Zero JavaScript
Your HTML is served without a single byte of JavaScript. No React, no Vue, no bundle — just blazing-fast HTML.
Open-Source PHP CMS
No build.
No database.
No drama.
atoll is a modern flat-file CMS with island architecture. PHP 8.2+, no Node, no Docker — upload and go.
# Create a new project$git clone https://github.com/atoll-cms/atoll-starter my-site$cd my-site && composer install# Start the development server$php bin/atoll serve Starting atoll-cms on http://localhost:8080# Check for core updates$php bin/atoll core:check ✓ Core v1.4.2 — up to date
Features
Everything you need. Nothing you don't.
atoll delivers the tools for professional websites without the complexity of modern frameworks.
Island Architecture
Interactive widgets are only hydrated when they become visible. Search, gallery, forms — all as isolated islands.
Flat-File Storage
All content is Markdown with YAML frontmatter. Git-versionable, no database, no migrations. Copy files = backup.
Shared Hosting
PHP 8.2, a folder, done. No Node.js, no Docker, no CI/CD needed. Works on any €5/month host.
Secure by Default
CSRF protection, rate limiting, CSP headers, signed updates, IP-based admin access control. Security is not a plugin.
One-Click Updates
Core updates with a single CLI command. Signed releases, automatic backups before every update, instant rollback on issues.
Architecture
Core and project cleanly separated
atoll separates the updatable core from your project files. Updates never overwrite your content, themes or plugins.
Your project, your rules
The core provides the CMS engine, admin panel, routing and security. Everything you customise — templates, themes, plugins, content — lives in your project folder and is never touched by updates.
- Templates override core defaults — your own layouts and components always take priority
- Theme system with fallback chain — Site → Theme → Core Theme → Default
- Plugin hooks instead of monkey-patching — clean event-based extension
- Signed core updates — one command, backup included, rollback any time
my-site/ ├── content/# Your content │ ├── pages/# Markdown pages │ ├── blog/# Blog collections │ └── data/# YAML data files ├── templates/# Your overrides ├── themes/# Installed themes ├── plugins/# Installed plugins ├── core/# Updatable core │ ├── src/# CMS engine │ ├── admin/# Admin panel │ └── themes/# Default theme ├── config.yaml# Configuration └── index.php# Entry point
Comparison
How atoll fits in
Every tool has its strengths. Here's where atoll shines.
| Feature | atoll | WordPress | Kirby | Hugo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language | PHP 8.2+ | PHP 7.4+ | PHP 8.1+ | Go |
| Database | None | MySQL required | None | None |
| Admin Panel | Included | Included | From €99 | None |
| Island Architecture | Yes | No | No | No |
| Build step required | No | No | No | Yes |
| Shared Hosting | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Signed Updates | Yes | No | No | N/A |
| Price | Free (MIT) | Free (GPL) | From €99 | Free (Apache) |
Getting Started
Your website in three steps
No complicated setup. No toolchain study. Just get going.
Clone the project
The starter comes with everything — core, default theme, example pages.
git clone https://github.com/atoll-cms/atoll-starter my-site
cd my-site && composer installStart the server
One command starts the development server with auto-reload.
php bin/atoll dev 8080 # Open in browser:
# http://localhost:8080Write content
Create Markdown files, set frontmatter, done.
---
title: My Page
excerpt: A short description.
--- # Welcome
Write content in Markdown.