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Bridgetown
Bridgetown · Portland, Oregon, United States · founded 2020
What it is
Bridgetown is a free site generator that turns Markdown, layouts, and components into HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It can be used for static sites, full-stack applications, or combinations of the two. Static-site features include permalinks, Git-based content deployment, atomic builds, data pipelines, and pagination. Collections, taxonomies, and content relationships help organize content, which can be generated at build time or in real time and connected to a headless CMS or other web APIs. For full-stack work, the included Roda backend supports dynamic routes, server APIs, and database connections such as PostgreSQL. Templates can use ERB, Serbea, Streamlined, or Liquid, while components support modular views, web components, and Markdown inclusion. The frontend build system includes esbuild and PostCSS, and Ruby plugins can extend projects. Bridgetown supports Ruby and JavaScript; static output can be deployed anywhere serving HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files. Installation requires GCC and Make, Ruby 3.3 or newer, and Node 22.21 or newer. The source code is licensed under MIT.
For and against
For
- Supports static sites and full-stack applications.
- Connects content to headless CMSs and web APIs.
- Includes Roda routes, APIs, and PostgreSQL connectivity.
- Static output can be deployed wherever web files are served.
Against
- Installation requires GCC and Make.
- Requires Ruby 3.3 or newer and Node 22.21 or newer.
- Full-stack production hosting with databases and Redis has a recommended platform.
The verdict
Bridgetown spans static publishing and full-stack development, with content organization, templates, and plugin options. Its installation requirements and hosting considerations matter for prospective projects.
Who it suits
Bridgetown suits developers building static sites or Ruby-backed applications who want content collections, CMS connections, and extensible plugins. It is also relevant to teams comfortable meeting its stated installation requirements.
On the record
- CMS API Integration
- Content can connect to a Headless CMS and other web APIs.bridgetownrb.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- CMS integration
- Yesbridgetownrb.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Community Support
- The project provides community chat and Discord chat options.bridgetownrb.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Componentized Views
- Components support modular site design, frontend web components, and Markdown inclusion.bridgetownrb.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Content engine
- It supports content collections, taxonomies, relationships between content, and connections to headless CMSs and web APIs.bridgetownrb.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Content sources
- markdownbridgetownrb.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Core Technology
- Bridgetown is built on Ruby, Roda, and esbuild.bridgetownrb.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Current version
- The website identifies the current version as v2.2.2, codename “Verdant River City”.bridgetownrb.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Database Support
- The page specifically mentions connecting to PostgreSQL databases.bridgetownrb.com · read 28 Sep 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 · read 30 Sep 2026
- Deployment Options
- Static sites can deploy anywhere that supports HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files.bridgetownrb.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Frontend build
- The frontend build system includes zero-configuration esbuild and PostCSS.bridgetownrb.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Frontend Build System
- Bridgetown includes zero-config esbuild and PostCSS, with CSS and JavaScript library support.bridgetownrb.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Frontend tools
- Its frontend build system includes esbuild and PostCSS for JavaScript and CSS assets.bridgetownrb.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Full stack
- Bridgetown includes Roda-based server routes and supports server-side rendering and API routes.bridgetownrb.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Fullstack Backend
- Roda is included for dynamic routes, server APIs, and database-connected applications.bridgetownrb.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Full-stack features
- It includes Roda for server-rendered routes and APIs and can connect to databases such as PostgreSQL.bridgetownrb.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Incremental builds
- Yesbridgetownrb.com · read 20 Sep 2026
