Vibecode Squarespace
track this build5 steps, step by step0%A portfolio or marketing site is easy to build, but Squarespace's paid value is templates, editor, hosting, commerce/forms, domains, and support.
You are building a lean indie version of Squarespace. Create the following project files first, then implement the application by following them. Keep the files updated as decisions change. Do not collapse this into a single README or prompt. ===== README.md ===== # Squarespace indie build ## Goal Build the smallest trustworthy replacement for the core Squarespace workflow for one developer or a tiny team. ## Scope Generate a static site from templates, add a small CMS, host it, and configure domain/forms. ## Quick start 1. Install the documented dependencies. 2. Copy `.env.example` to `.env`. 3. Run the development command chosen during implementation. 4. Complete the acceptance checks in `BUILD_PLAN.md`. ## Honest limits This build deliberately does not replace: - template quality - editor - hosting - ecommerce/forms - domains/email workflows - mobile-responsive polish - support If those capabilities are essential, use WordPress instead of pretending the gap is solved. ===== AGENTS.md ===== # Agent instructions - Optimize for a working, understandable weekend build. - Prefer the fewest moving parts that satisfy the brief. - Do not invent cryptography, security guarantees, APIs, or compliance claims. - Keep secrets out of source control and logs. - Add focused tests for destructive, security-sensitive, and data-loss paths. - Run the project checks before declaring the build complete. - Record any deliberate shortcut in the README under "Tradeoffs". ===== BUILD_PLAN.md ===== # Build plan ## Original build brief Build me a personal website to replace Squarespace: portfolio, blog, and a contact form. Requirements: - A static site built with Eleventy: home, about, a projects grid, and a blog. Content is Markdown files in content/, front matter for title/date/tags. - One layout system: a base template plus Nunjucks partials for header/footer/cards, system font stack, responsive images via @11ty/eleventy-img. No CSS framework. - Blog gets tag pages and an RSS feed generated at build time. - Contact form POSTs to a tiny Express handler that emails me via SMTP creds in .env and appends each message to data/messages.jsonl. Honeypot field for spam, no captcha. - npm run build outputs dist/; npm run deploy rsyncs dist/ to my VPS, served by Caddy with automatic HTTPS. Put the Caddyfile snippet in the README. - No accounts, no telemetry, no CMS database. Content lives in git, edits are commits. - Out of scope: a drag-and-drop editor, ecommerce, and switchable themes. I edit Markdown and CSS directly, that is the trade. - README: DNS records to set, Caddy snippet, SMTP setup for the form handler. ## Required capabilities - static hosting - domain/DNS - CMS or Markdown - form/email service - template system ## Delivery order 1. Scaffold the smallest runnable application and document its commands. 2. Implement the primary data model and core workflow. 3. Add validation, safe failure states, and persistence. 4. Cover the critical path with automated tests. 5. Exercise a clean install from the README and fix every missing step. ## Done when - A new user can go from clone to first successful workflow using only the README. - The core workflow works without paid infrastructure unless the brief requires it. - Tests cover the highest-risk behavior. - Known limitations are explicit rather than hidden. ===== .env.example ===== # Copy to .env and document every variable when it is introduced. # Never put real credentials in this file. APP_ENV=development # Add only values required by the selected implementation.
You are building a lean indie version of Squarespace. Create the following project files first, then implement the application by following them. Keep the files updated as decisions change. Do not collapse this into a single README or prompt. ===== README.md ===== # Squarespace indie build ## Goal Build the smallest trustworthy replacement for the core Squarespace workflow for one developer or a tiny team. ## Scope Generate a static site from templates, add a small CMS, host it, and configure domain/forms. ## Quick start 1. Install the documented dependencies. 2. Copy `.env.example` to `.env`. 3. Run the development command chosen during implementation. 4. Complete the acceptance checks in `BUILD_PLAN.md`. ## Honest limits This build deliberately does not replace: - template quality - editor - hosting - ecommerce/forms - domains/email workflows - mobile-responsive polish - support If those capabilities are essential, use WordPress instead of pretending the gap is solved. ===== AGENTS.md ===== # Agent instructions - Optimize for a working, understandable weekend build. - Prefer the fewest moving parts that satisfy the brief. - Do not invent cryptography, security guarantees, APIs, or compliance claims. - Keep secrets out of source control and logs. - Add focused tests for destructive, security-sensitive, and data-loss paths. - Run the project checks before declaring the build complete. - Record any deliberate shortcut in the README under "Tradeoffs". ===== BUILD_PLAN.md ===== # Build plan ## Original build brief Build me a personal website to replace Squarespace: portfolio, blog, and a contact form. Requirements: - A static site built with Eleventy: home, about, a projects grid, and a blog. Content is Markdown files in content/, front matter for title/date/tags. - One layout system: a base template plus Nunjucks partials for header/footer/cards, system font stack, responsive images via @11ty/eleventy-img. No CSS framework. - Blog gets tag pages and an RSS feed generated at build time. - Contact form POSTs to a tiny Express handler that emails me via SMTP creds in .env and appends each message to data/messages.jsonl. Honeypot field for spam, no captcha. - npm run build outputs dist/; npm run deploy rsyncs dist/ to my VPS, served by Caddy with automatic HTTPS. Put the Caddyfile snippet in the README. - No accounts, no telemetry, no CMS database. Content lives in git, edits are commits. - Out of scope: a drag-and-drop editor, ecommerce, and switchable themes. I edit Markdown and CSS directly, that is the trade. - README: DNS records to set, Caddy snippet, SMTP setup for the form handler. ## Required capabilities - static hosting - domain/DNS - CMS or Markdown - form/email service - template system ## Delivery order 1. Scaffold the smallest runnable application and document its commands. 2. Implement the primary data model and core workflow. 3. Add validation, safe failure states, and persistence. 4. Cover the critical path with automated tests. 5. Exercise a clean install from the README and fix every missing step. ## Done when - A new user can go from clone to first successful workflow using only the README. - The core workflow works without paid infrastructure unless the brief requires it. - Tests cover the highest-risk behavior. - Known limitations are explicit rather than hidden. ===== .env.example ===== # Copy to .env and document every variable when it is introduced. # Never put real credentials in this file. APP_ENV=development # Add only values required by the selected implementation.
You are building a production product version of Squarespace. Create the following project files first, then implement the application by following them. Keep the files updated as decisions change. Do not collapse this into a single README or prompt. ===== PRODUCT.md ===== # Squarespace product brief ## Problem A portfolio or marketing site is easy to build, but Squarespace's paid value is templates, editor, hosting, commerce/forms, domains, and support. ## Product outcome Generate a static site from templates, add a small CMS, host it, and configure domain/forms. ## Target user A serious builder who needs a maintainable product foundation rather than a one-off demo. ## Required capabilities - static hosting - domain/DNS - CMS or Markdown - form/email service - template system ## Explicit non-goals for v1 - template quality - editor - hosting - ecommerce/forms - domains/email workflows - mobile-responsive polish - support ## Success criteria - The primary workflow is measurable end to end. - Setup is reproducible in a clean environment. - Failure, recovery, and support paths are documented. - Product claims match what the implementation actually guarantees. ===== ARCHITECTURE.md ===== # Architecture ## Starting brief Build me a personal website to replace Squarespace: portfolio, blog, and a contact form. Requirements: - A static site built with Eleventy: home, about, a projects grid, and a blog. Content is Markdown files in content/, front matter for title/date/tags. - One layout system: a base template plus Nunjucks partials for header/footer/cards, system font stack, responsive images via @11ty/eleventy-img. No CSS framework. - Blog gets tag pages and an RSS feed generated at build time. - Contact form POSTs to a tiny Express handler that emails me via SMTP creds in .env and appends each message to data/messages.jsonl. Honeypot field for spam, no captcha. - npm run build outputs dist/; npm run deploy rsyncs dist/ to my VPS, served by Caddy with automatic HTTPS. Put the Caddyfile snippet in the README. - No accounts, no telemetry, no CMS database. Content lives in git, edits are commits. - Out of scope: a drag-and-drop editor, ecommerce, and switchable themes. I edit Markdown and CSS directly, that is the trade. - README: DNS records to set, Caddy snippet, SMTP setup for the form handler. ## Boundaries Separate the product into replaceable modules for interface, application logic, persistence, external integrations, and operational concerns. Keep domain logic independent from delivery frameworks and vendors. ## Production baseline - Configuration: validated at startup with safe local defaults where possible. - Security: least privilege, input validation, secret redaction, rate limits on abuse-prone paths, and no invented security primitives. - Data: explicit schema and migrations, transactional writes where integrity matters, backup and restore instructions. - Integrations: adapters around third-party providers, idempotent webhook or job processing, bounded retries, and timeouts. - Observability: structured logs with request or operation IDs, an error-tracking hook, and health/readiness checks where a server exists. - Quality: unit tests for domain rules, integration tests at module boundaries, and one end-to-end critical-path test. ## Decision records For each major dependency, document why it was chosen, its failure mode, and how it can be replaced. Do not introduce infrastructure until a requirement justifies it. ===== AGENTS.md ===== # Agent instructions - Read `PRODUCT.md` and `ARCHITECTURE.md` before changing code. - Implement milestone by milestone; keep each change reviewable and leave the application runnable. - Treat authentication, payments, encryption, imports, webhooks, and destructive actions as high-risk boundaries when present. - Never invent cryptography or silently weaken a requirement to make a test pass. - Use provider interfaces for external services and deterministic fakes in tests. - Add migrations and rollback or recovery notes for persistent data changes. - Log useful operational context without credentials, tokens, passwords, or personal data. - Update documentation and run all checks before completing a milestone. ===== MILESTONES.md ===== # Delivery milestones ## M0 — Decisions and scaffold - Confirm the runtime, persistence model, threat boundaries, and deployment target. - Create a reproducible local environment and continuous checks. ## M1 — Core workflow - Implement the smallest end-to-end product path with validation and tests. - Keep integrations behind interfaces. ## M2 — Trust layer - Add secure failure behavior, recovery paths, audit-relevant events, and data safeguards. - Test abuse cases and destructive operations. ## M3 — Operability - Add structured logs, error reporting hooks, health signals, backup/restore documentation, and deployment configuration. ## M4 — Release gate - Run a clean-install test, critical-path end-to-end test, dependency review, and documented rollback exercise. - Compare the shipped behavior with `PRODUCT.md` and publish remaining limitations. ===== OPERATIONS.md ===== # Operations ## Before release - Validate configuration and secrets at startup. - Define backup, restore, and rollback procedures and test them. - Document logs, error tracking, health signals, and alert ownership. - Set dependency update and vulnerability review expectations. ## Incident checklist 1. Contain the issue without destroying evidence or user data. 2. Record the timeline and affected scope. 3. Rotate exposed secrets and revoke compromised sessions or credentials. 4. Restore from a verified source when needed. 5. Document the root cause, remediation, and regression test. ## Launch constraint Do not market omitted Squarespace capabilities as implemented. The v1 non-goals in `PRODUCT.md` remain user-visible limitations until they are deliberately delivered.
# Squarespace indie build ## Goal Build the smallest trustworthy replacement for the core Squarespace workflow for one developer or a tiny team. ## Scope Generate a static site from templates, add a small CMS, host it, and configure domain/forms. ## Quick start 1. Install the documented dependencies. 2. Copy `.env.example` to `.env`. 3. Run the development command chosen during implementation. 4. Complete the acceptance checks in `BUILD_PLAN.md`. ## Honest limits This build deliberately does not replace: - template quality - editor - hosting - ecommerce/forms - domains/email workflows - mobile-responsive polish - support If those capabilities are essential, use WordPress instead of pretending the gap is solved.
# Agent instructions - Optimize for a working, understandable weekend build. - Prefer the fewest moving parts that satisfy the brief. - Do not invent cryptography, security guarantees, APIs, or compliance claims. - Keep secrets out of source control and logs. - Add focused tests for destructive, security-sensitive, and data-loss paths. - Run the project checks before declaring the build complete. - Record any deliberate shortcut in the README under "Tradeoffs".
# Build plan ## Original build brief Build me a personal website to replace Squarespace: portfolio, blog, and a contact form. Requirements: - A static site built with Eleventy: home, about, a projects grid, and a blog. Content is Markdown files in content/, front matter for title/date/tags. - One layout system: a base template plus Nunjucks partials for header/footer/cards, system font stack, responsive images via @11ty/eleventy-img. No CSS framework. - Blog gets tag pages and an RSS feed generated at build time. - Contact form POSTs to a tiny Express handler that emails me via SMTP creds in .env and appends each message to data/messages.jsonl. Honeypot field for spam, no captcha. - npm run build outputs dist/; npm run deploy rsyncs dist/ to my VPS, served by Caddy with automatic HTTPS. Put the Caddyfile snippet in the README. - No accounts, no telemetry, no CMS database. Content lives in git, edits are commits. - Out of scope: a drag-and-drop editor, ecommerce, and switchable themes. I edit Markdown and CSS directly, that is the trade. - README: DNS records to set, Caddy snippet, SMTP setup for the form handler. ## Required capabilities - static hosting - domain/DNS - CMS or Markdown - form/email service - template system ## Delivery order 1. Scaffold the smallest runnable application and document its commands. 2. Implement the primary data model and core workflow. 3. Add validation, safe failure states, and persistence. 4. Cover the critical path with automated tests. 5. Exercise a clean install from the README and fix every missing step. ## Done when - A new user can go from clone to first successful workflow using only the README. - The core workflow works without paid infrastructure unless the brief requires it. - Tests cover the highest-risk behavior. - Known limitations are explicit rather than hidden.
# Copy to .env and document every variable when it is introduced. # Never put real credentials in this file. APP_ENV=development # Add only values required by the selected implementation.
# Squarespace product brief ## Problem A portfolio or marketing site is easy to build, but Squarespace's paid value is templates, editor, hosting, commerce/forms, domains, and support. ## Product outcome Generate a static site from templates, add a small CMS, host it, and configure domain/forms. ## Target user A serious builder who needs a maintainable product foundation rather than a one-off demo. ## Required capabilities - static hosting - domain/DNS - CMS or Markdown - form/email service - template system ## Explicit non-goals for v1 - template quality - editor - hosting - ecommerce/forms - domains/email workflows - mobile-responsive polish - support ## Success criteria - The primary workflow is measurable end to end. - Setup is reproducible in a clean environment. - Failure, recovery, and support paths are documented. - Product claims match what the implementation actually guarantees.
# Architecture ## Starting brief Build me a personal website to replace Squarespace: portfolio, blog, and a contact form. Requirements: - A static site built with Eleventy: home, about, a projects grid, and a blog. Content is Markdown files in content/, front matter for title/date/tags. - One layout system: a base template plus Nunjucks partials for header/footer/cards, system font stack, responsive images via @11ty/eleventy-img. No CSS framework. - Blog gets tag pages and an RSS feed generated at build time. - Contact form POSTs to a tiny Express handler that emails me via SMTP creds in .env and appends each message to data/messages.jsonl. Honeypot field for spam, no captcha. - npm run build outputs dist/; npm run deploy rsyncs dist/ to my VPS, served by Caddy with automatic HTTPS. Put the Caddyfile snippet in the README. - No accounts, no telemetry, no CMS database. Content lives in git, edits are commits. - Out of scope: a drag-and-drop editor, ecommerce, and switchable themes. I edit Markdown and CSS directly, that is the trade. - README: DNS records to set, Caddy snippet, SMTP setup for the form handler. ## Boundaries Separate the product into replaceable modules for interface, application logic, persistence, external integrations, and operational concerns. Keep domain logic independent from delivery frameworks and vendors. ## Production baseline - Configuration: validated at startup with safe local defaults where possible. - Security: least privilege, input validation, secret redaction, rate limits on abuse-prone paths, and no invented security primitives. - Data: explicit schema and migrations, transactional writes where integrity matters, backup and restore instructions. - Integrations: adapters around third-party providers, idempotent webhook or job processing, bounded retries, and timeouts. - Observability: structured logs with request or operation IDs, an error-tracking hook, and health/readiness checks where a server exists. - Quality: unit tests for domain rules, integration tests at module boundaries, and one end-to-end critical-path test. ## Decision records For each major dependency, document why it was chosen, its failure mode, and how it can be replaced. Do not introduce infrastructure until a requirement justifies it.
# Agent instructions - Read `PRODUCT.md` and `ARCHITECTURE.md` before changing code. - Implement milestone by milestone; keep each change reviewable and leave the application runnable. - Treat authentication, payments, encryption, imports, webhooks, and destructive actions as high-risk boundaries when present. - Never invent cryptography or silently weaken a requirement to make a test pass. - Use provider interfaces for external services and deterministic fakes in tests. - Add migrations and rollback or recovery notes for persistent data changes. - Log useful operational context without credentials, tokens, passwords, or personal data. - Update documentation and run all checks before completing a milestone.
# Delivery milestones ## M0 — Decisions and scaffold - Confirm the runtime, persistence model, threat boundaries, and deployment target. - Create a reproducible local environment and continuous checks. ## M1 — Core workflow - Implement the smallest end-to-end product path with validation and tests. - Keep integrations behind interfaces. ## M2 — Trust layer - Add secure failure behavior, recovery paths, audit-relevant events, and data safeguards. - Test abuse cases and destructive operations. ## M3 — Operability - Add structured logs, error reporting hooks, health signals, backup/restore documentation, and deployment configuration. ## M4 — Release gate - Run a clean-install test, critical-path end-to-end test, dependency review, and documented rollback exercise. - Compare the shipped behavior with `PRODUCT.md` and publish remaining limitations.
# Operations ## Before release - Validate configuration and secrets at startup. - Define backup, restore, and rollback procedures and test them. - Document logs, error tracking, health signals, and alert ownership. - Set dependency update and vulnerability review expectations. ## Incident checklist 1. Contain the issue without destroying evidence or user data. 2. Record the timeline and affected scope. 3. Rotate exposed secrets and revoke compromised sessions or credentials. 4. Restore from a verified source when needed. 5. Document the root cause, remediation, and regression test. ## Launch constraint Do not market omitted Squarespace capabilities as implemented. The v1 non-goals in `PRODUCT.md` remain user-visible limitations until they are deliberately delivered.
$ choose a build depth, inspect the files, then open the complete pack in your agent · this prompt is generated from the build plan · improve it via PR
They pay because it removes design, hosting, and maintenance from the website project.
xtemplate quality
xeditor
xhosting
xecommerce/forms
xdomains/email workflows
xmobile-responsive polish
xsupport
Don't feel like building it? These folks already made it free.
all 4 free alternatives to Squarespace →· no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
Squarespace pricing
| plan | monthly | annual (per mo) | what you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| basic | $25/workspace | $16/workspace | 1 website, up to 1,000 pages, 2 contributors, unlimited products, 30 minutes video storage; 2% commerce fee and 7% digital-product fee |
| core | $36/workspace | $23/workspace | 1 website, up to 1,000 pages, unlimited contributors and products, 5 hours video storage; 0% commerce fee and 5% digital-product fee |
| plus | $56/workspace | $39/workspace | 1 website, up to 1,000 pages, unlimited contributors and products, 50 hours video storage; 0% commerce fee and 1% digital-product fee |
| advanced | $139/workspace | $99/workspace | 1 website, up to 1,000 pages, unlimited contributors, products and video storage; 0% commerce and digital-product fees |
free tierno free tier; 14-day private website trial with no credit card, up to 5 contributors during the trial
billingmonthly + annual; every website is a separate subscription and annual plans are billed upfront
hidden costsBasic adds a 2% commerce fee and 7% digital-product fee; Core adds 5% on digital products and Plus 1%, all on top of payment processing. Each site is billed separately; the free domain and one Core+ Google Workspace inbox last only the first year, while domains, extra email users, Acuity Scheduling and Email Campaigns renew separately.
verified 2026-08-14 · source ↗
Vibecode Squarespace
Kinda. The core of Squarespace is buildable in a weekend with the prompt on this page, but there are real gaps: template quality, editor. Read the honest list above before committing.
How much does Squarespace cost?
Squarespace costs about $25/month (Basic, checked 2026-07-30), which is $300 per year.
What do I lose by replacing Squarespace?
Honestly: template quality; editor; hosting; ecommerce/forms; domains/email workflows; mobile-responsive polish; support. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to Squarespace?
Yes: Odoo Community (Website, blog, store, CRM and business apps in one enormous suite; elegance was not the design brief.) WooCommerce (WordPress pages, blogs, portfolios and a real store; no platform rent, plenty of plugin and server housekeeping.) Microweber (Drag-and-drop pages, blogging and ecommerce without a licence bill; hosting and updates move in with you.) All 4 curated free alternatives are at vibecodeit.com/squarespace/alternatives. The prompt is for when you want it exactly your way.