Publican – an HTML-first static site generator for Node.js

Hacker News

I'm Craig Buckler and Publican is my tiny, simple, fast, and free static site generator for Node.js. I've used several SSGs including Jekyll, Metalsmith, and Eleventy. Why build another? The main reason: personal preference. All SSGs have features that I need, features I don't need, and features they don't support. Publican implements just enough with flexibility to extend it using JavaScript. Publican templates use JavaScript literal ${ expressions } so there's no weird syntax to learn. You can also use !{ expressions } to output partially-built pages for runtime use in Express.js or elsewhere. Features include: - process any content: markdown, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, TXT, SVG, RSS, XML, etc. - simple JavaScript configuration - clean URL routing - automated navigation, pagination, directory, and tag index pages - built-in syntax highlighting - virtual content and templates (passed as strings) - extendable function hooks - use whatever client-side framework you like (or none!) - fast site build and file watch rebuild - full documentation at https://publican.dev/docs/ - starter themes at https://publican.dev/themes/ You can install Publican using npm: https://www.npmjs.com/package/publican The code is available at: https://github.com/craigbuckler/publican Also available for Publican: - https://publican.dev/livelocalhost/ - a hot-reloading development server - https://publican.dev/staticsearch/ - a search engine for any static site All feedback is appreciated!

Visit product View on Hacker NewsJul 31, 2025

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Indie HackersFits the IH revenue-focused audience · Strong signals: including · Missing: supports, reddit linkedin, podcasting

83%83% predicted probability of success on Indie Hackers, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

best fitHighest predicted score across all platforms for this description.

Hacker NewsStrong engagement from HN community · Strong signals: ide, io, including · Missing: https docs, excited, just released

64%64% predicted probability of success on Hacker News, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

nativeThis product was originally launched on this platform.

AppSumoStrong fit for a featured deal · Strong signals: host · Missing: plus, platform, intuitive

57%57% predicted probability of success on AppSumo, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Product HuntUnlikely to reach the leaderboard · Strong signals: tiny, using, code · Missing: mac, agents, macos

46%46% predicted probability of success on Product Hunt, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

TrustMRRLess likely to generate early MRR · Strong signals: personal · Missing: mobile apps, ios, entrepreneurs

22%22% predicted probability of success on TrustMRR, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Acquire.comPre-revenue stage for this audience · Missing: arr, mrr, revenue

15%15% predicted probability of success on Acquire.com, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

BetaListMay not resonate with beta-testers · Missing: web3, chat, crypto

0%0% predicted probability of success on BetaList, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Incorrect prediction on native model

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