Terminal-cookbook is a free, open-source Hugo theme that turns markdown recipe files into a static recipe-book website with a terminal-style interface. It relies on the TerminalCSS framework (which includes HighlightJS) and ships with no tracking, no analytics, and no dependencies on third-party servers. The theme is maintained by GitHub user rullmann and released under the MIT License.
What is terminal-cookbook?
Terminal-cookbook is a Hugo theme specifically designed for publishing collections of recipes. You provide recipe content as markdown files with YAML front matter — including title, summary, cooking time, tags, and an optional featured image — and the theme renders those files into a browsable static site. It uses Hugo's static site generator to produce pure HTML/CSS/JS output that can be hosted on any static host. The theme's visual style comes from TerminalCSS, a terminal-oriented CSS framework, and it includes code highlighting via the HighlightJS integration that TerminalCSS ships with.
Key Features
- Code highlighting — HighlightJS is built into TerminalCSS, so any code blocks inside recipe markdown get syntax-highlighted automatically.
- Tag support — Add tags to a recipe's front matter (for example vegetarian, simple, one-pot), and the theme groups recipes by tag for easier discovery.
- No tracking or analytics — The theme includes zero analytics or tracking code, keeping visitor data private.
- Self-contained assets — All CSS and JavaScript live inside the theme repository, meaning the site never makes requests to external CDNs or third-party servers.
- Featured images — Each recipe can reference a featured_image in its front matter; the image file is stored in the Hugo site's static folder and displays at the top of the recipe. The project recommends downscaling images to around 1024px in height.
- Tables via raw HTML — If the goldmark renderer is configured with unsafe mode, recipe authors can embed HTML tables in markdown to display ingredient amounts in a structured grid.
- Minimal configuration — The example config is a short TOML block that sets baseURL, languageCode, title, and theme; most recipes just need markdown files in content/recipes.
- License flexibility — Released under the MIT License, so you can fork the theme and adjust the styling (such as a light theme) by editing layouts/partials/head.html.
Who is it for?
- Home cooks and recipe bloggers — Publish a clean, fast recipe site without installing a CMS; write each dish as a markdown file and let Hugo build the static pages.
- Developers who love terminal aesthetics — Customize the theme through simple CSS edits to get a retro terminal look that matches their personal brand.
- Small food communities or newsletters — Use tags to organize recipes by dietary preference or meal type, then share the static site with readers at no hosting cost beyond any static host.
Use cases
- Personal recipe archive: Store family recipes in Git-friendly markdown, each with cooking time and tags, and build a permanent free site.
- Cooking class or workshop materials: Present step-by-step methods and ingredient tables in a readable, distraction-free format.
- Developer portfolio side-project: Combine writing skills and web development in a project that shows both content creation and Hugo theme configuration.
How does terminal-cookbook work?
To get started, add the theme as a Git submodule into a Hugo site using the command git submodule add https://github.com/rullmann/hugo-theme-terminal-cookbook.git themes/terminal-cookbook. Then copy the minimal TOML config, set the theme name to terminal-cookbook, and create markdown files under content/recipes. Each file uses front matter for recipe metadata and markdown body for ingredients and method; the Hugo build outputs a static site.
Pricing
The theme is free and open source, distributed under the MIT License. There are no paid tiers or premium features.
Alternatives
- hugo-cookbook — an earlier Hugo recipe theme that inspired terminal-cookbook.
- recipe-book — another Hugo recipe theme that also inspired the design and approach of terminal-cookbook.
FAQ
Is terminal-cookbook free?
Yes, the theme is open source and released under the MIT License, so you can use, modify, and redistribute it freely.
Does terminal-cookbook send any data to third parties?
No. The theme contains no tracking or analytics code, and all CSS and JavaScript are bundled in the repository, so there are no external server calls.
How do I add a recipe?
Create a markdown file in content/recipes with front matter fields like title, summary, time, tags, and an optional featured_image. Then list ingredients and method in the markdown body and let Hugo build the site.
Can I change the theme's terminal look?
Yes. Fork the repository and edit the root style in layouts/partials/head.html; you can copy the light theme styles from the TerminalCSS site's source code.
Does terminal-cookbook support tags?
Yes, tag support is built in. Add a tags list to a recipe's front matter, and the theme will generate tag pages that group related recipes.
