What Is GAX?

GAX is a Go static site generator (Go SSG) that compiles Markdown content and templates into static HTML you can deploy to any host. It is built as a simpler alternative to Hugo, with pre-built themes, YAML configuration, and auto collections.

This guide explains what GAX does, how it works, what comes with it, and when it makes sense to use it instead of another static site generator.

What GAX Does

GAX takes a folder of Markdown files and turns it into a static website. It handles the parts that are tedious to build yourself:

  • Markdown to HTML — write .md files, GAX renders them
  • Collections — blog lists, tag pages, and pagination are generated automatically
  • SEO output — sitemap.xml, rss.xml, and robots.txt are written on every build
  • Static output — the final result is a site/ folder you deploy anywhere

You write content. GAX handles structure, metadata, and output.

How GAX Works

GAX follows the same build model as Hugo, Jekyll, and 11ty: content in, static site out.

1. Content Folder

All content lives in content/. Each Markdown file becomes a page. Folder structure becomes URL structure.


content/
  index.md
  about.md
  blog/
    what-is-gax.md
    gax-vs-hugo.md

The file content/blog/what-is-gax.md becomes /blog/what-is-gax/.

2. Frontmatter

Each Markdown file starts with YAML frontmatter that defines the page metadata:


---
title: "What Is GAX?"
description: "GAX is a Go static site generator."
date: 2026-09-11
tags:
  - golang
  - ssg
---

GAX reads this, applies it to the layout, and generates the page with proper title, meta description, and tag links.

3. Templates

Layouts and partials live in templates/. GAX uses .gax template files with includes, loops, and frontmatter access.

4. Configuration

Site-wide settings live in _data/config.yaml — navigation, footer, brand, social links, and widget content.

5. Build Output

Running gax build compiles everything into a site/ folder:


site/
  index.html
  about/
    index.html
  blog/
    what-is-gax/
      index.html
  sitemap.xml
  rss.xml
  robots.txt

Upload that folder to any static host.

What Comes With GAX

GAX includes the parts that normally take the most time to set up:

Pre-Built Themes

GAX Pro ships with premium themes for real-world sites:

  • SaaS / startup landing pages
  • Documentation portals
  • Portfolio / agency sites
  • Blog / publication layouts

Each theme includes layouts, SEO defaults, and a content structure that works without heavy configuration.

SEO Defaults

Every build generates:

  • sitemap.xml — full page index for search engines
  • rss.xml — feed for blog readers
  • robots.txt — crawler rules
  • Title, description, and canonical tags from frontmatter

You do not need a plugin or configuration to enable these. They are built in.

Auto Collections

Drop a Markdown file into content/blog/, and GAX:

  • Adds it to the blog list
  • Creates a tag page for each tag
  • Generates pagination
  • Adds next and previous links

No manual index files, no taxonomy configuration.

Simple Content Model

Markdown plus YAML frontmatter. No database, no admin panel, no lock-in. Your content is plain text, version-controlled in Git.

GAX vs Other Go Static Site Generators

GAX is not the only Go SSG. Hugo is the most established. Here is how they compare:

Feature GAX Hugo
Language Go Go
Install Single binary Single binary
Template syntax .gax layouts (Liquid-like) Go templates with pipelines
Theme model Pre-built premium themes Large ecosystem, wide range of quality
Content structure Simple, auto collections Flexible, configurable taxonomy
SEO defaults Built in Depends on theme
Learning curve Low Medium to high
Best for Teams wanting a finished theme Teams with custom taxonomy needs

Both are valid choices. GAX is optimized for teams that want a finished site quickly. Hugo is optimized for teams that want maximum flexibility.

Read the full comparison: GAX vs Hugo.

When to Use GAX

GAX is a good fit if:

  • You want a finished theme, not a starter kit
  • You want SEO defaults without configuration
  • You prefer Markdown and YAML over a database
  • You deploy to static hosting like Vercel, Netlify, Cloudflare, or a VPS
  • You want a smaller, simpler codebase than Hugo

When Not to Use GAX

GAX is not the right fit if:

  • You need a real-time CMS with an admin panel
  • You need user accounts or dynamic content per request
  • You have complex taxonomy requirements that Hugo handles better
  • You depend on Hugo-specific shortcodes or plugins

For those cases, a traditional CMS or Hugo may be a better choice.

Getting Started With GAX

The GAX engine is free and open source. Premium themes are available separately.

FAQ

What does GAX stand for?

GAX is the name of the static site generator. It does not stand for an acronym — it is a project name.

Is GAX free?

The GAX engine is free and open source on GitHub. Premium themes and custom builds are paid products.

Does GAX require Node.js?

No. GAX is a single compiled Go binary. No Node.js, no node_modules, no JavaScript toolchain.

Is GAX a Hugo alternative?

Yes. GAX is built as a simpler alternative to Hugo, focused on pre-built themes and simple content structure.

Where can I deploy a GAX site?

Any static host: Vercel, Netlify, Cloudflare Pages, GitHub Pages, cPanel, or a VPS. Build once, upload the site/ folder.

Can I use GAX for commercial projects?

Yes. The GAX Pro theme license covers commercial use on unlimited sites.

Do I need to know Go to use GAX?

No. You write content in Markdown and set page metadata in YAML. Go knowledge is only needed if you want to modify the engine itself.

Can I migrate an existing Hugo or Jekyll site to GAX?

Yes. Markdown content usually carries over with minor adjustments. Read Migrating from Hugo to GAX for the full process.