Last Updated on February 26, 2026
Metalsmith is an extremely simple, pluggable static site generator.
Metalsmith works in three simple steps: (1) Read all the files in a source directory. (2) Invoke a series of plugins that manipulate the files. (3) Write the results to a destination directory.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Works with all the tools and data formats you already know and use: NodeJS, npm, markdown, json, yaml and the templating language of your choice.
- Translates a directory tree to plain JavaScript objects that you can manipulate effortlessly with your selection of plugins.
- Pluggable.
- Generate anything from a static site, to a scaffolder, backup, command-line, or deploy tool. Configuration over code or code over configuration: Metalsmith supports both.
Website: metalsmith.io
Support: GitHub Code Repository
Developer: webketje
License: MIT License
Learn JavaScript with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| JavaScript Static Site Generators | |
|---|---|
| Next.js | Minimalistic framework for server-rendered React applications |
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| Hexo | Fast, simple & powerful blog framework, powered by Node.js |
| Astro | Website build tool for the modern web |
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| GitBook | Publish beautiful docs for your users |
| VuePress | Minimalistic Vue-powered static site generator |
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| Docsify | Documentation site generator |
| React Static | Progressive static-site generator for React |
| Gridsome | Jamstack framework for Vue.js |
| Cuttlebelle | React static site generator |
| Assemble | Rapid prototyping and static site generation |
| Panini | Super simple flat file generator for use with Gulp |
| constexprjs | Stic site generator without a DSL or a templating language |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
Explore our comprehensive directory of recommended free and open source software. Our carefully curated collection spans every major software category.This directory is part of our ongoing series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. It features hundreds of detailed reviews, along with open source alternatives to proprietary solutions from major corporations such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. You’ll also find interesting projects to try, hardware coverage, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Discovered a useful open source Linux program that we haven’t covered yet? Let us know by completing this form. |

