zola

Fast Rust-based static site generator

TLDR

Create a new site

$ zola init [site_name]

Build the site

$ zola build

Start development server

$ zola serve

Serve on specific port

$ zola serve -p [8080]

Build with custom output directory

$ zola build -o [public]

Check for errors without building

$ zola check

Check site structure, skipping external link validation

$ zola check --skip-external-links

Serve with auto-open in browser

$ zola serve --open

Initialize site in non-empty directory

$ zola init --force [site_name]

SYNOPSIS

zola [options] command [arguments]

Zola is a fast static site generator written in Rust. It combines content (Markdown files), templates (Tera templating), and configuration into a static website.The site structure includes:- content/ - Markdown files organized as sections- templates/ - Tera HTML templates- static/ - Static assets copied directly- themes/ - Optional downloadable themes- config.toml - Site configurationZola features include syntax highlighting, automatic table of contents, taxonomies (tags, categories), shortcodes, and built-in Sass compilation.The development server provides live reload, rebuilding automatically when files change.

PARAMETERS

-c, --config file

Path to config file (default: config.toml)

-r, --root dir

Site root directory

-o, --output-dir dir

Output directory for build

-p, --port port

Port for serve command (default: 1111)

-i, --interface addr

Interface to bind server (default: 127.0.0.1)

-u, --base-url url

Override base URL from config

--open

Automatically open site in browser (serve only)

--force

Overwrite existing output directory without prompting

--drafts

Include draft content

--skip-external-links

Skip external link validation (check only)

SUBCOMMANDS

init name

Create new site scaffolding

build

Build the static site

serve

Start local development server with live reload

check

Validate site without building

completion shell

Generate shell completions

CAVEATS

Zola uses Tera templating, which differs from Hugo, Jekyll, or other static site generators. Template migration requires rewriting.No plugin system. Extensibility is limited to shortcodes and templates.Large sites with many pages may have noticeable build times, though Zola is generally faster than alternatives.

HISTORY

Zola was created by Vincent Prouillet and originally named Gutenberg. It was renamed to Zola in 2018 (after Emile Zola). Written in Rust, it was designed as a single-binary alternative to static site generators like Hugo and Jekyll, emphasizing simplicity and build speed.