horrorshow-rs
A macro-based HTML and XML templating library for Rust that works on stable Rust.
What is horrorshow-rs?
Horrorshow is a macro-based HTML and XML templating library for Rust. It allows developers to write markup templates directly in Rust code using a syntax that resembles HTML, with automatic escaping and embedded Rust logic. It solves the problem of generating safe, dynamic web content without relying on external template files or complex runtime engines.
Rust developers building web applications, static site generators, or XML-based services who want type-safe, compile-time checked templating integrated into their Rust codebase.
Developers choose Horrorshow because it provides a lightweight, zero-dependency templating solution that works on stable Rust, supports no-std environments, and ensures HTML safety through Rust's type system and automatic escaping.
Overview
A macro-based html builder for rust
Use Cases
Best For
- Generating HTML in Rust web servers without external template engines
- Building static site generators in Rust with embedded logic
- Creating XML documents or feeds programmatically in Rust
- Embedded systems or no-std environments that require HTML/XML generation
- Projects that prioritize compile-time safety over runtime template parsing
- Rust developers who prefer writing templates directly in Rust rather than separate files
Not Ideal For
- Projects that require external HTML template files for separation of concerns or designer collaboration
- Applications needing advanced templating features like inheritance, partials, or block-based layouts
- Dynamic web apps that must load and render templates at runtime without recompilation
- Teams preferring declarative, HTML-like syntax over embedded Rust code for templates
Pros & Cons
Pros
Leverages Rust's macro system for compile-time validation of HTML/XML structure, preventing runtime errors and ensuring template correctness.
Works with stable Rust (rustc >= 1.48) without needing nightly features, making it accessible and production-ready.
Can be compiled without std or alloc features, enabling use in embedded systems and resource-constrained environments with graceful degradation.
Defaults to escaping text content to prevent cross-site scripting, with Raw wrapper available for controlled unescaped output when necessary.
Cons
Lacks built-in support for advanced templating constructs like inheritance or reusable components, forcing manual management of common layouts.
The macro-based approach can lead to verbose and less intuitive code compared to concise, dedicated template languages like Handlebars or Jinja.
Error reporting behavior varies based on compilation features (std, alloc, or core), complicating debugging across different environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
teraA template engine for Rust based on Jinja2/Django
maud:pencil: Compile-time HTML templates for Rust
handlebars-rustRust templating with Handlebars
askamaA template rendering engine based on Jinja, generating type-safe Rust code at compile time.
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