Forge converts structured HTML into native themes for Hugo, Jekyll, Eleventy (11ty), Pelican, and WordPress. Add lightweight data markers to your HTML and generate engine-ready templates without rewriting your layout.
But What Started This?
Building sites across multiple CMS setups (WordPress) and static site generators (Pelican, Hugo, Eleventy/11ty, and Jekyll) revealed a gap. I wanted to share this with people who do similar work. As I slowly move away from client work and back into development, I noticed that every minute saved is a godsend.
What Forge does is simple:
- Start with structured HTML
- Add light data markers to create the template(s)
- Create templates for: Pelican, Hugo, Eleventy/11ty, Jekyll, and WordPress
- Generate an engine-native theme, skipping the manual rewrite
I focused on the SSGs and CMS platforms I use most (in no particular order):
What it does not do is eliminate the need to understand how each engine works. It is not AI, but it saves time, especially if you are like me and prefer HTML over page builders.
For example, you may still need to wire up pagination for SSGs (though this is planned for a future release), but WordPress follows the same pattern, so exposing navigation is straightforward. In short, 90-95% of the repetitive work is done and out of the way.
Like all software Aeriform makes, this comes with long-term support because we use it ourselves. We still do maintenance work for past clients (you know, bills), and they may want updates.
Here are some of the problems Forge was built to solve:
- Speed, and this is where SSGs like Hugo, Jekyll, Eleventy, and Pelican win.
- I want speed. Page builders are not really known for that.
- Easier modification of purchased themes (I am not a designer, but sometimes a client brings an HTML theme they want to use with WordPress).
- For some of my personal sites, I like trying new tech without changing the core content. For example: Eleventy looks cool, but Hugo powers this site, and I still want to give Eleventy a spin.
- Some clients want WordPress because that is all they hear about, but do they really need it?
- Divi and Elementor hide the good features behind a subscription.
- If someone really wants to use one, Forge allows for that.
- I can build most of it in HTML, so no page builder is required.
- I enjoy saving money.
- Subscriptions suck. I mean, they really suck. Every year, they cost just a little more.
- Pinegrow and Blocs are cool, but not that cool to me.