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turn your folder into a blog with blot

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Turn Your Folder into a Blog with Blot

Blot is a unique blogging platform that turns a plain folder — in Dropbox, Git, or your local computer — into a fully functional blog. Designed for writers and developers who prefer minimalism and control, it offers one of the most frictionless ways to publish online.

What Is Blot?

Created by David Merfield, Blot transforms plain text files into blog posts. You don’t write in a web interface. Instead, you simply drag files into a synced folder and they go live on your blog. Blot takes care of rendering Markdown, images, and even Word documents or HTML files.

Why Blot Is Different

  • No CMS UI: You don’t log in to a dashboard — your file system is your editor
  • Open format: Posts are just Markdown or HTML files
  • Control: You fully control the structure, layout, and hosting of your content
  • Fast publishing: Simply save a file to post

How Blot Works

Step 1: Sign Up and Choose a Folder Type

You start by choosing one of three sync options:

  • Dropbox: The easiest for non-developers
  • Git: Ideal for coders who want version control
  • Local folder: Manual sync for power users

Step 2: Set Up Your Blog

Blot assigns a subdomain (e.g., yourblog.blot.im). You can customize it with:

  • A theme from their minimal theme library
  • A custom domain name
  • Your own CSS and layout if needed

Step 3: Add Content

To publish, you just drop files into your blog folder:

  • .md or .txt files become posts
  • Filenames and front matter control titles, dates, slugs
  • Images, PDFs, and videos are auto-hosted

Features of Blot

Supported Content Types

  • Markdown (.md)
  • Plain text (.txt)
  • Word documents (.docx)
  • HTML files
  • Images, PDFs, and more

Custom Templates

Blot supports full control over layout using .mustache templates. Developers can fork an existing theme or build one from scratch.

Version Control (Git Option)

Writers comfortable with Git can manage their blog like code. Every commit is a content update. Perfect for those who blog via GitHub or GitLab.

Who Is Blot Best For?

Markdown Lovers

If you love Markdown and hate using WYSIWYG editors, Blot feels like a dream. Write in your favorite offline app — Typora, Obsidian, VS Code — then publish instantly.

Developers and Power Users

Blot is ideal for technically inclined bloggers. Its Git integration, template system, and folder-based structure make it ideal for developers who want control without bloat.

Writers Who Want Simplicity

It’s also great for minimalist writers. You don’t have to touch the terminal or code — just drop files in Dropbox. It’s like having a publishing studio in your desktop folder.

Pros and Cons of Blot

Pros

  • Unmatched simplicity: Just drop a file to publish
  • No CMS to manage: No web login needed
  • Customizable templates: Full design freedom
  • Flexible sync options: Dropbox or Git

Cons

  • No visual editor: Requires comfort with Markdown or code
  • Not ideal for teams: Built for single-author blogs
  • Paid model: After free trial, it costs $4/month

SEO and Speed

Blot serves pure HTML pages — lightning-fast and clean. You have full control over meta tags, permalinks, and titles through YAML front matter. Since there’s no JavaScript overhead, pages load instantly. This is great for SEO and UX.

Privacy and Analytics

Blot doesn’t track users or include analytics by default. You can add your own analytics (like Plausible or Matomo) manually into your layout. Since you manage content as files, you fully control what's published and how.

Tips for Using Blot Effectively

  • Name files clearly: Use dates and slugs like 2025-05-21-my-post.md
  • Use folders for structure: Create subfolders to group related posts
  • Automate with Git: Use GitHub Actions to push updates automatically
  • Customize themes gradually: Start with defaults, tweak later

Real Use Cases

Many academic bloggers, software engineers, and minimalist writers use Blot for:

  • Publishing essays and articles
  • Technical documentation
  • Digital gardening
  • Showcasing writing portfolios

Conclusion

Blot is not for everyone — but for the right kind of writer, it’s near perfect. If you want a quiet, powerful way to publish — without dashboards, plugins, or distractions — it gives you a space that feels both professional and personal. You write in your own space, with your own tools, and publish when ready. It’s blogging done differently — and better, for those who value minimalism, privacy, and control.

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