Harp

Spec sheet

Purpose

Harp is a static web server with built-in preprocessing that serves source files as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.Read 9 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Product

Harp describes itself as a static web server with built-in preprocessing.Read 8 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Free plan

YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Integrations

Harp can be used as middleware in an Express and Node.js application as an asset pipeline.Read 8 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Support

The documentation offers platform personal support, an IRC community, GitHub issues, and Stack Overflow; it also says the Harp Platform has a free trial.Read 9 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Access control

Harp supports HTTP Basic Authentication, but the feature is not included in compiled static output served by another web server or GitHub Pages.Read 8 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Automatic preprocessing

Harp compiles preprocessor source files to standard web output on the fly, without a configuration file or build step.Read 8 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Build output

Harp can compile a project into static HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files for deployment.Read 9 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Content sources

markdownRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Distribution

The install guide documents macOS, Linux, and Windows terminal use and installs Harp globally with npm.Read 8 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Hosting destinations

The documentation names Amazon S3, Netlify, GitHub Pages, Cloudflare Pages, and a user's own server as static hosting options.Read 9 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Layouts and partials

Layouts and partials are available for Jade and EJS templates.Read 9 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Limit

The development server does not provide live reload; users refresh the browser to see edits.Read 8 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Local preview server

YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Local server

The `harp` command serves a project locally, with port 9000 as its documented default.Read 8 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Manual refresh

When developing locally, changes appear after manually refreshing the browser; the quick-start guide says Harp does not auto-reload.Read 9 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Metadata

Harp lets templates use flexible metadata stored in files such as `_data.json`.Read 9 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Middleware

Harp can run as middleware and serve as the asset pipeline for an Express and Node.js application.Read 9 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Node.js requirement

Harp runs on Node.js and is installed globally with npm.Read 9 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Open source

Harp is open source, and its code is available on GitHub.Read 9 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Output

Harp serves Jade, Markdown, EJS, CoffeeScript, Sass, LESS, and Stylus as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript without configuration.Read 8 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Preprocessors

Harp supports Markdown, Jade, EJS, LESS, Stylus, Sass, and CoffeeScript without additional configuration.Read 9 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Production caching

Setting `NODE_ENV=production` enables additional caching.Read 8 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Production server

Harp can run as a production web server with caching, Basic Authentication, and 200/404 fallbacks.Read 9 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Security and compliance

Harp's documentation describes HTTP Basic Authentication for restricting site visitors; the opened maker pages made no security certification or compliance claim.Read 8 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Static compilation

Harp can compile a project into static HTML, CSS, and JavaScript deployable to hosts including Amazon S3, Netlify, GitHub Pages, Cloudflare Pages, or a user's own server.Read 8 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Supported languages

Node.js,JavaScript,CoffeeScriptRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Templates

Harp supports layouts and reusable partials for Jade and EJS.Read 8 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Who it is for

Harp says it is intended for creating static sites or client-side applications, and can also act as an asset pipeline in a larger Express and Node.js application.Read 8 Oct 2026 · harp.sh

Where Specifiction places it

• Static site generators#16 of 357.8