Open-Source CMS · rochacbruno

marmite

Marmite is a minimal static site generator written in Rust that converts a directory of Markdown files into a flat HTML blog with RSS feeds, tags, and multi-language support. It prioritizes simplicity and zero-config startup, bundling everything into a single binary with built-in HTTP serving and live reload.

Talk to DEV.co Discuss Implementation

Source: GitHub — github.com/rochacbruno/marmite

861

GitHub stars

Forks

Rust

Primary language

AGPL-3.0

License (OSI-approved)

Key facts

Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.

Field	Value
Repository	rochacbruno/marmite
Owner	rochacbruno
Primary language	Rust
License	AGPL-3.0 — OSI-approved
Stars	861
Forks	53
Open issues	0
Latest release	0.4.0 (2026-07-06)
Last updated	2026-07-07
Source	https://github.com/rochacbruno/marmite

What marmite is

Rust-based SSG using CommonMark + GFM for Markdown parsing, Tera templating, and incremental image resizing with parallel processing. Supports frontmatter/filename metadata extraction, taxonomy taxonomies (tags, streams, series, authors, i18n), and build-time link validation. Single-command builds with optional workspace multi-site orchestration.

Quickstart

Get the marmite source

Clone the repository and explore it locally.

terminalbash

1git clone https://github.com/rochacbruno/marmite.git2cd marmite3# follow the project's README for install & configuration

Need it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.

Best use cases

Blogging & Personal Content Sites

Primary use case: chronologically ordered blog posts with tags, series, and author management. Zero-config start makes it ideal for individual creators or small editorial teams.

Multilingual Content & i18n Sites

Built-in language stream support with auto-discovery, hreflang SEO tags, and translation links. Simplifies publishing content in multiple languages without complex configuration.

Documentation & Knowledge Bases

Wikilinks, Obsidian link support, backlinks, and internal link validation enable wiki-like documentation. Flat HTML output and optional custom CSS/JS allow straightforward deployment to any host.

Implementation considerations

AGPL-3.0 license: Any modifications or derivative works must have source disclosed. If bundling or wrapping Marmite in a SaaS offering, obtain legal review before deployment.
Single binary deployment: No external dependencies simplify setup but require Rust toolchain or pre-built binaries for your target platform (available via cargo, pip, Homebrew, Docker).
Image processing: Automatic resizing uses parallel processing and incremental builds; verify storage I/O capacity for large media libraries.
Theme customization: Built-in theme includes responsive design and dark/light modes; custom templates via Tera require template language familiarity.
Workspace multi-site: Single command builds multiple sites; useful for publishing networks but requires careful config inheritance and cross-site reference management.

When to avoid it — and what to weigh

Complex Site Architecture Required — Marmite generates flat HTML by default; if you need deeply nested page hierarchies, custom routing, or dynamic category/taxonomy pages, consider Zola or Hugo.
Proprietary/Closed-Source Deployment — AGPL-3.0 license requires source disclosure if modifications are made and the tool is used to provide services. Commercial use requires legal review; not suitable for proprietary build pipelines without compliance.
High-Volume Dynamic Content — SSG output is static; not intended for real-time updates, user-generated content, or applications requiring server-side logic. If you need interactivity, use a full-stack framework.
Team-Based Content Workflows — No built-in CMS, editorial workflow, scheduling, or multi-user collaboration features. Relies on Git or manual file management; not suitable for non-technical teams or complex editorial processes.

License & commercial use

GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 (AGPL-3.0). Copyleft license requiring source code disclosure for modifications and derivative works. Network use triggers disclosure obligations.

AGPL-3.0 is not a permissive OSI license for commercial use without conditions. If you: (1) use Marmite unmodified in an internal tool, commercial use is likely permissible; (2) modify it or integrate it into a SaaS/service offering, source disclosure and compliance review are mandatory. Consult legal counsel before commercial deployment, SaaS integration, or proprietary distribution.

DEV.co evaluation signals

Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.

Signal	Assessment
Maintenance	Active
Documentation	Adequate
License clarity	Clear
Deployment complexity	Low
DEV.co fit	Good
Assessment confidence	High

Security considerations

Input validation for Markdown parsing (CommonMark standard); raw HTML allowed in Markdown—review for XSS if user-generated content is ingested. Internal link validation available as build-time check (optional strict mode). No mention of SBOM, vulnerability scanning, or security disclosure process. AGPL-3.0 source code available for audit; no claimed security certifications or penetration test results in data.

Alternatives to consider

Zola

More mature Rust SSG with deeper customization, hierarchical site structures, and permissive (MIT) license. Better for complex documentation and sites requiring nested taxonomies.

Hugo

Larger ecosystem, faster build times for very large sites, extensive plugin/theme marketplace. Go-based; permissive Apache 2.0 license. Steeper learning curve but more scalable for enterprise use.

Cobalt

Simpler Rust alternative also in Marmite's recommendations; focus on minimalism and Markdown-first approach. MIT license (permissive); smaller community but lower maintenance burden.

Software development agency

Build on marmite with DEV.co software developers

Marmite turns a folder of Markdown files into a fully featured blog with zero configuration. Install via curl, run one command, and deploy to any host.

Talk to DEV.co

Related open-source tools

Surfaced by semantic similarity across the DEV.co open-source index.

zola nesta puput

Related on DEV.co

Explore the category and the services that help you build with it.

Open-Source CMS Web App Development Cloud Deployment Talk to DEV.co

marmite FAQ

Can I use Marmite commercially?

AGPL-3.0 requires source disclosure if you modify it or integrate it into a service you offer. Unmodified use in an internal tool is likely permissible, but consult legal counsel before commercial deployment, especially for SaaS.

How do I deploy the generated site?

Output is flat static HTML; upload to any web host (GitHub Pages, Netlify, S3, VPS, CDN). No server-side runtime required. Built-in `--serve` is for development only.

Can I migrate from another SSG?

Marmite expects Markdown with optional frontmatter. If your existing SSG uses the same format, migration is straightforward file copy. If not, you may need a conversion script. Full migration path not documented in provided data.

Is Marmite suitable for large sites?

Designed for blogs and simple documentation; flat HTML output and no nested hierarchies limit scalability. For 10,000+ pages or complex site structures, Zola or Hugo are better choices.

Custom software development services

Need help beyond evaluating marmite? DEV.co is a software development agency offering software development services and web development for teams of every size. Our software developers and web developers build custom software, web applications, APIs, and open-source cms integrations — and maintain them long-term.

Start Your Blog in Minutes

Marmite turns a folder of Markdown files into a fully featured blog with zero configuration. Install via curl, run one command, and deploy to any host.

Talk to DEV.co Schedule a Consultation