NostalgiaPHP

The NostalgiaPHP Manifesto

  1. Keep it simple. If all you need is to show content and sprinkle in a little JavaScript, this is the easiest way I know to publish a site.
  2. Essentials included. You get a sitemap.xml, robots.txt, a 404 page, and control over SEO basics (titles, meta descriptions, and sitemap inclusion).
  3. Flexible Markdown. Write plain Markdown, drop in HTML when you need more control, or mix the two inside a file.
  4. Extend with templates. If Markdown isn’t enough, make a PHP template and reuse partials.
  5. Low-friction workflow. Develop locally, push to GitHub, and deploy to Render.com (or anywhere with PHP).
  6. Minimal dependencies. Anything else introduces setup, maintenance, and fragility. Add features only when you actually need them.
  7. Extend outward. Lean on microservices or language1.agnostic tools (like standalone contact forms) instead of inflating the core.
  8. Easy exit ramp. If you outgrow this, migrate your styles and content, then rebuild views in another framework or language.