Blog Builder, version 1.3.1

A blog you own, without the monthly bill.

A fast blog or website with 16 themes, a proper editor and an easy move from WordPress. It runs on your own Cloudflare account, often on the free plan.

View on GitHub See the themes

Free and open source. Built on EmDash, the open-source blogging software.

Writing a post in the Blog Builder editor

// why

Everything a blog needs. Nothing to look after.

A proper editorWrite, format and add pictures from your browser, then sort posts into categories.

Your own addressUse a domain on Cloudflare, or start on a free address and add one later.

Fast everywhereServed from Cloudflare's network, close to your readers wherever they are.

Private by designReaders' data stays in your account. Videos and maps load only when clicked.

// themes

Sixteen themes. All free.

Changing theme takes about a minute, and your posts, pages and settings stay as they are.

The Notebook theme — **Notebook.** Clean and bright, with a featured post and post cards.

The Journal theme — **Journal.** One centred column of essays in serif type on warm paper.

The Practice theme — **Practice.** Your firm's contact details, then articles as a dated list.

The Magazine theme — **Magazine.** A front page like a newspaper, with a section for each category.

The Portfolio theme — **Portfolio.** Your name set huge, then your work in big pictures.

The Hospitality theme — **Hospitality.** A welcome picture, opening times and a big booking button.

The Local theme — **Local.** A bold banner, a big call button and your opening hours.

The Studio theme — **Studio.** Your work in an even grid of pictures.

The Company news theme — **Company news.** A newsroom, with updates grouped by month.

The SaaS theme — **SaaS.** A product home page with an updates timeline.

The Letter theme — **Letter.** A newsletter, with a sign-up box at the top.

The Help centre theme — **Help centre.** A big search box and your topics as tiles.

The Events theme — **Events.** A night-time poster for your next event.

The Developer theme — **Developer.** A terminal-style welcome and every post listed by year.

The Gallery theme — **Gallery.** A dark wall of pictures from edge to edge.

The Podcast theme — **Podcast.** Your show's artwork, a play button and every episode numbered.

// moving from wordpress

Bring your posts. Keep your links.

Export WordPress

Download your site's export file from WordPress.

Import it

Posts, pages, categories, tags and pictures come across.

Old links still work

An address like /2024/05/my-post/ goes straight to the same post.

WordPress is a trademark of the WordPress Foundation. Blog Builder isn't connected with or endorsed by WordPress.

// get it

Three ways to install.

Pick whichever suits you. Every way installs into your own Cloudflare account, and updating later keeps everything you've set up.

View on GitHub Get release news

The installerrecommendedOne command. Make a Cloudflare API token, pick your domain and the installer does every step for you.

From the codefor developersClone the repo and deploy it yourself. The README walks you through it.

Deploy to Cloudflare buttoncoming nextOne click from GitHub copies the app into your own Cloudflare account.

~/blog-builder

npx @mrpwob/blog-builder help
npx @mrpwob/blog-builder setup

# help lists the Cloudflare token to make. the README has the details.

// built with

What's under the hood.

Everything runs on Cloudflare's developer platform, in your own account.

Cloudflare Workers
D1
R2
KV
EmDash
Astro
TypeScript

// built on open source

Based on EmDash.

Blog Builder is EmDash, the MIT-licensed blogging software, with the installer, the 16 themes, built-in plugins and easy updates added. Your blog runs in your own Cloudflare account and never depends on me to keep running.

Read the release notes

// questions

Questions.

Is it really free?

Yes, including all 16 themes. It often runs on Cloudflare's free plan, so many blogs cost nothing to run.

Where do I get help?

Bugs go in GitHub issues and questions in GitHub Discussions, where everyone can see the answers. For anything else, use the contact page.

Is this the same as Blog by Email?

No. Blog by Email is a separate, simpler blog you write by sending an email. It lives at blogby.email.

Now on GitHub

Get an email when there's a new version.

Mail App and Blog Builder are now public on GitHub. Leave your email and I'll tell you when there's a new version. Nothing else.