Middleman
Middleman is an open-source static site generator for building websites with modern development tools.
What Middleman is
Middleman is an open-source static site generator for building websites with modern development tools. It takes Markdown and other source content, then its build command compiles templates and copies static files into a production-ready site. It includes ERB, Haml, Sass, SCSS, and CoffeeScript template engines, with additional engines available through Tilt-enabled gems. Ruby extensions can add capabilities, alter content, and expose methods to templates and configuration.
Middleman is distributed through RubyGems and requires Ruby and RubyGems. Its command-line tools include `middleman init`, `middleman server`, and `middleman build`; the server provides a local preview. Settings and extension options go in `config.rb`. The i18n extension can generate localized pages from locale YAML files and localized templates. For deployment, `middleman-deploy` supports rsync, FTP, SFTP, or Git. Community resources include extension and project-template directories, deployment options, and a forum. The maker also offers paid consultation and development services. Middleman is designed to generate static sites, rather than primarily host an app in Rack development mode.
Good
- Open-source project with community contributions.
- Includes a local preview server.
- Builds localized pages using YAML locale files.
- Deployment tool supports rsync, FTP, SFTP, or Git.
- Extensions can add features and alter content.
Watch out
- Installation requires Ruby and RubyGems.
- Rack development mode is not a primary use case.
- Rails Asset Pipeline was removed from v4 core.
Who it suits
Middleman suits Ruby users building static websites who want template engines, extensions, and localized pages. It is less suited to someone seeking Rack development mode as the main hosting approach.
Verdict
Middleman provides a Ruby-based workflow for generating static sites, with several template engines and extension options. Check the Rails Asset Pipeline limitation if your project depends on it.
The facts
Each one read from Middleman's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Command line
- Its command-line tools include `middleman init`, `middleman server`, and `middleman build`.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Community
- The community page links to extensions, project templates, deployment solutions, and a forum.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Community support
- Users can ask questions in the Middleman community forum.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Content sources
- markdownchecked 20 Sep 2001
- Customization
- Users can configure settings in `config.rb` and activate extensions with options or configuration blocks.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Deployment
- The maker describes `middleman-deploy` as a deployment tool that supports rsync, FTP, SFTP, or Git.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Deployment options
- The maker points to Heroku and other deployment solutions and links to a directory of deployment alternatives.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Extensions
- Ruby extensions can add features, manipulate content, and expose methods to configuration and templates.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Extensions and templates
- The community page links to extension and project-template directories for adding capabilities and starting from pre-made templates.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Frontend tools
- The external pipeline feature can run subprocesses that produce content for Middleman, with examples for Ember, webpack, and Broccoli.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Install
- Middleman is distributed through RubyGems and requires the Ruby runtime and RubyGems.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Installation
- Middleman is distributed through RubyGems and requires the Ruby runtime and RubyGems.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Intended use
- The documentation says Middleman is built to generate static sites and that hosting it in Rack development mode is not a primary use case.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Localization
- The i18n extension can build localized pages from locale YAML files and localized templates.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Local preview server
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2001
- Multilingual support
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2001
- Notable limit
- The Rails Asset Pipeline was removed from Middleman v4 core, and its future is described as uncertain pending community maintainers.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Open source
- The maker describes Middleman as an open-source project and invites users to contribute features.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Paid support
- The developer offers paid code reviews, team education, custom extension development, and project architecture planning by consultation.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Product
- Middleman is a static site generator built as an easy-to-use framework for building websites.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Static output
- The build command compiles templates and copies static files from the source folder into a production-ready build.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Support
- The maker offers paid consultation and development, including code reviews, team education, custom extension development, and project architecture planning.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Supported languages
- Rubychecked 20 Sep 2001
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2001
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