[Zope] Can I using zope's functions outside zope?

Hello, I am new to zope. I wish I can use the power functions in zope, such as ZPT, outside zope, because I am not used to writing program in a browser. I want to use vi and other tools right in the server. My idea is: I write a special module in python, simulating the zope server. Then I write web programs as CGI, but the code is almost the same as if I were using zope directly. These CGI use ZPT and DB Connection object in zope. I feel very comfortable using the vi, cvs, subversion, make and all other nice and familiar tools. When those CGI program are somewhat stable, I can copy the code in to zope, and then maintain the code in zope from then on. Is there a simple way to do that? Or it is just a stupid idea? Gilbert Fine