The Digital Press

The author argues that writing websites directly in pure HTML is often simpler and more straightforward than using static site generators, which add complexity through multiple source files and tooling dependencies. They highlight the mental ease and instant readiness of editing pure HTML files, especially when supported by modern or WYSIWYG editors.

Why it matters: Direct HTML editing eliminates the cognitive overhead of syncing source and output files in static generators.

The big picture: Despite many new static site tools, the simplest solution—writing plain HTML—remains underrated and effective.

The other side: HTML is tedious to write manually, but better editors can mitigate this pain, reducing reliance on generators.

Commenters say: Readers appreciate the simplicity and control of pure HTML, though some favor hybrid tools like Eleventy for flexibility.