---
title: "A Few Thoughts About... Flat-file CMSs"
date: 11/13/2015
published: true
taxonomy:
    category: blog
    tag:
        - FlatFileCMS
        - GitHub
        - GravCMS
metadata:
    'twitter:card' : summary
    'twitter:site' : @hibbittsdesign
    'twitter:title' : A Few Thoughts About Flat-file CMSs
    'twitter:description' : A collection of a few recent thoughts about flat-file CMSs.
---

_But first, what does the term 'flat-file CMS' mean? In a nutshell, content is stored as individual text files rather than in a database._

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The fact that a flat-file CMS uses files vs. database is secondary: the game changer is the ECOSYSTEM available, i.e. GitHub, Markdown, etc.</p>&mdash; Hibbitts Design (@hibbittsdesign) <a href="https://twitter.com/hibbittsdesign/status/665245264379187201">November 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">More and more I see flat-file CMS&#39;s as a solid candidate for e-portfolios too: no database, portable, and simple to install/transfer/backup.</p>&mdash; Hibbitts Design (@hibbittsdesign) <a href="https://twitter.com/hibbittsdesign/status/664853954887421955">November 12, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hosting a flat-file (no DB) CMS course site on GitHub not only puts everything in the open, but also streamlines workflow + enables collab.</p>&mdash; Hibbitts Design (@hibbittsdesign) <a href="https://twitter.com/hibbittsdesign/status/662030545250029568">November 4, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I think many educators default to WordPress because, well it&#39;s WP. Flat-file CMS&#39;s enable GitHub collab and don&#39;t lock-in content into a DB.</p>&mdash; Hibbitts Design (@hibbittsdesign) <a href="https://twitter.com/hibbittsdesign/status/662027952641736704">November 4, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Being able to create dynamic + collaborative learning environments in the open on GitHub is an underappreciated aspect of flat-file CMS&#39;s.</p>&mdash; Hibbitts Design (@hibbittsdesign) <a href="https://twitter.com/hibbittsdesign/status/649336394276429825">September 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Example course companion w. flipped-LMS approach: <a href="http://t.co/V4gRb8kA5t">http://t.co/V4gRb8kA5t</a> Related posts: <a href="https://t.co/zuPIF9YCcJ">https://t.co/zuPIF9YCcJ</a> and <a href="https://t.co/WNJH6248Z3">https://t.co/WNJH6248Z3</a></p>&mdash; Hibbitts Design (@hibbittsdesign) <a href="https://twitter.com/hibbittsdesign/status/642849942134886400">September 12, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A flat-file CMS + GitHub = collaborative editing of content &amp; behavior (code) for dynamic learning platforms <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/opened?src=hash">#opened</a> <a href="http://t.co/PGskqTpZtx">pic.twitter.com/PGskqTpZtx</a></p>&mdash; Hibbitts Design (@hibbittsdesign) <a href="https://twitter.com/hibbittsdesign/status/639142569918640128">September 2, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">CMS workflow nirvana? <a href="https://twitter.com/getgrav">@getgrav</a> (flat-file CMS) ➨ GitHub (version control &amp; collab editing) ➨ <a href="https://twitter.com/deployhq">@deployhq</a> (auto server deployments) ➨ Web host</p>&mdash; Hibbitts Design (@hibbittsdesign) <a href="https://twitter.com/hibbittsdesign/status/636230420086984705">August 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
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