{"id":13516201,"url":"https://github.com/ahadb/flat-file-cms","last_synced_at":"2025-04-10T19:41:57.503Z","repository":{"id":14612896,"uuid":"17330180","full_name":"ahadb/flat-file-cms","owner":"ahadb","description":":open_file_folder: :page_with_curl: A list of strictly flat-file cms systems ","archived":false,"fork":false,"pushed_at":"2024-07-08T15:00:25.000Z","size":175,"stargazers_count":689,"open_issues_count":19,"forks_count":85,"subscribers_count":49,"default_branch":"master","last_synced_at":"2025-02-15T20:55:10.498Z","etag":null,"topics":[],"latest_commit_sha":null,"homepage":"","language":null,"has_issues":true,"has_wiki":null,"has_pages":null,"mirror_url":null,"source_name":null,"license":null,"status":null,"scm":"git","pull_requests_enabled":true,"icon_url":"https://github.com/ahadb.png","metadata":{"files":{"readme":"README.md","changelog":null,"contributing":null,"funding":null,"license":null,"code_of_conduct":null,"threat_model":null,"audit":null,"citation":null,"codeowners":null,"security":null,"support":null,"governance":null,"roadmap":null,"authors":null,"dei":null,"publiccode":null,"codemeta":null}},"created_at":"2014-03-02T03:34:54.000Z","updated_at":"2025-02-15T08:44:03.000Z","dependencies_parsed_at":"2024-11-01T20:41:20.525Z","dependency_job_id":null,"html_url":"https://github.com/ahadb/flat-file-cms","commit_stats":null,"previous_names":[],"tags_count":0,"template":false,"template_full_name":null,"repository_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/ahadb%2Fflat-file-cms","tags_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/ahadb%2Fflat-file-cms/tags","releases_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/ahadb%2Fflat-file-cms/releases","manifests_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/ahadb%2Fflat-file-cms/manifests","owner_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/owners/ahadb","download_url":"https://codeload.github.com/ahadb/flat-file-cms/tar.gz/refs/heads/master","host":{"name":"GitHub","url":"https://github.com","kind":"github","repositories_count":248281415,"owners_count":21077423,"icon_url":"https://github.com/github.png","version":null,"created_at":"2022-05-30T11:31:42.601Z","updated_at":"2022-07-04T15:15:14.044Z","host_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub","repositories_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories","repository_names_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repository_names","owners_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/owners"}},"keywords":[],"created_at":"2024-08-01T05:01:20.216Z","updated_at":"2025-04-10T19:41:57.475Z","avatar_url":"https://github.com/ahadb.png","language":null,"readme":"Flat File CMS Systems\n=====================\n\nLot\u0026rsquo;s of folks are leaving Wordpress for a flat file CMS system with no database. Wordpress was built as a simple blogging platform and has evolved over the years into a feature rich CMS. Lot\u0026rsquo;s of these features aren\u0026rsquo;t needed by folk who merely want to blog without the bloat. We respect Wordpress and it will always be there, this small project simply aims to give people out there a chance to work with Flat File CMS\u0026rsquo;s also known as file\u0026ndash;based CMS\u0026rsquo;s.\n\nWe\u0026rsquo;re not talking about static site generators here, text of XML driven file CMS\u0026rsquo;s.\n\nWhat is a Flat-File CMS?\n------------------------\n\nWithout a database the flat-file CMS stores content in files and folders unlike a traditional database. This means you don\u0026rsquo;t have to query any database of any kind in your system \u0026mdash;there is no database. The flat-file system generates dynamic pages and each blog post or page is simply in a folder of its own (depending on the system and how you structure it). There are several ways to populate and parse content, xml and markdown being the most popular.\n\nThere are certain advantages of not using a database like:\n\n * Simplicity\n * Speed\n * Security\n * Version Control\n * Maintenance\n * Portability\n * Less expense (server)\n\nAre they \u0026ldquo;CMS\u0026ndash;Like Systems\u0026rdquo;, shouldn\u0026rsquo;t they be called \u0026ldquo;Content Publishing Systems\u0026rdquo;?\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nSome people will argue that these flat-file CMS systems aren\u0026rsquo;t real content management systems. Whilst they do let you manage your content they aren\u0026rsquo;t full blown as they don\u0026rsquo;t let you authentication/authorization. The argument is a full blown CMS should somehow be able to grant and deny create/read/update/delete access and permissions to users.\n\nThis can be a debatable topic, and this small project\u0026rsquo;s aim to is to introduce you to these Flat-File CMS\u0026rsquo;s. If you\u0026rsquo;re new to the game then it\u0026rsquo;s advantageous to seeing different views.\n\nPersonally, I am all for Flat-File CMS\u0026rsquo;s for personal blogs. View them below in alphabetical order:\n\n## AjaxCMS \n\nClient side (browser) based CMS.  Only static files stored on server. Emphasis on background animation and page transitions.\n\n**Technology:** Javascript / Apache\n\n**Templating:** HTML / Bootstrap \n\n**Formatting:** HTML / Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/bhoult/AjaxCMS)\n\n**Website:** https://ajaxcms.org/\n\n## Automad\n\nA File-Based \u0026amp; Open Source Content Management System.\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** Built in\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://bitbucket.org/marcantondahmen/automad)\n\n**Website:** http://automad.org/\n\n**Latest:** http://automad.org/release-notes\n\n## Baun\n\nA modern, lightweight, extensible CMS for PHP.\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** Twig\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/BaunCMS/Baun/blob/master/LICENSE)\n\n**Website:** [http://bauncms.com](http://bauncms.com/)\n\n## Bludit\n\nCreate your own Blog in seconds, Fast, Simple, Extensible and Flat-file CMS.\n\n**Technology:** PHP / JSON\n\n**Templating:** HTML5 / Css / JavaScript\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown and HTML\n\n**Open source:** Yes\n\n**Website:** [http://www.bludit.com](http://www.bludit.com/)\n\n**Latest:** 0.5 2015-11-01 http://forum.bludit.com/\n\n## BoidCMS\n\nBoidCMS is a free and open-source flat file CMS for building simple websites and blogs in seconds, developed using PHP and uses JSON as a database.\n\n**Technology:** PHP / JSON\n\n**Templating:** HTML / PHP\n\n**Formatting:** HTML\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/BoidCMS/BoidCMS)\n\n**Website:** https://boidcms.github.io\n\n## Cuttlebelle\n\nThe react static site generator that separates editing and code concerns\n\n**Technology:** NodeJS\n\n**Templating:** ReactJS\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown and YAML\n\n**Open source:** Yes\n\n**Website:** [https://cuttlebelle.com](https://cuttlebelle.com/)\n\n**Latest:** 1.0.0-alpha.44 2017-01-19 https://cuttlebelle.com\n\n## Datenstrom Yellow\n\nDatenstrom Yellow is for people who make small websites.\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** HTML / PHP\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/datenstrom/yellow)\n\n**Website:** https://datenstrom.se/yellow/\n\n## Dodger CMS\n\nDodgerCMS is a static markdown CMS built on top of Amazon S3.\n\n**Technology:** JavaScript\n\n**Templating:** PureCss\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/ChrisZieba/dodgercms)\n\n**Website:** http://dodgercms.com/\n\n## Dropplets\n\nDropplets is a minimalist, databaseless Markdown blogging platform.\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** ??\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/circa75/dropplets)\n\n**Website:** http://dropplets.com/\n\n## Feindura\n\nFlat File CMS for designers\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** PHP\n\n**Formatting:** HTML / Text / Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/frozeman/feindura-flat-file-cms)\n\n**Website:** http://feindura.org/\n\n## Flat Press\n\nFlatPress is a blogging engine that saves your posts as simple text files.\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** Smarty\n\n**Formatting:** Text\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/evacchi/flatpress/)\n\n**Website:** http://flatpress.org/home/\n\n## Flextype\n\nFlextype is an open-source Hybrid Content Management System with the freedom of a headless CMS and with the full functionality of a traditional CMS.\n\n**Technology:** PHP / YAML / JSON\n\n**Templating:** Twig\n\n**Formatting:** HTML / Text / Markdown / Shortcodes\n\n**Open source:** yes\n\n**Website:** https://awilum.github.io/flextype\n\n## Flot\n\nno database CMS, written in PHP, supports themes, soon plugins, and flexible taxonomies (data types). Hybrid static/dynamic CMS that\u0026rsquo;s cached by default. Runs on anything with PHP. Still being developed, but has a good base of features.\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** HTML (optionally, add PHP)\n\n**Formatting:** HTML with WYSIWYG editor\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/samthomson/flot/)\n\n**Website:** https://github.com/samthomson/flot/\n\n## Get Simple CMS\n\nGetSimple is an XML based, stand-a-alone, fully independant and lite Content Management System.\n\n**Technology:** PHP / XML\n\n**Templating:** HTML, PHP\n\n**Formatting:** HTML / WYSIWYG editor\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/GetSimpleCMS/GetSimpleCMS)\n\n**Website:** http://get-simple.info/\n\n## Grav\n\nIn a nutshell, installing Grav is a matter of unzipping the file. It is fast, has sophisticated caching, and a light footprint for optimal performance.\n\n**Technology:** PHP / YAML\n\n**Templating:** Twig\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/getgrav/grav)\n\n**Website:** http://getgrav.org/\n\n## Hexo\n\nA fast simple, blog and framework\n\n**Technology:** Node\n\n**Templating:** Jade\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/hexojs/hexo)\n\n**Website:** https://hexo.io/\n\n## Herbie CMS\n\nHerbie CMS is a simple, fast and highly customizable flat-file Content Management System powered by PHP, Twig, Markdown, Textile, reStructuredText and other human-readable text files. Create small but fully functional websites or blogs in no time and with little effort.\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** Twig\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown, Textile, reStructuredText\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/getherbie/herbie)\n\n**Website:** https://herbie.tebe.ch/\n\n## HTMLy\n\nHTMLy is an open source databaseless blogging platform that prioritizes simplicity and speed (Flat-File Blog). HTMLy can be referred to as a Flat-File CMS, since it will also manage your content.\n\nYou do not need to use a VPS to run HTMLy, shared hosting or even free hosting should work as long as the host supports at least PHP 5.3.\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** ???\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/danpros/htmly)\n\n**Website:** https://demo.htmly.com/\n\n## Hugo\n\nHugo is a general-purpose website framework. Technically speaking, Hugo is a static site generator.\n\n**Technology:** Go\n\n**Templating:** Go Templates\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/spf13/hugo)\n\n**Website:** http://gohugo.io/\n\n## Jekyll\n\nTransform your plain text into static websites and blogs.\n\n**Technology:** Ruby\n\n**Templating:** Liquid\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/jekyll/jekyll)\n\n**Website:** http://jekyllrb.com/\n\n## Kirby\n\nKirby is a file-based CMS. Easy to setup, easy to use, flexible as hell\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** Roll your own\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/getkirby)\n\n**Website:** http://getkirby.com/\n\n## MetalSmith\n\nAn extremely simple, pluggable static site generator\n\n**Technology:** Node\n\n**Templating:** Unopinionated\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/metalsmith/metalsmith)\n\n**Website:** http://www.metalsmith.io/\n\n## Mecha\n\nMecha is a file\u0026ndash;based CMS. It does not require any database. Almost all files are stored as plain text files which grouped into folders, which you can even edit it manually through a plain text editor application.\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** PHP\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown / Markdown Extra / HTML\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/mecha-cms/mecha-cms)\n\n**Website:** http://mecha-cms.com/\n\n## Mozilo\n\nSimple, lightweight, beginner-friendly and expandable with plugins\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** HTML\n\n**Formatting:** Expandable own syntax\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/mozilo/mozilo2.0)\n\n**Website:** http://mozilo.de/\n\n**Latest:**  2.0.49 2016-01-17 https://github.com/mozilo/mozilo2.0/commits/master\n\n## Middleman\n\nMiddleman is a static site generator using all the shortcuts and tools in modern web development\n\n**Technology:** Ruby\n\n**Templating:** Multiple\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/middleman/middleman)\n\n**Website:** http://middlemanapp.com/\n\n## Nanote\n\nNanote simple flat-file blog script, GPL v.3\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** HTML\n\n**Formatting:** HTML\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/muhas/nanote)\n\n## Nesta\n\nA Ruby CMS for developers and designers. With simple code that\u0026rsquo;s easy to follow, Nesta is easily extended using the Sinatra web framework.\n\n**Technology:** Ruby / Sinatra\n\n**Templating:** Haml, Erb, Erubis, Liquid, Sass, Scss and Less\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown, Textile or Haml\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/gma/nesta)\n\n**Website:** http://nestacms.com/\n\n## Nibbleblog\n\nEasy, fast and free Blog system\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** PHP\n\n**Open source:** Yes\n\n**Website:** http://www.nibbleblog.com/\n\n**Latest:**  4.03 2014-04-01 http://blog.nibbleblog.com/post/nibbleblog-v4.0.3-coffee/\n\n## Orbiter\n\nSimple and extendable PHP tool for publishing beautiful websites out of plain text documents\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** Mustache\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** Yes\n\n**Website:** http://viaorbiter.com/\n\n**Latest:**  https://github.com/kasparsd/orbiter\n\n## Parvula\n\nSimple CMS for developers, designers and clients with admininistration panel.\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** PHP\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown (html if needed)\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/BafS/parvula)\n\n**Website:** https://github.com/BafS/parvula\n\n## PluXML\n\nPluXML is a free, open-source, self-hosted CMS platform where data are stored by using XML files. This system is used to be a blog one, but pages feature allows to code some php inside the backend. Many plugins extend its functionnalities.\n\n**Technology:** PHP / XML\n\n**Templating:** PHP\n\n**Formatting:** HTML, Text\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/pluxml/PluXml)\n\n**Website:** http://www.pluxml.org/\n\n## Phile CMS\n\nA Markdown File Based CMS\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** Twig\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/PhileCMS/Phile)\n\n**Website:** http://philecms.github.io/Phile/\n\n## Pico\n\nA stupidly simple \u0026 blazing fast, flat file CMS.\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** Twig\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/picocms/Pico)\n\n**Website:** http://picocms.org/\n\n## Pluck CMS\n\nSmall, Simple Content Managment\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** PHP\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/pluck-cms/pluck)\n\n**Website:** http://www.pluck-cms.org/\n\n**Latest:** 4.7.3 2014-12-08 https://github.com/pluck-cms/pluck/releases\n\n## Pulse CMS\n\nFlat file CMS\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** PHP\n\n**Formatting:** HTML and Markdown\n\n**Open source:** no\n\n**Website:** http://www.pulsecms.com/\n\n**Latest:** 5.3 2019-03-02 https://forum.pulsecms.com/t/pulse-5-3-is-here/1369\n\n## Razor CMS\n\nrazorCMS is a File Based Content Management System. All data in razorCMS is stored in flat files, and uses a \u0026ldquo;database\u0026rdquo; engine called razorDB.\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** ???\n\n**Formatting:** Text\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/smiffy6969/razorCMS)\n\n**Website:** http://www.razorcms.co.uk/\n\n## Sculpin\n\nPHP static site generator / flat file cms\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** Twig\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** no\n\n**Website:** https://sculpin.io\n\n## SingleCMS\n\nSingle File CMS with \u003c5 minute setup and user management\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** Nil\n\n**Formatting:** Inline\n\n**Open source:** no\n\n**Website:** https://singlecms.com\n\n## Singularity\n\nA CMS in a Single PHP File\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** Nil\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/csu/singularity-cms)\n\n**Website:** http://christophersu.net/2012/singularity-cms-single-php-file/\n\n## Sitecake\n\nSimple CMS for your HTML website\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** Nil\n\n**Formatting:** HTML\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/sitecake)\n\n**Website:** http://sitecake.com/\n\n## Statamic\n\nAn entirely new kind of CMS. Pack up your content, markup, and style. Leave the database behind. Making websites just got fun again.\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** Built in\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown, Textile, HTML, Plain Text\n\n**Open source:** no\n\n**Website:** http://statamic.com/\n\n## Sphido\n\nA rocket rocket fast, light-weight and flexible static site generator. Basically, it's just two functions\nthat allow you to process HTML or Markdown files into static pages.\n\n**Technology:** NodeJs\n\n**Templating:** Vanilla JS / anything else\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown, HTML\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/sphido/sphido)\n\n**Website:** https://sphido.org/\n\n## Typemill\n\nTypemill is a modern and author friendly flat file cms (PHP/Vue.js) for documentations, manuals, web-novels and similar publications. It provides a modern visual markdown editor (vue) and an easy page organisation with drag \u0026 drop.\n\n**Technology:** PHP/VUE.js\n\n**Templating:** Twig\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/typemill/typemill)\n\n**Website:** https://www.typemill.net\n\n## Typesetter\n\n An Open source CMS written in PHP focused on ease of use with true WYSIWYG editing and flat-file storage.\n \n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** PHP\n\n**Formatting:** HTML / plain text\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/Typesetter/Typesetter)\n\n**Website:** http://www.typesettercms.com\n\n## Urubu\n\nA micro CMS for static websites\n\n**Technology:** Python\n\n**Templating:** Jinja\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/jandecaluwe/urubu)\n\n**Website:** http://urubu.jandecaluwe.com/\n\n## Vodka\n\nSimple and tiny PHP flat-file site engine.\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** HTML / PHP\n\n**Formatting:** HTML\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/deseven/vodka)\n\n## Wintersmith\n\nFlexible, minimalistic, multi-platform static site generator built on top of node.js.\n\n**Technology:** Node.js\n\n**Templating:** Jade\n\n**Formatting:** Markdown\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/jnordberg/wintersmith)\n\n**Website:** http://wintersmith.io/\n\n## WonderCMS\n\nWonderCMS is a simple, secure flat file CMS\n\n**Technology:** PHP and jQuery\n\n**Templating:** PHP\n\n**Formatting:** HTML\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/robiso/wondercms)\n\n**Website:** http://wondercms.com/\n\n## ZwiiCMS\n\nNo database CMS, plugins, responsive, 100% customizable theme since the administration without HTML/CSS.\n\n**Technology:** PHP\n\n**Templating:** HTML / PHP\n\n**Formatting:** HTML\n\n**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/remijean/ZwiiCMS)\n\n**Website:** http://zwiicms.com/\n\nContributions\n=============\n\nHelp grow this list \u0026mdash; awesome! Ensure you list a system which is classified as a CMS as opposed to just a static site generator. Thanks for your help!\n\n\n\n","funding_links":[],"categories":["Technical","Others","miscellaneous","others"],"sub_categories":["ramanihiteshc@gmail.com"],"project_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/projects/github.com%2Fahadb%2Fflat-file-cms","html_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/projects/github.com%2Fahadb%2Fflat-file-cms","lists_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/projects/github.com%2Fahadb%2Fflat-file-cms/lists"}