if let Some(error_handler) = error_handler {
                         let e = PathError::Deserialize(err);
                         (error_handler)(e, req)
@@ -135,6 +138,7 @@ where
 /// enum Folder {
 ///     #[serde(rename = "inbox")]
 ///     Inbox,
+///
 ///     #[serde(rename = "outbox")]
 ///     Outbox,
 /// }
@@ -144,19 +148,17 @@ where
 ///     format!("Selected folder: {:?}!", folder)
 /// }
 ///
-/// fn main() {
-///     let app = App::new().service(
-///         web::resource("/messages/{folder}")
-///             .app_data(PathConfig::default().error_handler(|err, req| {
-///                 error::InternalError::from_response(
-///                     err,
-///                     HttpResponse::Conflict().into(),
-///                 )
-///                 .into()
-///             }))
-///             .route(web::post().to(index)),
-///     );
-/// }
+/// let app = App::new().service(
+///     web::resource("/messages/{folder}")
+///         .app_data(PathConfig::default().error_handler(|err, req| {
+///             error::InternalError::from_response(
+///                 err,
+///                 HttpResponse::Conflict().into(),
+///             )
+///             .into()
+///         }))
+///         .route(web::post().to(index)),
+/// );
 /// ```
 #[derive(Clone, Default)]
 pub struct PathConfig {
@@ -164,7 +166,7 @@ pub struct PathConfig {
 }
 
 impl PathConfig {
-    /// Set custom error handler
+    /// Set custom error handler.
     pub fn error_handler<F>(mut self, f: F) -> Self
     where
         F: Fn(PathError, &HttpRequest) -> Error + Send + Sync + 'static,
@@ -283,6 +285,18 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(res[1], "32".to_owned());
     }
 
+    #[actix_rt::test]
+    async fn paths_decoded() {
+        let resource = ResourceDef::new("/{key}/{value}");
+        let mut req = TestRequest::with_uri("/na%2Bme/us%2Fer%251").to_srv_request();
+        resource.capture_match_info(req.match_info_mut());
+
+        let (req, mut pl) = req.into_parts();
+        let path_items = Path::<MyStruct>::from_request(&req, &mut pl).await.unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(path_items.key, "na+me");
+        assert_eq!(path_items.value, "us/er%1");
+    }
+
     #[actix_rt::test]
     async fn test_custom_err_handler() {
         let (req, mut pl) = TestRequest::with_uri("/name/user1/")
diff --git a/src/types/payload.rs b/src/types/payload.rs
index 73987def5..d2ab29639 100644
--- a/src/types/payload.rs
+++ b/src/types/payload.rs
@@ -248,6 +248,7 @@ impl PayloadConfig {
                 }
             }
         }
+
         Ok(())
     }
 
diff --git a/src/web.rs b/src/web.rs
index 042b8a008..4858600af 100644
--- a/src/web.rs
+++ b/src/web.rs
@@ -1,14 +1,13 @@
 //! Essentials helper functions and types for application registration.
 
-use std::{error::Error as StdError, future::Future};
+use std::future::Future;
 
-use actix_http::Method;
 use actix_router::IntoPatterns;
 pub use bytes::{Buf, BufMut, Bytes, BytesMut};
 
 use crate::{
-    body::MessageBody, error::BlockingError, extract::FromRequest, handler::Handler,
-    resource::Resource, route::Route, scope::Scope, service::WebService, Responder,
+    error::BlockingError, http::Method, service::WebService, FromRequest, Handler, Resource,
+    Responder, Route, Scope,
 };
 
 pub use crate::config::ServiceConfig;
@@ -52,11 +51,16 @@ pub fn resource<T: IntoPatterns>(path: T) -> Resource {
 /// Scopes collect multiple paths under a common path prefix. The scope's path can contain dynamic
 /// path segments.
 ///
+/// # Avoid Trailing Slashes
+/// Avoid using trailing slashes in the scope prefix (e.g., `web::scope("/scope/")`). It will almost
+/// certainly not have the expected behavior. See the [documentation on resource definitions][pat]
+/// to understand why this is the case and how to correctly construct scope/prefix definitions.
+///
 /// # Examples
 /// In this example, three routes are set up (and will handle any method):
-///  * `/{project_id}/path1`
-///  * `/{project_id}/path2`
-///  * `/{project_id}/path3`
+/// - `/{project_id}/path1`
+/// - `/{project_id}/path2`
+/// - `/{project_id}/path3`
 ///
 /// ```
 /// use actix_web::{web, App, HttpResponse};
@@ -68,6 +72,8 @@ pub fn resource<T: IntoPatterns>(path: T) -> Resource {
 ///         .service(web::resource("/path3").to(|| HttpResponse::MethodNotAllowed()))
 /// );
 /// ```
+///
+/// [pat]: crate::dev::ResourceDef#prefix-resources
 pub fn scope(path: &str) -> Scope {
     Scope::new(path)
 }
@@ -79,23 +85,21 @@ pub fn route() -> Route {
 
 macro_rules! method_route {
     ($method_fn:ident, $method_const:ident) => {
-        paste::paste! {
-            #[doc = " Creates a new route with `" $method_const "` method guard."]
-            ///
-            /// # Examples
-            #[doc = " In this example, one `" $method_const " /{project_id}` route is set up:"]
-            /// ```
-            /// use actix_web::{web, App, HttpResponse};
-            ///
-            /// let app = App::new().service(
-            ///     web::resource("/{project_id}")
-            #[doc = "         .route(web::" $method_fn "().to(|| HttpResponse::Ok()))"]
-            ///
-            /// );
-            /// ```
-            pub fn $method_fn() -> Route {
-                method(Method::$method_const)
-            }
+        #[doc = concat!(" Creates a new route with `", stringify!($method_const), "` method guard.")]
+        ///
+        /// # Examples
+        #[doc = concat!(" In this example, one `", stringify!($method_const), " /{project_id}` route is set up:")]
+        /// ```
+        /// use actix_web::{web, App, HttpResponse};
+        ///
+        /// let app = App::new().service(
+        ///     web::resource("/{project_id}")
+        #[doc = concat!("         .route(web::", stringify!($method_fn), "().to(|| HttpResponse::Ok()))")]
+        ///
+        /// );
+        /// ```
+        pub fn $method_fn() -> Route {
+            method(Method::$method_const)
         }
     };
 }
@@ -139,14 +143,11 @@ pub fn method(method: Method) -> Route {
 ///         web::to(index))
 /// );
 /// ```
-pub fn to<F, I, R>(handler: F) -> Route
+pub fn to<F, Args>(handler: F) -> Route
 where
-    F: Handler<I, R>,
-    I: FromRequest + 'static,
-    R: Future + 'static,
-    R::Output: Responder + 'static,
-    <R::Output as Responder>::Body: MessageBody + 'static,
-    <<R::Output as Responder>::Body as MessageBody>::Error: Into<Box<dyn StdError + 'static>>,
+    F: Handler<Args>,
+    Args: FromRequest + 'static,
+    F::Output: Responder + 'static,
 {
     Route::new().to(handler)
 }
diff --git a/tests/compression.rs b/tests/compression.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..88c462f60
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/compression.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,307 @@
+use actix_http::ContentEncoding;
+use actix_web::{
+    http::{header, StatusCode},
+    middleware::Compress,
+    web, App, HttpResponse,
+};
+use bytes::Bytes;
+
+mod utils;
+
+static LOREM: &[u8] = include_bytes!("fixtures/lorem.txt");
+static LOREM_GZIP: &[u8] = include_bytes!("fixtures/lorem.txt.gz");
+static LOREM_BR: &[u8] = include_bytes!("fixtures/lorem.txt.br");
+static LOREM_ZSTD: &[u8] = include_bytes!("fixtures/lorem.txt.zst");
+static LOREM_XZ: &[u8] = include_bytes!("fixtures/lorem.txt.xz");
+
+macro_rules! test_server {
+    () => {
+        actix_test::start(|| {
+            App::new()
+                .wrap(Compress::default())
+                .route("/static", web::to(|| HttpResponse::Ok().body(LOREM)))
+                .route(
+                    "/static-gzip",
+                    web::to(|| {
+                        HttpResponse::Ok()
+                            // signal to compressor that content should not be altered
+                            // signal to client that content is encoded
+                            .insert_header(ContentEncoding::Gzip)
+                            .body(LOREM_GZIP)
+                    }),
+                )
+                .route(
+                    "/static-br",
+                    web::to(|| {
+                        HttpResponse::Ok()
+                            // signal to compressor that content should not be altered
+                            // signal to client that content is encoded
+                            .insert_header(ContentEncoding::Brotli)
+                            .body(LOREM_BR)
+                    }),
+                )
+                .route(
+                    "/static-zstd",
+                    web::to(|| {
+                        HttpResponse::Ok()
+                            // signal to compressor that content should not be altered
+                            // signal to client that content is encoded
+                            .insert_header(ContentEncoding::Zstd)
+                            .body(LOREM_ZSTD)
+                    }),
+                )
+                .route(
+                    "/static-xz",
+                    web::to(|| {
+                        HttpResponse::Ok()
+                            // signal to compressor that content should not be altered
+                            // signal to client that content is encoded as 7zip
+                            .insert_header((header::CONTENT_ENCODING, "xz"))
+                            .body(LOREM_XZ)
+                    }),
+                )
+                .route(
+                    "/echo",
+                    web::to(|body: Bytes| HttpResponse::Ok().body(body)),
+                )
+        })
+    };
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn negotiate_encoding_identity() {
+    let srv = test_server!();
+
+    let req = srv
+        .post("/static")
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "identity"))
+        .send();
+
+    let mut res = req.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+    assert_eq!(res.headers().get(header::CONTENT_ENCODING), None);
+
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(LOREM));
+
+    srv.stop().await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn negotiate_encoding_gzip() {
+    let srv = test_server!();
+
+    let req = srv
+        .post("/static")
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "gzip,br,zstd"))
+        .send();
+
+    let mut res = req.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+    assert_eq!(res.headers().get(header::CONTENT_ENCODING).unwrap(), "gzip");
+
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(LOREM));
+
+    let mut res = srv
+        .post("/static")
+        .no_decompress()
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "gzip,br,zstd"))
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(utils::gzip::decode(bytes), LOREM);
+
+    srv.stop().await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn negotiate_encoding_br() {
+    let srv = test_server!();
+
+    let req = srv
+        .post("/static")
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "br,zstd,gzip"))
+        .send();
+
+    let mut res = req.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+    assert_eq!(res.headers().get(header::CONTENT_ENCODING).unwrap(), "br");
+
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(LOREM));
+
+    let mut res = srv
+        .post("/static")
+        .no_decompress()
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "br,zstd,gzip"))
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(utils::brotli::decode(bytes), LOREM);
+
+    srv.stop().await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn negotiate_encoding_zstd() {
+    let srv = test_server!();
+
+    let req = srv
+        .post("/static")
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "zstd,gzip,br"))
+        .send();
+
+    let mut res = req.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+    assert_eq!(res.headers().get(header::CONTENT_ENCODING).unwrap(), "zstd");
+
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(LOREM));
+
+    let mut res = srv
+        .post("/static")
+        .no_decompress()
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "zstd,gzip,br"))
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(utils::zstd::decode(bytes), LOREM);
+
+    srv.stop().await;
+}
+
+#[cfg(all(
+    feature = "compress-brotli",
+    feature = "compress-gzip",
+    feature = "compress-zstd",
+))]
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn client_encoding_prefers_brotli() {
+    let srv = test_server!();
+
+    let req = srv.post("/static").send();
+
+    let mut res = req.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+    assert_eq!(res.headers().get(header::CONTENT_ENCODING).unwrap(), "br");
+
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(LOREM));
+
+    srv.stop().await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn gzip_no_decompress() {
+    let srv = test_server!();
+
+    let req = srv
+        .post("/static-gzip")
+        // don't decompress response body
+        .no_decompress()
+        // signal that we want a compressed body
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "gzip,br,zstd"))
+        .send();
+
+    let mut res = req.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+    assert_eq!(res.headers().get(header::CONTENT_ENCODING).unwrap(), "gzip");
+
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(LOREM_GZIP));
+
+    srv.stop().await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn manual_custom_coding() {
+    let srv = test_server!();
+
+    let req = srv
+        .post("/static-xz")
+        // don't decompress response body
+        .no_decompress()
+        // signal that we want a compressed body
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "xz"))
+        .send();
+
+    let mut res = req.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+    assert_eq!(res.headers().get(header::CONTENT_ENCODING).unwrap(), "xz");
+
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(LOREM_XZ));
+
+    srv.stop().await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn deny_identity_coding() {
+    let srv = test_server!();
+
+    let req = srv
+        .post("/static")
+        // signal that we want a compressed body
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "br, identity;q=0"))
+        .send();
+
+    let mut res = req.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+    assert_eq!(res.headers().get(header::CONTENT_ENCODING).unwrap(), "br");
+
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(LOREM));
+
+    srv.stop().await;
+}
+
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn deny_identity_coding_no_decompress() {
+    let srv = test_server!();
+
+    let req = srv
+        .post("/static-br")
+        // don't decompress response body
+        .no_decompress()
+        // signal that we want a compressed body
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "br, identity;q=0"))
+        .send();
+
+    let mut res = req.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+    assert_eq!(res.headers().get(header::CONTENT_ENCODING).unwrap(), "br");
+
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(LOREM_BR));
+
+    srv.stop().await;
+}
+
+// TODO: fix test
+// currently fails because negotiation doesn't consider unknown encoding types
+#[ignore]
+#[actix_rt::test]
+async fn deny_identity_for_manual_coding() {
+    let srv = test_server!();
+
+    let req = srv
+        .post("/static-xz")
+        // don't decompress response body
+        .no_decompress()
+        // signal that we want a compressed body
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "xz, identity;q=0"))
+        .send();
+
+    let mut res = req.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+    assert_eq!(res.headers().get(header::CONTENT_ENCODING).unwrap(), "xz");
+
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(LOREM_XZ));
+
+    srv.stop().await;
+}
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/lorem.txt b/tests/fixtures/lorem.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a2abb6432
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/fixtures/lorem.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin interdum tincidunt lacus, sed tempor lorem consectetur et. Pellentesque et egestas sem, at cursus massa. Nunc feugiat elit sit amet ipsum commodo luctus. Proin auctor dignissim pharetra. Integer iaculis quam a tellus auctor, vitae auctor nisl viverra. Nullam consequat maximus porttitor. Pellentesque tortor enim, molestie at varius non, tempor non nibh. Suspendisse tempus erat lorem, vel faucibus magna blandit vel. Sed pellentesque ligula augue, vitae fermentum eros blandit et. Cras dignissim in massa ut varius. Vestibulum commodo nunc sit amet pellentesque dignissim.
+
+Donec imperdiet blandit lobortis. Suspendisse fringilla nunc quis venenatis tempor. Nunc tempor sed erat sed convallis. Pellentesque aliquet elit lectus, quis vulputate arcu pharetra sed. Etiam laoreet aliquet arcu cursus vehicula. Maecenas odio odio, elementum faucibus sollicitudin vitae, pellentesque ac purus. Donec venenatis faucibus lorem, et finibus lacus tincidunt vitae. Quisque laoreet metus sapien, vitae euismod mauris lobortis malesuada. Integer sit amet elementum turpis. Maecenas ex mauris, dapibus eu placerat vitae, rutrum convallis enim. Nulla vitae orci ultricies, sagittis turpis et, lacinia dui. Praesent egestas urna turpis, sit amet feugiat mauris tristique eu. Quisque id tempor libero. Donec ullamcorper dapibus lorem, vel consequat risus congue a.
+
+Nullam dignissim ut lectus vitae tempor. Pellentesque ut odio fringilla, volutpat mi et, vulputate tellus. Fusce eget diam non odio tincidunt viverra eu vel augue. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia curae; Nullam sed eleifend purus, vitae aliquam orci. Cras fringilla justo eget tempus bibendum. Phasellus venenatis, odio nec pulvinar commodo, quam neque lacinia turpis, ut rutrum tortor massa eu nulla. Vivamus tincidunt ut lectus a gravida. Donec varius mi quis enim interdum ultrices. Sed aliquam consectetur nisi vitae viverra. Praesent nec ligula egestas, porta lectus sed, consectetur augue.
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/lorem.txt.br b/tests/fixtures/lorem.txt.br
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e12d7510e
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/fixtures/lorem.txt.br differ
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/lorem.txt.gz b/tests/fixtures/lorem.txt.gz
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d3a0664a3
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/fixtures/lorem.txt.gz differ
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/lorem.txt.xz b/tests/fixtures/lorem.txt.xz
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bb45fe753
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/fixtures/lorem.txt.xz differ
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/lorem.txt.zst b/tests/fixtures/lorem.txt.zst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..13bea6d7a
Binary files /dev/null and b/tests/fixtures/lorem.txt.zst differ
diff --git a/tests/test_server.rs b/tests/test_server.rs
index 9b7ef6e1b..987e51a65 100644
--- a/tests/test_server.rs
+++ b/tests/test_server.rs
@@ -11,52 +11,26 @@ use std::{
 };
 
 use actix_web::{
-    dev::BodyEncoding,
-    http::header::{
-        ContentEncoding, ACCEPT_ENCODING, CONTENT_ENCODING, CONTENT_LENGTH, TRANSFER_ENCODING,
-    },
+    cookie::{Cookie, CookieBuilder},
+    http::{header, StatusCode},
     middleware::{Compress, NormalizePath, TrailingSlash},
     web, App, Error, HttpResponse,
 };
-use brotli2::write::{BrotliDecoder, BrotliEncoder};
 use bytes::Bytes;
-use cookie::{Cookie, CookieBuilder};
-use flate2::{
-    read::GzDecoder,
-    write::{GzEncoder, ZlibDecoder, ZlibEncoder},
-    Compression,
-};
 use futures_core::ready;
+use rand::{distributions::Alphanumeric, Rng as _};
+
 #[cfg(feature = "openssl")]
 use openssl::{
     pkey::PKey,
     ssl::{SslAcceptor, SslMethod},
     x509::X509,
 };
-use rand::{distributions::Alphanumeric, Rng};
-use zstd::stream::{read::Decoder as ZstdDecoder, write::Encoder as ZstdEncoder};
 
-const STR: &str = "Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World \
-                   Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World Hello World";
+mod utils;
+
+const S: &str = "Hello World ";
+const STR: &str = const_str::repeat!(S, 100);
 
 #[cfg(feature = "openssl")]
 fn openssl_config() -> SslAcceptor {
@@ -122,165 +96,86 @@ async fn test_body() {
         App::new().service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(|| HttpResponse::Ok().body(STR))))
     });
 
-    let mut response = srv.get("/").send().await.unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+    let mut res = srv.get("/").send().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
     assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
 
     srv.stop().await;
 }
 
-#[actix_rt::test]
-async fn test_body_gzip() {
-    let srv = actix_test::start_with(actix_test::config().h1(), || {
-        App::new()
-            .wrap(Compress::new(ContentEncoding::Gzip))
-            .service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(|| HttpResponse::Ok().body(STR))))
-    });
+// enforcing an encoding per-response is removed
+// #[actix_rt::test]
+// async fn test_body_encoding_override() {
+//     let srv = actix_test::start_with(actix_test::config().h1(), || {
+//         App::new()
+//             .wrap(Compress::default())
+//             .service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(|| {
+//                 HttpResponse::Ok()
+//                     .encode_with(ContentEncoding::Deflate)
+//                     .body(STR)
+//             })))
+//             .service(web::resource("/raw").route(web::to(|| {
+//                 let mut res = HttpResponse::with_body(actix_web::http::StatusCode::OK, STR);
+//                 res.encode_with(ContentEncoding::Deflate);
+//                 res.map_into_boxed_body()
+//             })))
+//     });
 
-    let mut response = srv
-        .get("/")
-        .no_decompress()
-        .append_header((ACCEPT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
-        .send()
-        .await
-        .unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+//     // Builder
+//     let mut res = srv
+//         .get("/")
+//         .no_decompress()
+//         .append_header((ACCEPT_ENCODING, "deflate"))
+//         .send()
+//         .await
+//         .unwrap();
+//     assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
+//     let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+//     assert_eq!(utils::deflate::decode(bytes), STR.as_bytes());
 
-    // decode
-    let mut e = GzDecoder::new(&bytes[..]);
-    let mut dec = Vec::new();
-    e.read_to_end(&mut dec).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(Bytes::from(dec), Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
+//     // Raw Response
+//     let mut res = srv
+//         .request(actix_web::http::Method::GET, srv.url("/raw"))
+//         .no_decompress()
+//         .append_header((ACCEPT_ENCODING, "deflate"))
+//         .send()
+//         .await
+//         .unwrap();
+//     assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    srv.stop().await;
-}
+//     let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+//     assert_eq!(utils::deflate::decode(bytes), STR.as_bytes());
+
+//     srv.stop().await;
+// }
 
 #[actix_rt::test]
-async fn test_body_gzip2() {
-    let srv = actix_test::start_with(actix_test::config().h1(), || {
-        App::new()
-            .wrap(Compress::new(ContentEncoding::Gzip))
-            .service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(|| HttpResponse::Ok().body(STR))))
-    });
-
-    let mut response = srv
-        .get("/")
-        .no_decompress()
-        .append_header((ACCEPT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
-        .send()
-        .await
-        .unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
-
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
-
-    // decode
-    let mut e = GzDecoder::new(&bytes[..]);
-    let mut dec = Vec::new();
-    e.read_to_end(&mut dec).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(Bytes::from(dec), Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
-
-    srv.stop().await;
-}
-
-#[actix_rt::test]
-async fn test_body_encoding_override() {
-    let srv = actix_test::start_with(actix_test::config().h1(), || {
-        App::new()
-            .wrap(Compress::new(ContentEncoding::Gzip))
-            .service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(|| {
-                HttpResponse::Ok()
-                    .encoding(ContentEncoding::Deflate)
-                    .body(STR)
-            })))
-            .service(web::resource("/raw").route(web::to(|| {
-                let mut response =
-                    HttpResponse::with_body(actix_web::http::StatusCode::OK, STR);
-                response.encoding(ContentEncoding::Deflate);
-                response.map_into_boxed_body()
-            })))
-    });
-
-    // Builder
-    let mut response = srv
-        .get("/")
-        .no_decompress()
-        .append_header((ACCEPT_ENCODING, "deflate"))
-        .send()
-        .await
-        .unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
-
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
-
-    // decode
-    let mut e = ZlibDecoder::new(Vec::new());
-    e.write_all(bytes.as_ref()).unwrap();
-    let dec = e.finish().unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(Bytes::from(dec), Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
-
-    // Raw Response
-    let mut response = srv
-        .request(actix_web::http::Method::GET, srv.url("/raw"))
-        .no_decompress()
-        .append_header((ACCEPT_ENCODING, "deflate"))
-        .send()
-        .await
-        .unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
-
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
-
-    // decode
-    let mut e = ZlibDecoder::new(Vec::new());
-    e.write_all(bytes.as_ref()).unwrap();
-    let dec = e.finish().unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(Bytes::from(dec), Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
-
-    srv.stop().await;
-}
-
-#[actix_rt::test]
-async fn test_body_gzip_large() {
+async fn body_gzip_large() {
     let data = STR.repeat(10);
     let srv_data = data.clone();
 
     let srv = actix_test::start_with(actix_test::config().h1(), move || {
         let data = srv_data.clone();
-        App::new()
-            .wrap(Compress::new(ContentEncoding::Gzip))
-            .service(
-                web::resource("/")
-                    .route(web::to(move || HttpResponse::Ok().body(data.clone()))),
-            )
+
+        App::new().wrap(Compress::default()).service(
+            web::resource("/").route(web::to(move || HttpResponse::Ok().body(data.clone()))),
+        )
     });
 
-    let mut response = srv
+    let mut res = srv
         .get("/")
         .no_decompress()
-        .append_header((ACCEPT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
+        .append_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
         .send()
         .await
         .unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
-
-    // decode
-    let mut e = GzDecoder::new(&bytes[..]);
-    let mut dec = Vec::new();
-    e.read_to_end(&mut dec).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(Bytes::from(dec), Bytes::from(data));
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(utils::gzip::decode(bytes), data.as_bytes());
 
     srv.stop().await;
 }
@@ -296,32 +191,22 @@ async fn test_body_gzip_large_random() {
 
     let srv = actix_test::start_with(actix_test::config().h1(), move || {
         let data = srv_data.clone();
-        App::new()
-            .wrap(Compress::new(ContentEncoding::Gzip))
-            .service(
-                web::resource("/")
-                    .route(web::to(move || HttpResponse::Ok().body(data.clone()))),
-            )
+        App::new().wrap(Compress::default()).service(
+            web::resource("/").route(web::to(move || HttpResponse::Ok().body(data.clone()))),
+        )
     });
 
-    let mut response = srv
+    let mut res = srv
         .get("/")
         .no_decompress()
-        .append_header((ACCEPT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
+        .append_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
         .send()
         .await
         .unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
-
-    // decode
-    let mut e = GzDecoder::new(&bytes[..]);
-    let mut dec = Vec::new();
-    e.read_to_end(&mut dec).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(dec.len(), data.len());
-    assert_eq!(Bytes::from(dec), Bytes::from(data));
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(utils::gzip::decode(bytes), data.as_bytes());
 
     srv.stop().await;
 }
@@ -330,34 +215,28 @@ async fn test_body_gzip_large_random() {
 async fn test_body_chunked_implicit() {
     let srv = actix_test::start_with(actix_test::config().h1(), || {
         App::new()
-            .wrap(Compress::new(ContentEncoding::Gzip))
+            .wrap(Compress::default())
             .service(web::resource("/").route(web::get().to(move || {
                 HttpResponse::Ok()
                     .streaming(TestBody::new(Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()), 24))
             })))
     });
 
-    let mut response = srv
+    let mut res = srv
         .get("/")
         .no_decompress()
-        .append_header((ACCEPT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
+        .append_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
         .send()
         .await
         .unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
     assert_eq!(
-        response.headers().get(TRANSFER_ENCODING).unwrap(),
-        &b"chunked"[..]
+        res.headers().get(header::TRANSFER_ENCODING).unwrap(),
+        "chunked"
     );
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
-
-    // decode
-    let mut e = GzDecoder::new(&bytes[..]);
-    let mut dec = Vec::new();
-    e.read_to_end(&mut dec).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(Bytes::from(dec), Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(utils::gzip::decode(bytes), STR.as_bytes());
 
     srv.stop().await;
 }
@@ -366,32 +245,24 @@ async fn test_body_chunked_implicit() {
 async fn test_body_br_streaming() {
     let srv = actix_test::start_with(actix_test::config().h1(), || {
         App::new()
-            .wrap(Compress::new(ContentEncoding::Br))
+            .wrap(Compress::default())
             .service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(move || {
                 HttpResponse::Ok()
                     .streaming(TestBody::new(Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()), 24))
             })))
     });
 
-    let mut response = srv
+    let mut res = srv
         .get("/")
-        .append_header((ACCEPT_ENCODING, "br"))
+        .append_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "br"))
         .no_decompress()
         .send()
         .await
         .unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
-    println!("TEST: {:?}", bytes.len());
-
-    // decode br
-    let mut e = BrotliDecoder::new(Vec::with_capacity(2048));
-    e.write_all(bytes.as_ref()).unwrap();
-    let dec = e.finish().unwrap();
-    println!("T: {:?}", Bytes::copy_from_slice(&dec));
-    assert_eq!(Bytes::from(dec), Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(utils::brotli::decode(bytes), STR.as_bytes());
 
     srv.stop().await;
 }
@@ -404,16 +275,13 @@ async fn test_head_binary() {
         )
     });
 
-    let mut response = srv.head("/").send().await.unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+    let mut res = srv.head("/").send().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    {
-        let len = response.headers().get(CONTENT_LENGTH).unwrap();
-        assert_eq!(format!("{}", STR.len()), len.to_str().unwrap());
-    }
+    let len = res.headers().get(header::CONTENT_LENGTH).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(format!("{}", STR.len()), len.to_str().unwrap());
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
     assert!(bytes.is_empty());
 
     srv.stop().await;
@@ -429,12 +297,11 @@ async fn test_no_chunking() {
         })))
     });
 
-    let mut response = srv.get("/").send().await.unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
-    assert!(!response.headers().contains_key(TRANSFER_ENCODING));
+    let mut res = srv.get("/").send().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
+    assert!(!res.headers().contains_key(header::TRANSFER_ENCODING));
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
     assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
 
     srv.stop().await;
@@ -444,27 +311,21 @@ async fn test_no_chunking() {
 async fn test_body_deflate() {
     let srv = actix_test::start_with(actix_test::config().h1(), || {
         App::new()
-            .wrap(Compress::new(ContentEncoding::Deflate))
+            .wrap(Compress::default())
             .service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(move || HttpResponse::Ok().body(STR))))
     });
 
-    // client request
-    let mut response = srv
+    let mut res = srv
         .get("/")
-        .append_header((ACCEPT_ENCODING, "deflate"))
+        .append_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "deflate"))
         .no_decompress()
         .send()
         .await
         .unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
-
-    let mut e = ZlibDecoder::new(Vec::new());
-    e.write_all(bytes.as_ref()).unwrap();
-    let dec = e.finish().unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(Bytes::from(dec), Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(utils::deflate::decode(bytes), STR.as_bytes());
 
     srv.stop().await;
 }
@@ -473,28 +334,21 @@ async fn test_body_deflate() {
 async fn test_body_brotli() {
     let srv = actix_test::start_with(actix_test::config().h1(), || {
         App::new()
-            .wrap(Compress::new(ContentEncoding::Br))
+            .wrap(Compress::default())
             .service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(move || HttpResponse::Ok().body(STR))))
     });
 
-    // client request
-    let mut response = srv
+    let mut res = srv
         .get("/")
-        .append_header((ACCEPT_ENCODING, "br"))
+        .append_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "br"))
         .no_decompress()
         .send()
         .await
         .unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
-
-    // decode brotli
-    let mut e = BrotliDecoder::new(Vec::with_capacity(2048));
-    e.write_all(bytes.as_ref()).unwrap();
-    let dec = e.finish().unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(Bytes::from(dec), Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(utils::brotli::decode(bytes), STR.as_bytes());
 
     srv.stop().await;
 }
@@ -503,28 +357,21 @@ async fn test_body_brotli() {
 async fn test_body_zstd() {
     let srv = actix_test::start_with(actix_test::config().h1(), || {
         App::new()
-            .wrap(Compress::new(ContentEncoding::Zstd))
+            .wrap(Compress::default())
             .service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(move || HttpResponse::Ok().body(STR))))
     });
 
-    // client request
-    let mut response = srv
+    let mut res = srv
         .get("/")
-        .append_header((ACCEPT_ENCODING, "zstd"))
+        .append_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "zstd"))
         .no_decompress()
         .send()
         .await
         .unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
-
-    // decode
-    let mut e = ZstdDecoder::new(&bytes[..]).unwrap();
-    let mut dec = Vec::new();
-    e.read_to_end(&mut dec).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(Bytes::from(dec), Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(utils::zstd::decode(bytes), STR.as_bytes());
 
     srv.stop().await;
 }
@@ -533,31 +380,24 @@ async fn test_body_zstd() {
 async fn test_body_zstd_streaming() {
     let srv = actix_test::start_with(actix_test::config().h1(), || {
         App::new()
-            .wrap(Compress::new(ContentEncoding::Zstd))
+            .wrap(Compress::default())
             .service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(move || {
                 HttpResponse::Ok()
                     .streaming(TestBody::new(Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()), 24))
             })))
     });
 
-    // client request
-    let mut response = srv
+    let mut res = srv
         .get("/")
-        .append_header((ACCEPT_ENCODING, "zstd"))
+        .append_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "zstd"))
         .no_decompress()
         .send()
         .await
         .unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
-
-    // decode
-    let mut e = ZstdDecoder::new(&bytes[..]).unwrap();
-    let mut dec = Vec::new();
-    e.read_to_end(&mut dec).unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(Bytes::from(dec), Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(utils::zstd::decode(bytes), STR.as_bytes());
 
     srv.stop().await;
 }
@@ -570,20 +410,14 @@ async fn test_zstd_encoding() {
         )
     });
 
-    let mut e = ZstdEncoder::new(Vec::new(), 5).unwrap();
-    e.write_all(STR.as_ref()).unwrap();
-    let enc = e.finish().unwrap();
-
-    // client request
     let request = srv
         .post("/")
-        .append_header((CONTENT_ENCODING, "zstd"))
-        .send_body(enc.clone());
-    let mut response = request.await.unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+        .append_header((header::CONTENT_ENCODING, "zstd"))
+        .send_body(utils::zstd::encode(STR));
+    let mut res = request.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
     assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
 
     srv.stop().await;
@@ -607,21 +441,15 @@ async fn test_zstd_encoding_large() {
         )
     });
 
-    let mut e = ZstdEncoder::new(Vec::new(), 5).unwrap();
-    e.write_all(data.as_ref()).unwrap();
-    let enc = e.finish().unwrap();
-
-    // client request
     let request = srv
         .post("/")
-        .append_header((CONTENT_ENCODING, "zstd"))
-        .send_body(enc.clone());
-    let mut response = request.await.unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+        .append_header((header::CONTENT_ENCODING, "zstd"))
+        .send_body(utils::zstd::encode(&data));
+    let mut res = request.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().limit(320_000).await.unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from(data));
+    let bytes = res.body().limit(320_000).await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(bytes, data.as_bytes());
 
     srv.stop().await;
 }
@@ -634,20 +462,14 @@ async fn test_encoding() {
         )
     });
 
-    // client request
-    let mut e = GzEncoder::new(Vec::new(), Compression::default());
-    e.write_all(STR.as_ref()).unwrap();
-    let enc = e.finish().unwrap();
-
     let request = srv
         .post("/")
-        .insert_header((CONTENT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
-        .send_body(enc.clone());
-    let mut response = request.await.unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+        .insert_header((header::CONTENT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
+        .send_body(utils::gzip::encode(STR));
+    let mut res = request.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
     assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
 
     srv.stop().await;
@@ -661,21 +483,15 @@ async fn test_gzip_encoding() {
         )
     });
 
-    // client request
-    let mut e = GzEncoder::new(Vec::new(), Compression::default());
-    e.write_all(STR.as_ref()).unwrap();
-    let enc = e.finish().unwrap();
-
     let request = srv
         .post("/")
-        .append_header((CONTENT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
-        .send_body(enc.clone());
-    let mut response = request.await.unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+        .append_header((header::CONTENT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
+        .send_body(utils::gzip::encode(STR));
+    let mut res = request.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(bytes, STR.as_bytes());
 
     srv.stop().await;
 }
@@ -689,21 +505,15 @@ async fn test_gzip_encoding_large() {
         )
     });
 
-    // client request
-    let mut e = GzEncoder::new(Vec::new(), Compression::default());
-    e.write_all(data.as_ref()).unwrap();
-    let enc = e.finish().unwrap();
-
-    let request = srv
+    let req = srv
         .post("/")
-        .append_header((CONTENT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
-        .send_body(enc.clone());
-    let mut response = request.await.unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+        .append_header((header::CONTENT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
+        .send_body(utils::gzip::encode(&data));
+    let mut res = req.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from(data));
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(bytes, data);
 
     srv.stop().await;
 }
@@ -722,22 +532,15 @@ async fn test_reading_gzip_encoding_large_random() {
         )
     });
 
-    // client request
-    let mut e = GzEncoder::new(Vec::new(), Compression::default());
-    e.write_all(data.as_ref()).unwrap();
-    let enc = e.finish().unwrap();
-
     let request = srv
         .post("/")
-        .append_header((CONTENT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
-        .send_body(enc.clone());
-    let mut response = request.await.unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+        .append_header((header::CONTENT_ENCODING, "gzip"))
+        .send_body(utils::gzip::encode(&data));
+    let mut res = request.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(bytes.len(), data.len());
-    assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from(data));
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(bytes, data.as_bytes());
 
     srv.stop().await;
 }
@@ -750,20 +553,14 @@ async fn test_reading_deflate_encoding() {
         )
     });
 
-    let mut e = ZlibEncoder::new(Vec::new(), Compression::default());
-    e.write_all(STR.as_ref()).unwrap();
-    let enc = e.finish().unwrap();
-
-    // client request
     let request = srv
         .post("/")
-        .append_header((CONTENT_ENCODING, "deflate"))
-        .send_body(enc.clone());
-    let mut response = request.await.unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+        .append_header((header::CONTENT_ENCODING, "deflate"))
+        .send_body(utils::deflate::encode(STR));
+    let mut res = request.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
     assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
 
     srv.stop().await;
@@ -778,20 +575,14 @@ async fn test_reading_deflate_encoding_large() {
         )
     });
 
-    let mut e = ZlibEncoder::new(Vec::new(), Compression::default());
-    e.write_all(data.as_ref()).unwrap();
-    let enc = e.finish().unwrap();
-
-    // client request
     let request = srv
         .post("/")
-        .append_header((CONTENT_ENCODING, "deflate"))
-        .send_body(enc.clone());
-    let mut response = request.await.unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+        .append_header((header::CONTENT_ENCODING, "deflate"))
+        .send_body(utils::deflate::encode(&data));
+    let mut res = request.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
     assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from(data));
 
     srv.stop().await;
@@ -811,20 +602,14 @@ async fn test_reading_deflate_encoding_large_random() {
         )
     });
 
-    let mut e = ZlibEncoder::new(Vec::new(), Compression::default());
-    e.write_all(data.as_ref()).unwrap();
-    let enc = e.finish().unwrap();
-
-    // client request
     let request = srv
         .post("/")
-        .append_header((CONTENT_ENCODING, "deflate"))
-        .send_body(enc.clone());
-    let mut response = request.await.unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+        .append_header((header::CONTENT_ENCODING, "deflate"))
+        .send_body(utils::deflate::encode(&data));
+    let mut res = request.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
     assert_eq!(bytes.len(), data.len());
     assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from(data));
 
@@ -839,20 +624,14 @@ async fn test_brotli_encoding() {
         )
     });
 
-    let mut e = BrotliEncoder::new(Vec::new(), 5);
-    e.write_all(STR.as_ref()).unwrap();
-    let enc = e.finish().unwrap();
-
-    // client request
     let request = srv
         .post("/")
-        .append_header((CONTENT_ENCODING, "br"))
-        .send_body(enc.clone());
-    let mut response = request.await.unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+        .append_header((header::CONTENT_ENCODING, "br"))
+        .send_body(utils::brotli::encode(STR));
+    let mut res = request.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
     assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from_static(STR.as_ref()));
 
     srv.stop().await;
@@ -876,20 +655,14 @@ async fn test_brotli_encoding_large() {
         )
     });
 
-    let mut e = BrotliEncoder::new(Vec::new(), 5);
-    e.write_all(data.as_ref()).unwrap();
-    let enc = e.finish().unwrap();
-
-    // client request
     let request = srv
         .post("/")
-        .append_header((CONTENT_ENCODING, "br"))
-        .send_body(enc.clone());
-    let mut response = request.await.unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+        .append_header((header::CONTENT_ENCODING, "br"))
+        .send_body(utils::brotli::encode(&data));
+    let mut res = request.await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().limit(320_000).await.unwrap();
+    let bytes = res.body().limit(320_000).await.unwrap();
     assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from(data));
 
     srv.stop().await;
@@ -898,32 +671,28 @@ async fn test_brotli_encoding_large() {
 #[cfg(feature = "openssl")]
 #[actix_rt::test]
 async fn test_brotli_encoding_large_openssl() {
+    use actix_web::http::header;
+
     let data = STR.repeat(10);
     let srv =
         actix_test::start_with(actix_test::config().openssl(openssl_config()), move || {
             App::new().service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(|bytes: Bytes| {
+                // echo decompressed request body back in response
                 HttpResponse::Ok()
-                    .encoding(ContentEncoding::Identity)
+                    .insert_header(header::ContentEncoding::Identity)
                     .body(bytes)
             })))
         });
 
-    // body
-    let mut enc = BrotliEncoder::new(Vec::new(), 3);
-    enc.write_all(data.as_ref()).unwrap();
-    let enc = enc.finish().unwrap();
-
-    // client request
-    let mut response = srv
+    let mut res = srv
         .post("/")
-        .append_header((actix_web::http::header::CONTENT_ENCODING, "br"))
-        .send_body(enc)
+        .append_header((header::CONTENT_ENCODING, "br"))
+        .send_body(utils::brotli::encode(&data))
         .await
         .unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-    // read response
-    let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
     assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from(data));
 
     srv.stop().await;
@@ -970,28 +739,25 @@ mod plus_rustls {
 
         let srv = actix_test::start_with(actix_test::config().rustls(tls_config()), || {
             App::new().service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(|bytes: Bytes| {
+                // echo decompressed request body back in response
                 HttpResponse::Ok()
-                    .encoding(ContentEncoding::Identity)
+                    .insert_header(header::ContentEncoding::Identity)
                     .body(bytes)
             })))
         });
 
-        // encode data
-        let mut e = ZlibEncoder::new(Vec::new(), Compression::default());
-        e.write_all(data.as_ref()).unwrap();
-        let enc = e.finish().unwrap();
-
-        // client request
         let req = srv
             .post("/")
-            .insert_header((actix_web::http::header::CONTENT_ENCODING, "deflate"))
-            .send_stream(TestBody::new(Bytes::from(enc), 1024));
+            .insert_header((header::CONTENT_ENCODING, "deflate"))
+            .send_stream(TestBody::new(
+                Bytes::from(utils::deflate::encode(&data)),
+                1024,
+            ));
 
-        let mut response = req.await.unwrap();
-        assert!(response.status().is_success());
+        let mut res = req.await.unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
-        // read response
-        let bytes = response.body().await.unwrap();
+        let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
         assert_eq!(bytes.len(), data.len());
         assert_eq!(bytes, Bytes::from(data));
 
@@ -1084,8 +850,8 @@ async fn test_normalize() {
             .service(web::resource("/one").route(web::to(HttpResponse::Ok)))
     });
 
-    let response = srv.get("/one/").send().await.unwrap();
-    assert!(response.status().is_success());
+    let res = srv.get("/one/").send().await.unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::OK);
 
     srv.stop().await
 }
@@ -1148,15 +914,20 @@ async fn test_accept_encoding_no_match() {
             .service(web::resource("/").route(web::to(move || HttpResponse::Ok().finish())))
     });
 
-    let response = srv
+    let mut res = srv
         .get("/")
-        .append_header((ACCEPT_ENCODING, "compress, identity;q=0"))
+        .insert_header((header::ACCEPT_ENCODING, "xz, identity;q=0"))
         .no_decompress()
         .send()
         .await
         .unwrap();
 
-    assert_eq!(response.status().as_u16(), 406);
+    assert_eq!(res.status(), StatusCode::NOT_ACCEPTABLE);
+    assert_eq!(res.headers().get(header::CONTENT_ENCODING), None);
+
+    let bytes = res.body().await.unwrap();
+    // body should contain the supported encodings
+    assert!(!bytes.is_empty());
 
     srv.stop().await;
 }
diff --git a/tests/utils.rs b/tests/utils.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9a3743d8b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/utils.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+// compiling some tests will trigger unused function warnings even though other tests use them
+#![allow(dead_code)]
+
+use std::io::{Read as _, Write as _};
+
+pub mod gzip {
+    use super::*;
+    use flate2::{read::GzDecoder, write::GzEncoder, Compression};
+
+    pub fn encode(bytes: impl AsRef<[u8]>) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let mut encoder = GzEncoder::new(Vec::new(), Compression::fast());
+        encoder.write_all(bytes.as_ref()).unwrap();
+        encoder.finish().unwrap()
+    }
+
+    pub fn decode(bytes: impl AsRef<[u8]>) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let mut decoder = GzDecoder::new(bytes.as_ref());
+        let mut buf = Vec::new();
+        decoder.read_to_end(&mut buf).unwrap();
+        buf
+    }
+}
+
+pub mod deflate {
+    use super::*;
+    use flate2::{read::ZlibDecoder, write::ZlibEncoder, Compression};
+
+    pub fn encode(bytes: impl AsRef<[u8]>) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let mut encoder = ZlibEncoder::new(Vec::new(), Compression::fast());
+        encoder.write_all(bytes.as_ref()).unwrap();
+        encoder.finish().unwrap()
+    }
+
+    pub fn decode(bytes: impl AsRef<[u8]>) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let mut decoder = ZlibDecoder::new(bytes.as_ref());
+        let mut buf = Vec::new();
+        decoder.read_to_end(&mut buf).unwrap();
+        buf
+    }
+}
+
+pub mod brotli {
+    use super::*;
+    use ::brotli2::{read::BrotliDecoder, write::BrotliEncoder};
+
+    pub fn encode(bytes: impl AsRef<[u8]>) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let mut encoder = BrotliEncoder::new(Vec::new(), 3);
+        encoder.write_all(bytes.as_ref()).unwrap();
+        encoder.finish().unwrap()
+    }
+
+    pub fn decode(bytes: impl AsRef<[u8]>) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let mut decoder = BrotliDecoder::new(bytes.as_ref());
+        let mut buf = Vec::new();
+        decoder.read_to_end(&mut buf).unwrap();
+        buf
+    }
+}
+
+pub mod zstd {
+    use super::*;
+    use ::zstd::stream::{read::Decoder, write::Encoder};
+
+    pub fn encode(bytes: impl AsRef<[u8]>) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let mut encoder = Encoder::new(Vec::new(), 3).unwrap();
+        encoder.write_all(bytes.as_ref()).unwrap();
+        encoder.finish().unwrap()
+    }
+
+    pub fn decode(bytes: impl AsRef<[u8]>) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let mut decoder = Decoder::new(bytes.as_ref()).unwrap();
+        let mut buf = Vec::new();
+        decoder.read_to_end(&mut buf).unwrap();
+        buf
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/weird_poll.rs b/tests/weird_poll.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5844ea2c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/weird_poll.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+//! Regression test for https://github.com/actix/actix-web/issues/1321
+
+// use actix_http::body::{BodyStream, MessageBody};
+// use bytes::Bytes;
+// use futures_channel::oneshot;
+// use futures_util::{
+//     stream::once,
+//     task::{noop_waker, Context},
+// };
+
+// #[test]
+// fn weird_poll() {
+//     let (sender, receiver) = oneshot::channel();
+//     let mut body_stream = Ok(BodyStream::new(once(async {
+//         let x = Box::new(0);
+//         let y = &x;
+//         receiver.await.unwrap();
+//         let _z = **y;
+//         Ok::<_, ()>(Bytes::new())
+//     })));
+
+//     let waker = noop_waker();
+//     let mut cx = Context::from_waker(&waker);
+
+//     let _ = body_stream.as_mut().unwrap().poll_next(&mut cx);
+//     sender.send(()).unwrap();
+//     let _ = std::mem::replace(&mut body_stream, Err([0; 32]))
+//         .unwrap()
+//         .poll_next(&mut cx);
+// }