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Mecha CMS
What Mecha CMS is
Mecha CMS is a free, self-hosted flat-file content management system for minimalists. Its core is under 500 KB, and the maker says it will stay below that size. Data is kept in one place, with management available without a graphical interface. Features are delivered through extensions that can be added or removed, including Markdown authoring, unlimited page children and fields, comments, RSS, and sitemaps. Generated markup can be customized for a chosen layout system. The project describes its API as easy to use and well documented. An optional control panel uses the Alert, Panel, and User extensions. Mecha runs through API, Linux, self-hosted, and web environments. Self-hosting requires PHP 7.3 or newer and Apache 2.4 or newer with mod_rewrite; contributed Lighttpd and Nginx configurations are also provided. Nine layouts are listed in the maker’s store, including free blog, gallery, and portfolio themes. The software uses the GPL-3.0 license.
Who it suits
Mecha suits minimalists who want a small, extensible flat-file CMS and are comfortable with self-hosting or non-graphical management.
What it does well
- Core remains under 500 KB
- Features can be added or removed as extensions
- Markup adapts to chosen layout systems
- Markdown, comments, RSS, and sitemaps available
- Composer can install Packagist extensions
What to know first
- Requires PHP 7.3 or newer
- Requires Apache with mod_rewrite for listed setup
- Control panel requires three extensions
- No free trial is listed
Verdict
Mecha CMS focuses on a compact core, extension-based features, and customizable output. It is most suitable when you want self-hosted control and do not need a built-in graphical workflow.
Facts from Mecha CMS's own pages
- Adaptable layouts
- Generated markup can be adapted to a chosen layout system by customizing the output. · mecha-cms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Adaptive output
- Generated markup can be customized to fit the layout system you want to use. · mecha-cms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- API
- The project README describes its API as easy to use and well documented. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Content features
- The project README lists Markdown authoring, unlimited page children and fields, comments, RSS, and sitemap features through extensions. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Control panel
- The Panel extension is free to use for personal purposes or for others who do not pay for your work, and requires the Alert and User extensions. · mecha-cms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Core size
- The core system is less than 500 KB, and the site says it will remain under that size. · mecha-cms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Data and management
- The maker says all data is stored in one place and management can be done without a graphical user interface. · mecha-cms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Data management
- Data is stored in one place, and management activities can be done without a graphical user interface. · mecha-cms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Extensible
- Features are provided as extensions that can be added or removed at any time. · mecha-cms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Extensions
- Features are provided as extensions that can be added or removed at any time. · mecha-cms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- File access security
- The installation guide's Nginx example denies access to the engine and lot directories and to hidden files. · mecha-cms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · mecha-cms.com, 21 Sept 2026
- Hosting support
- The installation guide says Lighttpd support can be provided, with configuration contributed by external developers. · mecha-cms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Extensions can be published on Packagist and installed with Composer. · mecha-cms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Intended audience
- The repository describes Mecha as a flat-file CMS for minimalists. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Layouts
- The maker's store lists nine layouts, including free themes for blogs, galleries, and portfolios. · mecha-cms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- License
- The project repository identifies the software as GPL-3.0 licensed. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Optional control panel
- The README says the control panel is an extension and requires the Alert, Panel, and User extensions to activate the back end. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Product
- Mecha describes itself as a minimalist, flat-file web content management system. · mecha-cms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Mecha describes itself as a minimalist web content management system built to evolve. · mecha-cms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- The installation guide lists Apache 2.4 or higher with mod_rewrite enabled and PHP 7.3.0 or higher. · mecha-cms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Security
- The README says the optional back end can be removed from the public version to secure the website if the user does not trust the extension. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Self-hosted requirements
- The installation guide lists PHP 7.3 or above and Apache 2.4 or above with mod_rewrite; it also provides contributed configuration examples for Lighttpd and Nginx. · mecha-cms.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Small core
- The maker says the core system is less than 500 KB and will remain under that size. · mecha-cms.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Mecha CMS stands on Freedom251
- Blogging Platforms#90 of 125