Silex is an open-source, no-code website builder designed for freelancers and web studios who need to create real, production-ready static websites without sacrificing control. Built on GrapesJS and part of the JAMStack ecosystem, it combines a visual drag-and-drop interface with full access to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for advanced customization. Unlike traditional no-code tools, Silex generates static HTML files that are fast, secure, and easy to deploy—ideal for clients who need performance and maintainability. It supports both online and offline usage, with options to self-host via Docker or Node.js, and integrates with headless CMSs and static site generators. The platform is modular, built as a monorepo with plugins for data sources, AI copilots, and storage management, making it extensible for teams building custom web design workflows.
What You Get
- Visual Drag-and-Drop Editor - Create websites using an intuitive interface with real-time preview, supporting components like text blocks, images, buttons, and containers without writing code.
- Built-in HTML/CSS/JS Editors - When visual tools aren’t enough, users can directly edit code in embedded editors for fine-grained control over structure and styling.
- Static HTML Website Generation - Export fully functional static websites optimized for speed, SEO, and hosting on platforms like Netlify or GitHub Pages.
- Self-Hosting via Docker/Node.js - Deploy the Silex editor on your own server using provided Dockerfiles or Node.js scripts, with configuration options in .env and .silex.js files.
- Plugin System Based on GrapesJS - Extend functionality with plugins for data sources, AI assistance (AI Copilot), typography, storage rate limiting, and notifications—all built to work with the core editor.
- Sitemap Generation - Automatically generate sitemap.xml from static site output using the @silexlabs/sitemapgen package for improved SEO.
- Integration with Headless CMS and SSGs - Connect to external content sources and static site generators like Eleventy via plugins for dynamic data in static sites.
- Desktop App Support - Use the official Silex desktop application (Windows, macOS, Linux) for offline website development with local file storage.
- Silex Dashboard Plugin - Manage multiple websites and projects from a centralized dashboard, enabling teams to organize and publish sites efficiently.
Common Use Cases
- Building a client-facing brochure site with custom branding - A freelancer uses Silex’s visual editor to quickly assemble a 5-page website for a local business, then tweaks fonts and spacing with the CSS editor before exporting static files to Netlify.
- Creating a multi-page SaaS landing page with dynamic data - A web studio integrates the GrapesJS Data Source plugin to pull product data from a headless CMS, then uses AI Copilot to generate copy and layout suggestions before exporting to Eleventy for final build.
- Problem: Need to host a website builder internally due to data privacy → Solution: Self-host Silex via Docker - A legal firm deploys the Silex platform using the provided Dockerfile to allow non-technical staff to update their website without exposing content to third-party SaaS tools.
- Team workflow: Designers and developers collaborate on a static site project - Designers use the visual editor to build pages; developers add custom JavaScript via plugins or edit raw code. The Silex Dashboard helps track versions and publish updates across environments.
Under The Hood
The project is a JavaScript-based monorepo system designed to automate and streamline package builds, releases, and documentation within a multi-module environment. It emphasizes tooling and configuration over core logic, leveraging scripts and internal workflows to manage complex development processes.
Architecture
The project adopts a modular monorepo structure with clear separation of concerns across packages.
- Utilizes npm workspaces to manage multiple related modules in a unified repository
- Organizes functionality into distinct layers for configuration, utilities, and automation
- Implements script-driven workflows to handle build, release, and documentation tasks
- Encourages automation through internal tooling and validation scripts
Tech Stack
The system is built using JavaScript and Node.js, with a strong emphasis on shell scripting and configuration-based tooling.
- Relies on Node.js for core automation scripts and runtime environments
- Integrates Prettier for code formatting and Husky for Git hook management
- Employs custom shell scripts for cross-platform build and release operations
- Uses NVM for Node version consistency and dependency-graph for internal package tracking
Code Quality
Code quality is basic, with some adherence to style and structure but limited testing and consistency.
- Minimal test coverage with no formal test suite or dedicated test files
- Code formatting is enforced via Prettier, though naming and organization vary
- Error handling exists but is inconsistently applied across scripts
- Repetitive patterns like try/catch blocks indicate some technical debt
What Makes It Unique
Its unique value lies in its automation-first approach and integration of release workflows.
- Automates multi-package builds and changelog generation with minimal manual steps
- Combines shell scripts and JavaScript for robust, cross-platform tooling
- Integrates pre-commit hooks and linting to maintain consistency across the repository
- Focuses on internal tooling and release orchestration rather than feature-rich logic