Jam11ty is a starter theme for the Eleventy (11ty) static site generator that pairs a NodeJS-based JAMstack architecture with Netlify CMS for headless content management.
What is Jam11ty?
Jam11ty is a version 0.1 starter theme built on 11ty that provides a JAMstack foundation for static websites. It takes content managed through Netlify CMS and outputs a static HTML site, with the back-end running on NodeJS and deployment intended for Netlify. The theme is authored by Andrew Rico and includes RSS and syntax highlighting plugins out of the box.
Key Features
- JAMstack architecture — The theme is built around JavaScript, APIs, and Markup, using 11ty to generate static pages and Netlify to handle serverless functions and deployment.
- Netlify CMS admin — Editors get a browser-based admin interface for creating and managing content without touching code.
- PWA support — Progressive web app capabilities are included, allowing sites to be installed and work offline.
- Mobile-first design — The layout is designed for mobile screens first, scaling up to larger viewports.
- WCAG 2.1 compliance — Accessibility standards are targeted so sites meet WCAG 2.1 guidelines for users with disabilities.
- Built-in plugins — The theme ships with an RSS feed plugin and a syntax highlighting plugin for code blocks.
- Headless e-commerce roadmap — Future plans include adding headless e-commerce support, WebComponents, and dark/light mode toggling.
Who is it for?
Jam11ty is for developers and content creators who want an 11ty-based starter for personal websites. Static site developers can use it to spin up a blog or portfolio with Netlify CMS as the content layer. Designers building client sites can leverage the JAMstack setup and accessibility compliance as a baseline. E-commerce teams can watch the roadmap, as headless commerce is planned for upcoming versions.
What can you do with Jam11ty?
- Personal bloggers: Set up a Markdown-based blog with a built-in RSS feed and syntax-highlighted code snippets, deployed to Netlify.
- Portfolio owners: Create a professional portfolio site with a JAMstack foundation, mobile-first styling, and Netlify CMS for updating projects.
- Agencies or freelancers: Use the WCAG 2.1 compliant starting point to build accessible client websites, with Netlify CMS giving clients a friendly editing interface.
How does Jam11ty work?
Getting started requires cloning the repository, installing dependencies with npm install, and running npm start to launch a local development server. Content is managed through Netlify CMS, which writes Markdown files that 11ty compiles into static HTML for deployment to Netlify.
FAQ
Is Jam11ty free?
The repository is an open-source starter theme, and the quickstart instructions are designed for free use with Netlify's free tier.
What is Jam11ty's relationship to 11ty?
Jam11ty is a starter theme built on the 11ty (Eleventy) static site generator, using NodeJS on the back end and 11tyJS for front-end templating.
Does Jam11ty include a CMS?
Yes, it integrates Netlify CMS, providing an admin interface for editing content that is stored as Markdown files.
