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https://github.com/ahadb/flat-file-cms

:open_file_folder: :page_with_curl: A list of strictly flat-file cms systems
https://github.com/ahadb/flat-file-cms

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:open_file_folder: :page_with_curl: A list of strictly flat-file cms systems

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README 

        
Flat File CMS Systems

=====================



Lot’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’s of these features aren’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’s also known as file–based CMS’s.



We’re not talking about static site generators here, text of XML driven file CMS’s.



What is a Flat-File CMS?

------------------------



Without a database the flat-file CMS stores content in files and folders unlike a traditional database. This means you don’t have to query any database of any kind in your system —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.



There are certain advantages of not using a database like:



 * Simplicity

 * Speed

 * Security

 * Version Control

 * Maintenance

 * Portability

 * Less expense (server)



Are they “CMS–Like Systems”, shouldn’t they be called “Content Publishing Systems”?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Some people will argue that these flat-file CMS systems aren’t real content management systems. Whilst they do let you manage your content they aren’t full blown as they don’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.



This can be a debatable topic, and this small project’s aim to is to introduce you to these Flat-File CMS’s. If you’re new to the game then it’s advantageous to seeing different views.



Personally, I am all for Flat-File CMS’s for personal blogs. View them below in alphabetical order:



## AjaxCMS 



Client side (browser) based CMS.  Only static files stored on server. Emphasis on background animation and page transitions.



**Technology:** Javascript / Apache



**Templating:** HTML / Bootstrap 



**Formatting:** HTML / Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/bhoult/AjaxCMS)



**Website:** https://ajaxcms.org/



## Automad



A File-Based & Open Source Content Management System.



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** Built in



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://bitbucket.org/marcantondahmen/automad)



**Website:** http://automad.org/



**Latest:** http://automad.org/release-notes



## Baun



A modern, lightweight, extensible CMS for PHP.



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** Twig



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/BaunCMS/Baun/blob/master/LICENSE)



**Website:** [http://bauncms.com](http://bauncms.com/)



## Bludit



Create your own Blog in seconds, Fast, Simple, Extensible and Flat-file CMS.



**Technology:** PHP / JSON



**Templating:** HTML5 / Css / JavaScript



**Formatting:** Markdown and HTML



**Open source:** Yes



**Website:** [http://www.bludit.com](http://www.bludit.com/)



**Latest:** 0.5 2015-11-01 http://forum.bludit.com/



## BoidCMS



BoidCMS 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.



**Technology:** PHP / JSON



**Templating:** HTML / PHP



**Formatting:** HTML



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/BoidCMS/BoidCMS)



**Website:** https://boidcms.github.io



## Cuttlebelle



The react static site generator that separates editing and code concerns



**Technology:** NodeJS



**Templating:** ReactJS



**Formatting:** Markdown and YAML



**Open source:** Yes



**Website:** [https://cuttlebelle.com](https://cuttlebelle.com/)



**Latest:** 1.0.0-alpha.44 2017-01-19 https://cuttlebelle.com



## Datenstrom Yellow



Datenstrom Yellow is for people who make small websites.



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** HTML / PHP



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/datenstrom/yellow)



**Website:** https://datenstrom.se/yellow/



## Dodger CMS



DodgerCMS is a static markdown CMS built on top of Amazon S3.



**Technology:** JavaScript



**Templating:** PureCss



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/ChrisZieba/dodgercms)



**Website:** http://dodgercms.com/



## Dropplets



Dropplets is a minimalist, databaseless Markdown blogging platform.



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** ??



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/circa75/dropplets)



**Website:** http://dropplets.com/



## Feindura



Flat File CMS for designers



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** PHP



**Formatting:** HTML / Text / Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/frozeman/feindura-flat-file-cms)



**Website:** http://feindura.org/



## Flat Press



FlatPress is a blogging engine that saves your posts as simple text files.



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** Smarty



**Formatting:** Text



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/evacchi/flatpress/)



**Website:** http://flatpress.org/home/



## Flextype



Flextype is an open-source Hybrid Content Management System with the freedom of a headless CMS and with the full functionality of a traditional CMS.



**Technology:** PHP / YAML / JSON



**Templating:** Twig



**Formatting:** HTML / Text / Markdown / Shortcodes



**Open source:** yes



**Website:** https://awilum.github.io/flextype



## Flot



no database CMS, written in PHP, supports themes, soon plugins, and flexible taxonomies (data types). Hybrid static/dynamic CMS that’s cached by default. Runs on anything with PHP. Still being developed, but has a good base of features.



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** HTML (optionally, add PHP)



**Formatting:** HTML with WYSIWYG editor



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/samthomson/flot/)



**Website:** https://github.com/samthomson/flot/



## Get Simple CMS



GetSimple is an XML based, stand-a-alone, fully independant and lite Content Management System.



**Technology:** PHP / XML



**Templating:** HTML, PHP



**Formatting:** HTML / WYSIWYG editor



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/GetSimpleCMS/GetSimpleCMS)



**Website:** http://get-simple.info/



## Grav



In a nutshell, installing Grav is a matter of unzipping the file. It is fast, has sophisticated caching, and a light footprint for optimal performance.



**Technology:** PHP / YAML



**Templating:** Twig



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/getgrav/grav)



**Website:** http://getgrav.org/



## Hexo



A fast simple, blog and framework



**Technology:** Node



**Templating:** Jade



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/hexojs/hexo)



**Website:** https://hexo.io/



## Herbie CMS



Herbie 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.



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** Twig



**Formatting:** Markdown, Textile, reStructuredText



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/getherbie/herbie)



**Website:** https://herbie.tebe.ch/



## HTMLy



HTMLy 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.



You 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.



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** ???



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/danpros/htmly)



**Website:** https://demo.htmly.com/



## Hugo



Hugo is a general-purpose website framework. Technically speaking, Hugo is a static site generator.



**Technology:** Go



**Templating:** Go Templates



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/spf13/hugo)



**Website:** http://gohugo.io/



## Jekyll



Transform your plain text into static websites and blogs.



**Technology:** Ruby



**Templating:** Liquid



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/jekyll/jekyll)



**Website:** http://jekyllrb.com/



## Kirby



Kirby is a file-based CMS. Easy to setup, easy to use, flexible as hell



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** Roll your own



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/getkirby)



**Website:** http://getkirby.com/



## MetalSmith



An extremely simple, pluggable static site generator



**Technology:** Node



**Templating:** Unopinionated



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/metalsmith/metalsmith)



**Website:** http://www.metalsmith.io/



## Mecha



Mecha is a file–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.



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** PHP



**Formatting:** Markdown / Markdown Extra / HTML



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/mecha-cms/mecha-cms)



**Website:** http://mecha-cms.com/



## Mozilo



Simple, lightweight, beginner-friendly and expandable with plugins



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** HTML



**Formatting:** Expandable own syntax



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/mozilo/mozilo2.0)



**Website:** http://mozilo.de/



**Latest:**  2.0.49 2016-01-17 https://github.com/mozilo/mozilo2.0/commits/master



## Middleman



Middleman is a static site generator using all the shortcuts and tools in modern web development



**Technology:** Ruby



**Templating:** Multiple



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/middleman/middleman)



**Website:** http://middlemanapp.com/



## Nanote



Nanote simple flat-file blog script, GPL v.3



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** HTML



**Formatting:** HTML



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/muhas/nanote)



## Nesta



A Ruby CMS for developers and designers. With simple code that’s easy to follow, Nesta is easily extended using the Sinatra web framework.



**Technology:** Ruby / Sinatra



**Templating:** Haml, Erb, Erubis, Liquid, Sass, Scss and Less



**Formatting:** Markdown, Textile or Haml



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/gma/nesta)



**Website:** http://nestacms.com/



## Nibbleblog



Easy, fast and free Blog system



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** PHP



**Open source:** Yes



**Website:** http://www.nibbleblog.com/



**Latest:**  4.03 2014-04-01 http://blog.nibbleblog.com/post/nibbleblog-v4.0.3-coffee/



## Orbiter



Simple and extendable PHP tool for publishing beautiful websites out of plain text documents



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** Mustache



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** Yes



**Website:** http://viaorbiter.com/



**Latest:**  https://github.com/kasparsd/orbiter



## Parvula



Simple CMS for developers, designers and clients with admininistration panel.



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** PHP



**Formatting:** Markdown (html if needed)



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/BafS/parvula)



**Website:** https://github.com/BafS/parvula



## PluXML



PluXML 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.



**Technology:** PHP / XML



**Templating:** PHP



**Formatting:** HTML, Text



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/pluxml/PluXml)



**Website:** http://www.pluxml.org/



## Phile CMS



A Markdown File Based CMS



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** Twig



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/PhileCMS/Phile)



**Website:** http://philecms.github.io/Phile/



## Pico



A stupidly simple & blazing fast, flat file CMS.



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** Twig



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/picocms/Pico)



**Website:** http://picocms.org/



## Pluck CMS



Small, Simple Content Managment



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** PHP



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/pluck-cms/pluck)



**Website:** http://www.pluck-cms.org/



**Latest:** 4.7.3 2014-12-08 https://github.com/pluck-cms/pluck/releases



## Pulse CMS



Flat file CMS



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** PHP



**Formatting:** HTML and Markdown



**Open source:** no



**Website:** http://www.pulsecms.com/



**Latest:** 5.3 2019-03-02 https://forum.pulsecms.com/t/pulse-5-3-is-here/1369



## Razor CMS



razorCMS is a File Based Content Management System. All data in razorCMS is stored in flat files, and uses a “database” engine called razorDB.



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** ???



**Formatting:** Text



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/smiffy6969/razorCMS)



**Website:** http://www.razorcms.co.uk/



## Sculpin



PHP static site generator / flat file cms



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** Twig



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** no



**Website:** https://sculpin.io



## SingleCMS



Single File CMS with <5 minute setup and user management



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** Nil



**Formatting:** Inline



**Open source:** no



**Website:** https://singlecms.com



## Singularity



A CMS in a Single PHP File



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** Nil



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/csu/singularity-cms)



**Website:** http://christophersu.net/2012/singularity-cms-single-php-file/



## Sitecake



Simple CMS for your HTML website



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** Nil



**Formatting:** HTML



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/sitecake)



**Website:** http://sitecake.com/



## Statamic



An entirely new kind of CMS. Pack up your content, markup, and style. Leave the database behind. Making websites just got fun again.



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** Built in



**Formatting:** Markdown, Textile, HTML, Plain Text



**Open source:** no



**Website:** http://statamic.com/



## Sphido



A rocket rocket fast, light-weight and flexible static site generator. Basically, it's just two functions

that allow you to process HTML or Markdown files into static pages.



**Technology:** NodeJs



**Templating:** Vanilla JS / anything else



**Formatting:** Markdown, HTML



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/sphido/sphido)



**Website:** https://sphido.org/



## Typemill



Typemill 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 & drop.



**Technology:** PHP/VUE.js



**Templating:** Twig



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/typemill/typemill)



**Website:** https://www.typemill.net



## Typesetter



 An Open source CMS written in PHP focused on ease of use with true WYSIWYG editing and flat-file storage.

 

**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** PHP



**Formatting:** HTML / plain text



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/Typesetter/Typesetter)



**Website:** http://www.typesettercms.com



## Urubu



A micro CMS for static websites



**Technology:** Python



**Templating:** Jinja



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/jandecaluwe/urubu)



**Website:** http://urubu.jandecaluwe.com/



## Vodka



Simple and tiny PHP flat-file site engine.



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** HTML / PHP



**Formatting:** HTML



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/deseven/vodka)



## Wintersmith



Flexible, minimalistic, multi-platform static site generator built on top of node.js.



**Technology:** Node.js



**Templating:** Jade



**Formatting:** Markdown



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/jnordberg/wintersmith)



**Website:** http://wintersmith.io/



## WonderCMS



WonderCMS is a simple, secure flat file CMS



**Technology:** PHP and jQuery



**Templating:** PHP



**Formatting:** HTML



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/robiso/wondercms)



**Website:** http://wondercms.com/



## ZwiiCMS



No database CMS, plugins, responsive, 100% customizable theme since the administration without HTML/CSS.



**Technology:** PHP



**Templating:** HTML / PHP



**Formatting:** HTML



**Open source:** [yes](https://github.com/remijean/ZwiiCMS)



**Website:** http://zwiicms.com/



Contributions

=============



Help grow this list — awesome! Ensure you list a system which is classified as a CMS as opposed to just a static site generator. Thanks for your help!