The NostalgiaPHP Manifesto

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