11TA is an open-source blog starter template that combines Eleventy, TailwindCSS, and Alpine.js to produce a static website from Markdown posts and data files.
What is 11TA?
11TA (Eleventy + TailwindCSS + Alpine.js) is a ready-to-publish blog template that compiles Markdown content and configuration files from the /src/ directory into a fully static website. It runs entirely on the Eleventy static site generator, uses TailwindCSS for styling, and loads Alpine.js for client-side interactions. The template was built by the 11TA repository author and is maintained as a starter for multiple personal sites; the current version is 2.1, updated on 221018.
Key Features
- Text-based CMS — Manage site-wide settings through configuration files in the /src/_data/ directory, with frontmatter controls in Markdown posts to adjust layout and components.
- One-click Netlify deploy — The repository includes a Deploy to Netlify button and a Netlify status badge, so you can publish the site to Netlify's free hosting tier without manual configuration.
- Nunjucks component system — Reusable partials live in /src/_includes/components/*.njk and are controlled by frontmatter keys, which were updated in the v2.0.0 breaking change.
- Pre-configured TailwindCSS — The tailwind.config.js file is customized for the template, so utility classes work out of the box without additional setup.
- Alpine.js enabled — Alpine.js is baked in for lightweight interactivity like toggles and dropdowns without a heavier JavaScript framework.
- PrismJS syntax highlighting — The repository metadata lists PrismJS as part of the stack, enabling code blocks in blog posts to render highlighted.
- Live demo with examples — The demo site at 11ta.netlify.app includes a feature list and blog posts that demonstrate each shortcode, customization, and frontmatter option.
- Planned Snipcart integration — The roadmap includes adding Snipcart e-commerce capabilities for selling products from the static site.
Who is 11TA for?
Small business owners who want to update a website by editing Markdown and data files without a CMS backend. Developers who want to spin up a blog with a modern JAMstack stack and deploy to Netlify quickly. Content writers who need a clean blog that supports code snippets with PrismJS syntax highlighting. Designers who want to customize a TailwindCSS-based site by editing tailwind.config.js.
Use cases
- Personal bloggers: Publish Markdown posts with frontmatter controls for layout and components, then deploy to a free Netlify site.
- Portfolio sites: Use the template's blog structure to present case studies; the roadmap includes pre-built themed versions for portfolios and agencies.
- Tech writers: Structure documentation with code blocks and syntax highlighting, leveraging the starter's built-in PrismJS setup.
How does 11TA work?
Click "Use this template" on GitHub to duplicate the repository, or use the Deploy to Netlify button. Clone locally, run npm install, then npm run dev for local development. Edit Markdown files and configuration in /src/_data/, then commit; Netlify automatically builds the static site.
Pricing
11TA is free to use. The template itself is free on GitHub, and the recommended hosting, Netlify's free tier, costs nothing for basic static sites. The roadmap's Snipcart integration would add transaction fees if you enable e-commerce later.
Alternatives
Other Eleventy starters acknowledged in the project's credits include eleventy-base-blog, the official minimal starter by Zach Leatherman; eleventyone by Phil Hawksworth; and eleventy-tailwindcss-alpinejs-starter by Greg Wolanski, which pairs the same three technologies.
FAQ
Is 11TA free?
Yes, the template is freely available on GitHub and can be deployed to Netlify's free hosting tier. The author states they use it for personal sites and keeps it updated.
What do I need to run 11TA?
You need Node.js to install dependencies via npm and a Netlify account for one-click deployment. The template supports local development with npm run dev.
Does 11TA use a CMS?
Instead of a traditional CMS, 11TA uses a text-based CMS where content lives in Markdown files and site-wide settings live in configuration files inside the /src/_data/ directory. Frontmatter in each post controls layout and components.
Can I use 11TA for e-commerce?
Not out of the box now; the roadmap lists Snipcart integration as a planned feature. Until then, you can use it as a blog or portfolio.
What changed in version 2.0.0?
Version 2.0.0 introduced breaking changes to frontmatter keys, improving scalability for Posts and upcoming Products collections, and required updates to components, tailwind.config.js, and other templates.
