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ikiwiki
What it is
ikiwiki is free, open-source software that compiles wiki pages into HTML for website publication. It generates a static site and refreshes pages when their source changes. Page history can be stored in Git or Subversion, or the wiki can operate without revision control. Markdown is the default markup, while plugins add WikiText, HTML, reStructuredText, and Textile. Any page can function as a blog, with RSS or Atom feeds. Plugins also provide directives, revision-control backends, and CGI features. Templates, CSS, and themes change generated layouts. Optional web editing supports registration, OpenID or HTTP basic authentication, and configurable edit permissions. Xapian can add full-text search. Packages are listed for several Linux distributions, BSD, Homebrew, and Guix; macOS and self-hosting are supported. The setup guide describes creating a working wiki with one command. GNU GPL version 2 or later licenses the software and documentation.
For and against
For
- Free open-source software
- Generates static HTML websites
- Supports Git and Subversion history
- RSS and Atom feeds available
- Custom domains, SSO, and version history supported
Against
- Web editing is optional, not automatic
- Allowing edits introduces documented security risks
- Production builds disable Perl taint checking
- Advanced setup may require manual configuration
The verdict
ikiwiki offers a lightweight, extensible path from wiki content to static web pages, with optional editing and revision control. Review its security guidance before enabling contributions from other users.
Who it suits
It suits users building self-hosted wikis, blogs, or static websites on Linux, macOS, or web infrastructure. Advanced users can choose manual setup and extensive plugin customization.
Plans and prices
ikiwiki
Free software; no paid plans stated
Read 9 Oct 2026 · ikiwiki.info
On the record
- Blogging and feeds
- Pages can be used as blogs with RSS or Atom feeds, and ikiwiki can aggregate external blogs.ikiwiki.info · read 9 Oct 2026
- Custom domain
- Yesikiwiki.info · read 20 Sep 2026
- Customization
- Templates, CSS, and themes can be used to change the appearance and layout of generated pages.ikiwiki.info · read 8 Oct 2026
- Editing and access
- Optional CGI features include browser-based editing and registration, with configurable authentication and edit controls.ikiwiki.info · read 9 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The project offers source downloads and packages for Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora, BSD systems, openSUSE, Arch Linux, Homebrew, and Guix.ikiwiki.info · read 9 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Its setup guide describes creating a wiki or blog and notes that advanced users may prefer a manual setup.ikiwiki.info · read 9 Oct 2026
- Known security caveat
- The security page says Perl taint checking is disabled for production builds because of a Perl bug.ikiwiki.info · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The project describes ikiwiki as Free Software.ikiwiki.info · read 9 Oct 2026
- Markup
- Markdown is the default markup, and plugins add support for formats including HTML, reStructuredText, Textile, and WikiText.ikiwiki.info · read 9 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- Plugins can add markup languages, directives, revision control backends, CGI behavior, and other features; plugins may be written in Perl or as external programs in any language using XML-RPC.ikiwiki.info · read 9 Oct 2026
- Project contributors
- The homepage says ikiwiki is developed by Joey and many contributors.ikiwiki.info · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- ikiwiki converts wiki pages into HTML pages for publishing on a website.ikiwiki.info · read 9 Oct 2026
- Revision control
- It stores pages and history in revision control systems such as Git or Subversion, and can also run without revision control.ikiwiki.info · read 9 Oct 2026
- Search
- Full-text search can be added using the Xapian search engine.ikiwiki.info · read 9 Oct 2026
- Security
- The project advises that public or multi-user editing requires attention to security risks, and provides configuration-specific security guidance.ikiwiki.info · read 9 Oct 2026
- Setup
- The setup tutorial says a fully functional wiki can be created with one command and describes web-based and revision-control-based editing.ikiwiki.info · read 8 Oct 2026
- SSO support
- Yesikiwiki.info · read 20 Sep 2026
- Static site generation
- It builds a static wiki website and updates pages when their source changes.ikiwiki.info · read 9 Oct 2026
