A plaintext recipe database for hackers using Markdown and Jekyll.
Chowdown is a simple, plaintext recipe database for hackers that stores recipes in Markdown format and uses Jekyll to generate a static recipe website. It solves the problem of overcomplicated recipe apps by providing a lightweight, version-controlled way to manage cooking recipes.
Developers, hackers, and tech-savvy home cooks who prefer plaintext workflows and want a customizable, self-hosted recipe database.
Developers choose Chowdown for its simplicity, use of Markdown for easy editing, and integration with static site generators like Jekyll, allowing full control over hosting and customization without proprietary platforms.
Simple recipes in Markdown format
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Recipes are stored as plain Markdown files with frontmatter for ingredients and directions, making them human-readable and easy to edit, as detailed in the /_recipes folder structure.
Allows building complex recipes from smaller components stored in /_components, enabling modular management, as shown in the Red Berry Tart example in the README.
Uses Jekyll for static site generation, enabling local development with `jekyll serve` and straightforward deployment to platforms like GitHub Pages.
Recipes are plaintext files, facilitating Git-based version control, simple backups, and collaborative editing through standard development workflows.
Requires Jekyll installation and familiarity with Ruby ecosystems, which adds complexity for users not already versed in static site generators.
As a static site, it lacks built-in capabilities for user interactions like search, filtering, or real-time updates without significant customization.
The README does not mention pre-styled themes, so users must handle CSS and layout customization themselves, demanding web development skills.