Static Site Search in 2026: The Complete Guide (No Database Required)
Search on a static site sounds impossible. It is not. Three approaches that work, from simple JSON to WASM-powered full-text search.
Minimalist Web
Vanilla HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. No frameworks, no build steps, no bloat. Building fast websites that work forever.
Articles
Vanilla JavaScript vs React for Small Projects: The Honest 2026 Comparison
React is 42KB before you write a line of business logic. Vanilla JS is 2KB. For small projects, the math is simpler than you think.
SQLite FTS5 for Static Site Search Engines
Why use heavy databases? Learn how to generate static SQLite databases with FTS5 to query text instantly in the browser.
Vanilla CSS Grid Layouts for Blog Archives
Ditch CSS framework bloat. Learn how to write a highly responsive, auto-fitting blog card layout using pure native CSS grid.
Build an Ollama Client That Runs on 0.5MB RAM
Framework fatigue is real. Build a fully featured chat interface for Ollama using only plain HTML, CSS, and Vanilla JavaScript.
Static Site Search Engine Without a Database
A database is overkill for search on a static blog. Pre-build a lightweight JSON index and query it in the browser with simple JS.
Build a Contact Form Without a Backend
Static sites are great until someone says "can you add a contact form?" Here's how to handle it without spinning up a server.
Core Web Vitals Explained for Developers Who Don't Care About SEO
Google's performance metrics sound intimidating. They're actually just three simple questions about your site.
Dark Mode with Pure CSS (No JavaScript Required)
Everyone uses JavaScript for dark mode. Build a multi-theme system with zero JS using CSS radio inputs.
Vanilla JavaScript State Management Without a Framework
Redux has 1,800 GitHub issues. Your homemade state manager will have zero. Manage complex app state in plain JS.
Your Website Loads in 6 Seconds? Here's How to Hit Under 1 Second
Most websites are slow because of easily fixable mistakes. A prioritized checklist that makes the biggest impact.