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TryGhost/Ghost

Open source, headless Node.js publishing platform for blogs, memberships, subscriptions and newsletters.

Open-source alternative to:SubstackMediumWordPress

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What is it?

Ghost is an open source publishing platform built on Node.js. It is headless by design, so content is managed in its admin interface and delivered through a content API to any front end, while the bundled theme system handles the default site rendering. It targets independent writers and publications that want to run memberships, paid subscriptions and newsletters alongside their website.

The project provides a CLI, ghost-cli, for installing a local development instance or a production server with automatic SSL via Let's Encrypt. Official documentation covers recommended hosting, upgrades, theme development and the content API. The codebase is a TypeScript monorepo, and the project is released under the MIT license.

Ghost is also offered as a managed service, Ghost(Pro), which handles hosting, CDN, backups and maintenance for sites that do not want to self-host.

Key features

  • 01Headless architecture that exposes content through a content API
  • 02Built-in memberships, paid subscriptions and newsletter sending
  • 03Theme system for customizing the default site design
  • 04CLI installer with local and production modes, including automatic SSL
  • 05Official hosted option, Ghost(Pro), for managed deployment

Use cases

  • Independent writers launching a paid newsletter or membership site
  • Publications that want a CMS backend with a custom front end via the content API
  • Developers self-hosting a blog on their own Node.js server

Quick start

  1. 1

    Install the Ghost CLI globally with npm

    npm install ghost-cli -g
  2. 2

    Install a local instance of Ghost

    ghost install local
  3. 3

    For a server install with automatic SSL, see the production install docs and run the full install

    ghost install

Things to know

  • Production hosting requires self-managing a server, or paying for the Ghost(Pro) managed service.
  • Contributing to the monorepo requires working through the separate codebase documentation.

Topics

#cms#blogging#nodejs#publishing#newsletter#memberships#headless-cms#ghost#javascript#journalism

FAQ

What is Ghost?
Open source, headless Node.js publishing platform for blogs, memberships, subscriptions and newsletters. Ghost is an open source publishing platform built on Node.js. It is headless by design, so content is managed in its admin interface and delivered through a content API to any front end, while the bundled theme system handles the default site rendering. It targets independent writers and publications that want to run memberships, paid subscriptions and newsletters alongside their website.
Is Ghost free to use? What license does it have?
Ghost is open source under the MIT license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is Ghost still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to Ghost was on Oct 21, 2026.
What can I use Ghost for?
Independent writers launching a paid newsletter or membership site Publications that want a CMS backend with a custom front end via the content API Developers self-hosting a blog on their own Node.js server
How do I install Ghost?
Install the Ghost CLI globally with npm: npm install ghost-cli -g Install a local instance of Ghost: ghost install local For a server install with automatic SSL, see the production install docs and run the full install: ghost install
Where can I get Ghost?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/TryGhost/Ghost

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