**HibbittsDesign.org** creates open-source software that turns Markdown into modern, self-managed websites for educators, digital publishers, and content creators, and supports the wider Markdown publishing community – built on over 25 years of experience in software interaction design, UX consulting, and higher education.
Start simple and grow into more capability over time: every tool here shares the same open, portable Markdown foundation, so your content moves with you at each step. Looking for hands-on guidance? Paul Hibbitts also offers additional professional services & support.
Want some background before diving into the tools? Paul's curated library covers Markdown publishing and UX design, building open-source projects & online learning insights.
Every path below shares the same Markdown foundation, but how you get there differs – an instant no-signup web app, a self-hosted GitHub-based site, or a database-free Grav CMS you control (free or premium theme). Find your match below.
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Which tool might be best for you?
“I want to publish right now” → Docsify-This Web App – no signup, just paste a link to a Markdown file you already have online.
"I'm comfortable with GitHub" → **Docsify Starter Kits** – your repository is the site.
"I want a database-free CMS I control" → free with Grav Open Source Projects, or premium with Helios Course Hub / Helios Open Reader (requires a paid theme license, directly funding continued open-source Grav CMS development). Requires a web server with PHP 8+.
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Built on the Grav Premium Helios theme, two pre-configured skeleton packages each leverage a modern visual design, context-aware search, and built-in versioning:
Both share the same Grav CMS (over 15K GitHub ★s) foundation as the open-source skeletons below, and install as the same ready-to-run packages.
Why Helios? These capabilities aren't available in the open-source Grav skeletons below. It's the right choice when you need a polished, contemporary experience – with visitor-selectable dark mode, rich documentation components, and keyboard-accessible search.
✅ All Grav Premium Helios projects are compatible with the recently released Grav 2.
Give your courses a modern, open home on the web – without building from scratch. This package transforms the Grav Premium Helios theme into a ready-to-run companion site for one or more courses. It includes course-aware search and pre-built example course pages, built on Grav CMS with Markdown file-based content that's open, portable, and constraint-free – no database, and a built-in browser-based Admin panel you fully control. Already teaching in Canvas, Moodle, Brightspace, or Blackboard? A free Common Cartridge Converter can bring your existing course over.
