metalsmith.html

Metalsmith

Plugin-based JS SSG. Treat everything as a transformation pipeline.

VISIT METALSMITH

Quick facts

  • LanguageJavaScript
  • CategoryJS / TS plain
  • LicenseMIT
  • Created2014
  • GitHub stars8.3k
  • Statusmature

Templating: Handlebars Markdown Pug plugin-defined

What it is

Metalsmith treats site generation as a series of plugin transformations. Files in, plugins transform them, files out. Flexible, plugin-heavy, smaller community than Eleventy or Astro.

Best for

  • Sites where the content workflow is non-standard
  • Teams that want to compose their pipeline from small plugins

When not to pick it

For most projects Eleventy or Astro will serve you better with less plugin assembly.

My take

Powerful but uncommon choice in 2026. Eleventy and Astro have both improved their plugin stories enough that the original Metalsmith case is weaker than it was.

Links

Similar tools you should also consider

Eleventy (11ty)

Zero-config JS-based SSG. Templates only, no client-side JS framework.

Read the take →

Astro

Multi-framework, content-first, ships zero JS by default. The default for SEO-heavy sites.

Read the take →

If Metalsmith is your pick — the next conversation is short

The 30-min call is where your project gets a real architecture, an SEO transport plan, and a price range you can take to your team. Describe your site, your timeline, your existing content. I tell you whether Metalsmith is genuinely the right call for you, and what the build actually looks like.