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Metalsmith

Metalsmith is a free, pluggable static-site generator for NodeJS.

Place
#7 of 35
Score
7.2
Metalsmith's website

What Metalsmith is

Metalsmith is a free, pluggable static-site generator for NodeJS. It works like a library rather than a framework that imposes a project structure: it turns a directory tree into JavaScript objects that plugins can manipulate. The package provides both a JavaScript API and a command-line interface, with configuration over code as well as code over configuration. It works with npm, Markdown, JSON, YAML and a templating language of choice. Example uses include static sites, scaffolding, backups, command-line and deployment tools, and eBooks produced from Markdown in PDF, ePUB or MOBI formats. Starter repositories cover blog, company, resume and clean-blog projects. Builds create static folders that can be deployed to CDNs, Netlify, GitHub Pages, GitLab Pages, SFTP hosts or custom servers. Metalsmith requires NodeJS and supports Linux and Windows builds. Partial rebuilds are not available; the documentation recommends pairing a file watcher with browser synchronization for automatic rebuilds. It is free, and the supplied pages state no billing terms or prices.

Good

  • Offers both a JavaScript API and CLI.
  • Works with Markdown, JSON and YAML.
  • Builds deploy to multiple hosting destinations.
  • Free software with no stated billing terms.

Watch out

  • Requires NodeJS.
  • Partial rebuilds are not available.
  • Automatic rebuilds require additional tools.

Who it suits

Metalsmith suits developers building static sites or other file-based outputs who want to shape projects through plugins. It requires NodeJS, and automatic rebuild workflows need additional tools.

Verdict

Metalsmith offers a flexible plugin-based approach to static builds and other outputs. Its lack of partial rebuilds matters for developers seeking automatic build updates.

Plans and prices

From Metalsmith's own pricing page, checked 28 Sep 2001.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
Metalsmith.jsFreeMIT/(L)GPL licensed software

The facts

Each one read from Metalsmith's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

API and CLI
The package exposes both a JavaScript API and a command-line interface.checked 28 Sep 2001
Build limitation
Metalsmith does not yet offer partial rebuilds; the documentation recommends using a file watcher and browser synchronization package for automatic rebuilds.checked 28 Sep 2001
CMS integration
Yeschecked 20 Sep 2001
Community channel
The project says informal announcements are made periodically in the Gitter community chat.checked 28 Sep 2001
Configuration modes
It supports both configuration over code and code over configuration.checked 28 Sep 2001
Content sources
markdownchecked 20 Sep 2001
Core plugins
Plugins with the @metalsmith/ prefix are core plugins officially supported by Metalsmith.checked 28 Sep 2001
Current release
Metalsmith 2.7 requires NodeJS 16 or newer and adds metalsmith.yml configuration support plus init and clean CLI commands.checked 28 Sep 2001
Deployment
Builds are static folders that can be deployed to a CDN, Netlify, GitHub Pages, GitLab Pages, SFTP host or custom server over SSH.checked 28 Sep 2001
Deployment targets
Static folders can be deployed to CDNs, Netlify, GitHub Pages, GitLab Pages, SFTP hosts, or custom servers.checked 28 Sep 2001
eBook formats
An example eBook workflow can produce PDF, ePUB, and MOBI files from Markdown.checked 28 Sep 2001
File transformation
It translates a directory tree into plain JavaScript objects that plugins can manipulate.checked 28 Sep 2001
Incremental builds
Yeschecked 20 Sep 2001
Integrations
Examples of plugin integrations include Sass, PostCSS, JavaScript bundling, Uglify, Markdown, collections and layouts.checked 28 Sep 2001
Interfaces
The package exposes both a JavaScript API and a CLI.checked 28 Sep 2001
Library design
Metalsmith works more like a library than a framework and does not require a predefined structure.checked 28 Sep 2001
Local preview server
Nochecked 20 Sep 2001
Multilingual support
Yeschecked 20 Sep 2001
Operating systems
Metalsmith builds are tested on Linux and Windows systems and officially supported NodeJS LTS releases.checked 28 Sep 2001
Package installers
Installation examples are provided for npm, yarn, and pnpm.checked 28 Sep 2001

Money

Billing information
No billing terms or prices are stated on the supplied pages.checked 28 Sep 2001
Free plan
Yeschecked 20 Sep 2001

The company

Company attribution
The site copyright notice attributes the website to webbketje and dates it 2021.checked 28 Sep 2001
Founded
2014checked 28 Sep 2001

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