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Bridgetown
bridgetownrb.com
What it is
Bridgetown is a free site generator for building static sites, full-stack applications or a combination of both. It compiles Markdown, layouts and components into HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Static publishing features include permalinks, Git-based content deployment, atomic builds, data pipelines and pagination. Collections, taxonomies and content relationships organize material, which can be generated at build time or in real time and connected to a headless CMS or other web APIs. For full-stack applications, its Roda backend supports dynamic routes, server APIs and database connections such as PostgreSQL. Templates can use ERB, Serbea, Streamlined or Liquid; components support modular views, web components and Markdown inclusion. The frontend build system includes esbuild and PostCSS, and custom Ruby plugins can extend builds and content. Static output can be deployed anywhere that serves HTML, CSS and JavaScript files. Bridgetown supports Ruby and JavaScript, and its setup guides cover macOS, Fedora and Ubuntu Linux, and Windows through Windows Subsystem for Linux. Installation requires GCC and Make, Ruby 3.3 or newer, and Node 22.21 or newer.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- Bridgetown is a Ruby-powered progressive site generator that compiles content, layouts, and components into a website.Read 30 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Deployment
- Static output can be deployed to any server that supports HTML, CSS, and JavaScript; the site recommends Render for full-stack production setups.Read 30 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Free plan
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Integrations
- The official plugin directory lists integrations and extensions for Directus, Cloudinary, Notion, Plausible Analytics, Sequel, and Lit SSR plus hydration.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Security
- The plugins directory lists a plugin that adds a Content Security Policy in a meta tag.Read 30 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Support
- The documentation directs users who need help to Bridgetown community channels, including Discord chat.Read 30 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- License
- The Bridgetown source code is licensed under MIT.Read 30 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Headquarters
- Portland, Oregon, United StatesRead 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Founded
- 2020Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- CMS API Integration
- Content can connect to a Headless CMS and other web APIs.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- CMS integration
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Community Support
- The project provides community chat and Discord chat options.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Componentized Views
- Components support modular site design, frontend web components, and Markdown inclusion.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Content engine
- It supports content collections, taxonomies, relationships between content, and connections to headless CMSs and web APIs.Read 30 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Content sources
- markdownRead 20 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Core Technology
- Bridgetown is built on Ruby, Roda, and esbuild.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Current version
- The website identifies the current version as v2.2.2, codename “Verdant River City”.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Database Support
- The page specifically mentions connecting to PostgreSQL databases.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Deployment Options
- Static sites can deploy anywhere that supports HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Frontend build
- The frontend build system includes zero-configuration esbuild and PostCSS.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Frontend Build System
- Bridgetown includes zero-config esbuild and PostCSS, with CSS and JavaScript library support.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Frontend tools
- Its frontend build system includes esbuild and PostCSS for JavaScript and CSS assets.Read 30 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Full stack
- Bridgetown includes Roda-based server routes and supports server-side rendering and API routes.Read 30 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Full-stack features
- It includes Roda for server-rendered routes and APIs and can connect to databases such as PostgreSQL.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Fullstack Backend
- Roda is included for dynamic routes, server APIs, and database-connected applications.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Incremental builds
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Latest Version
- Version 2.2.2, codename “Verdant River City,” was released July 6, 2026.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Local preview server
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Multilingual support
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Operating system requirements
- Installation guides are provided for macOS, Fedora Linux, Ubuntu Linux, and Windows via Windows Subsystem for Linux.Read 30 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Operating systems
- Official setup guides cover macOS, Fedora Linux, Ubuntu Linux, and Windows through Windows Subsystem for Linux.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Origin
- Bridgetown started as a Jekyll fork in early 2020.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Plugin Architecture
- Custom Ruby plugins can extend site builds and content through a straightforward DSL.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Plugins
- Plugins extend Bridgetown projects through gems and configuration initialization, and users can write and publish their own plugins.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Plugins and integrations
- Plugins can extend Bridgetown, and the directory includes integrations such as Cloudinary and Sequel.Read 30 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Recommended Hosting
- Render is recommended for full-stack production setups with databases and Redis caching.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Requirements
- Installation requires GCC and Make, Ruby 3.3 or newer, and Node 22.21 or newer.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Runtime requirements
- The installation page lists Ruby 3.3 or above and Node 22.21 or above as requirements.Read 30 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Security and privacy
- The Bridgetown Center program says participating plugin developers pledge to avoid generative-AI code and disclose necessary external API calls for privacy and security.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Site Types
- It supports static sites, fullstack applications, or both.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Source License
- The source code is licensed under MIT.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Sponsorship Goal
- The site asks for support toward a Q2 2026 goal of $400 per month.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Static generation
- Its static-site features include front matter, Markdown, permalinks, Git-history deployment, atomic builds, data pipelines, and paginated archives.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Static site features
- Its static site features include Markdown, front matter, permalinks, atomic builds, data transformation pipelines, and paginated archives.Read 30 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Supported languages
- Ruby,JavaScriptRead 20 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Technology
- Bridgetown is powered by Ruby and Node for frontend-asset processing.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Template engines
- The site lists ERB, Serbea, Streamlined, and Liquid as template engine options.Read 30 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
- Website License
- Website content is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.Read 28 Sep 2026 · bridgetownrb.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Supports static and full-stack projects.
- Includes Roda routes, APIs and database connections.
- Offers four template engines.
- Static output can deploy wherever web files are served.
Limits
- Installation requires GCC and Make.
- Requires Ruby 3.3 or newer and Node 22.21 or newer.
Who it suits
Bridgetown suits developers building static sites, full-stack applications or both, especially those who want Ruby plugins and Roda-backed routes or APIs. It also supports connecting content to headless CMSs and web APIs.
Verdict
Bridgetown brings static publishing and a Roda backend into one project, with flexible templates and plugin support. Check its installation requirements and operating-system setup guides before starting.
Where Specifiction places it
- Static site generators#12 of 358.0
