Castanet is a Hugo theme designed specifically for podcast websites, giving podcasters a ready-made structure for episodes, guests, hosts, and sponsors.
What is Castanet?
Castanet is a podcast-oriented theme for the Hugo static site generator, created and maintained by Matt Stratton. It takes Markdown content files for episodes, guests, hosts, and sponsors and renders them into a complete podcast website. The theme is heavily influenced by ado-hugo, another Hugo podcast theme by the same author, and is distributed through GitHub Releases as a downloadable zip file.
Key Features
- Podcast-specific content types — Castanet includes dedicated content structures for episodes, guests, hosts, and sponsors, with all settings documented in the REFERENCE.md file.
- Hugo-native — Built on Hugo, so sites compile to static HTML and can be deployed to any static host; the example site is hosted on Netlify.
- Example site — A live sample at https://sample-castanet.netlify.app/ shows the theme's layouts and structure before you install it.
- Simple installation — Download the latest release zip (not source code) from the Releases page and add it to your Hugo site.
- Proven in production — Live sites using the theme include Arrested DevOps, The R-Podcast, Page It to the Limit, and the Tech Debt Burndown Podcast.
- Community-driven — The repository has 124 stars, welcomes contributions via CONTRIBUTING.md, and offers an email newsletter for release announcements.
Who is it for?
- Podcasters who need a functional website quickly without designing layouts from scratch.
- Podcast networks that want a consistent look across multiple shows, as seen with the Armenian News Network / Groong Podcast.
- Hugo enthusiasts who prefer static site generators and want a podcast theme rather than a generic blog theme.
What can you do with Castanet?
- Publish episodes: Write episode Markdown files and the theme automatically generates episode pages.
- Profile hosts and guests: Create separate pages for each host and guest, helping listeners connect names to faces.
- Acknowledge sponsors: Add sponsor content so advertising partners get a dedicated page.
- Deploy globally: Because Hugo produces static files, you can host the site on Netlify, GitHub Pages, or any other static host.
How does Castanet work?
Install the theme by downloading the latest release zip from GitHub, then follow REFERENCE.md to configure your site. Castanet reads your Hugo content files — organized as episodes, guests, hosts, and sponsors — and outputs static pages. The README also links to Hugo's official quick start guide for users new to Hugo.
FAQ
How do I install Castanet?
Download the latest release zip from the GitHub Releases page, add it to your Hugo site's themes folder, and configure it through your Hugo config file. For Hugo basics, follow the official Hugo quick start guide linked in the README.
How are episodes, guests, hosts, and sponsors configured?
Castanet defines each as a separate content type. The REFERENCE.md document lists every configuration setting and explains how to structure content for all four types.
Is Castanet free?
Yes, Castanet is open source. The GitHub repository includes a license file and a contributing guide for anyone who wants to modify or improve the theme.
