Freedom251 › Static site generators
Bridgetown
by Bridgetown
What Bridgetown is
Bridgetown is a Ruby-based site generator that compiles Markdown, layouts, and components into HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It can build static sites, full-stack applications, or projects combining both. Static publishing features include permalinks, Git-based content deployment, atomic builds, data pipelines, and pagination. Collections, taxonomies, and content relationships help organize material, with content generated at build time or in real time and connected to a headless CMS or other web APIs. For full-stack projects, its Roda backend supports dynamic routes, server APIs, and database connections such as PostgreSQL. Template options include ERB, Serbea, Streamlined, and Liquid; components support modular design, web components, and Markdown inclusion. The frontend build system includes zero-configuration esbuild and PostCSS, and custom Ruby plugins can extend builds and content. Static output can be deployed wherever HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files are served; Render is recommended for full-stack production setups. Installation requires GCC and Make, Ruby 3.3 or newer, and Node 22.21 or newer. Source code is MIT-licensed.
Who it suits
Bridgetown suits developers building static sites or full-stack applications with Ruby and JavaScript. It may fit projects that need content collections, CMS or API connections, or a Roda backend with database access.
What it does well
- Supports static sites and full-stack applications
- Roda supports dynamic routes and server APIs
- Connects to headless CMS products and web APIs
- MIT-licensed source code
What to know first
- Installation requires GCC and Make
- Requires Ruby 3.3 or newer
- Requires Node 22.21 or newer
- Render is recommended for full-stack production setups
Getting started
- Visit the Bridgetown website and consult its documentation.
- Use a supported setup route for macOS, Fedora Linux, Ubuntu Linux, or Windows Subsystem for Linux.
- Install GCC and Make, Ruby 3.3 or newer, and Node 22.21 or newer.
- Choose a static site or full-stack project approach and work with Markdown, layouts, and components.
- Deploy static output to a host that serves HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, or consider Render for a full-stack production setup.
Verdict
Bridgetown combines static publishing tools with a Roda backend and frontend asset build system. Its installation requirements include GCC, Make, Ruby 3.3 or newer, and Node 22.21 or newer.
Questions
Is Bridgetown free?
Yes. Bridgetown has a free plan.
Which platforms does it support?
Its listed platforms are API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and Windows. Official setup guides cover macOS, Fedora and Ubuntu Linux, and Windows through Windows Subsystem for Linux.
Can Bridgetown connect to a CMS or APIs?
Yes. Content can connect to a headless CMS and other web APIs. The plugin directory lists integrations including Directus, Cloudinary, Notion, Plausible Analytics, Sequel, and Lit SSR plus hydration.
What does Bridgetown use for templates and frontend assets?
Template options are ERB, Serbea, Streamlined, and Liquid. Its frontend build system includes esbuild and PostCSS.
Is Bridgetown open source?
Its source code is licensed under the MIT License.
Who makes Bridgetown?
The maker is Bridgetown. The project began as a Jekyll fork in early 2020.
Facts from Bridgetown's own pages
- CMS API Integration
- Content can connect to a Headless CMS and other web APIs. · bridgetownrb.com, 28 Sept 2026
- CMS integration
- Yes · bridgetownrb.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Community Support
- The project provides community chat and Discord chat options. · bridgetownrb.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Componentized Views
- Components support modular site design, frontend web components, and Markdown inclusion. · bridgetownrb.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Content engine
- It supports content collections, taxonomies, relationships between content, and connections to headless CMSs and web APIs. · bridgetownrb.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Content sources
- markdown · bridgetownrb.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Core Technology
- Bridgetown is built on Ruby, Roda, and esbuild. · bridgetownrb.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Current version
- The website identifies the current version as v2.2.2, codename “Verdant River City”. · bridgetownrb.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Database Support
- The page specifically mentions connecting to PostgreSQL databases. · bridgetownrb.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Deployment
- Static output can be deployed to any server that supports HTML, CSS, and JavaScript; the site recommends Render for full-stack production setups. · bridgetownrb.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Deployment Options
- Static sites can deploy anywhere that supports HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files. · bridgetownrb.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Founded
- 2020 · bridgetownrb.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · bridgetownrb.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Frontend build
- The frontend build system includes zero-configuration esbuild and PostCSS. · bridgetownrb.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Frontend Build System
- Bridgetown includes zero-config esbuild and PostCSS, with CSS and JavaScript library support. · bridgetownrb.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Frontend tools
- Its frontend build system includes esbuild and PostCSS for JavaScript and CSS assets. · bridgetownrb.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Full stack
- Bridgetown includes Roda-based server routes and supports server-side rendering and API routes. · bridgetownrb.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Fullstack Backend
- Roda is included for dynamic routes, server APIs, and database-connected applications. · bridgetownrb.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Full-stack features
- It includes Roda for server-rendered routes and APIs and can connect to databases such as PostgreSQL. · bridgetownrb.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Portland, Oregon, United States · bridgetownrb.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Incremental builds
- Yes · bridgetownrb.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The official plugin directory lists integrations and extensions for Directus, Cloudinary, Notion, Plausible Analytics, Sequel, and Lit SSR plus hydration. · bridgetownrb.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Latest Version
- Version 2.2.2, codename “Verdant River City,” was released July 6, 2026. · bridgetownrb.com, 28 Sept 2026
- License
- The Bridgetown source code is licensed under MIT. · bridgetownrb.com, 30 Sept 2026
Where Bridgetown stands on Freedom251
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