SAFE Stack Template
A dotnet CLI template for creating full-stack web applications with the SAFE-Stack (Saturn, Azure, Fable, Elmish).
What is SAFE Stack Template?
SAFE template is a dotnet CLI template that scaffolds full-stack web applications using the SAFE-Stack, which stands for Saturn, Azure, Fable, and Elmish. It provides a pre-configured project structure that integrates server-side development with Saturn, client-side development using Fable (which compiles F# to JavaScript) and Elmish (for UI architecture), and is optimized for deployment to Azure App Service. This template solves the problem of setting up a complex, integrated stack manually, allowing developers to focus on building their application rather than configuration.
F# and .NET developers looking to build full-stack web applications with a functional programming approach, particularly those targeting Azure for deployment. It is also suitable for teams adopting the SAFE-Stack architecture who want a standardized starting point.
Developers choose the SAFE template because it offers a unified, opinionated setup that reduces initial configuration overhead and ensures best practices for the SAFE-Stack. Its integration with dotnet CLI makes it familiar and easy to use within the .NET ecosystem, while its focus on functional programming and Azure deployment provides a modern, scalable foundation for web projects.
Overview
dotnet CLI template for SAFE project
Use Cases
Best For
- Quickly starting new full-stack web projects with F# and the SAFE-Stack
- Developing applications that require server-side rendering and client-side interactivity in a unified codebase
- Teams adopting functional programming patterns in web development
- Projects targeting deployment on Microsoft Azure App Service
- Learning or prototyping with the SAFE-Stack architecture
- Standardizing project setup across multiple teams or repositories
Not Ideal For
- Teams not using F# or committed to functional programming
- Projects requiring deployment to non-Azure cloud providers like AWS or Google Cloud
- Developers needing extensive pre-built UI components or themes out-of-the-box
- Applications with tight integration to non-.NET backends or legacy systems
Pros & Cons
Pros
Combines Saturn for server-side development, Fable for client-side compilation, and Elmish for UI architecture in a cohesive template, reducing initial configuration overhead.
Pre-configured for Azure App Service, streamlining deployment for Microsoft cloud environments as highlighted in the README.
Promotes F# and Elmish patterns, encouraging maintainable code for teams adopting functional paradigms in web development.
Leverages standard dotnet command-line interface for project creation and management, making it familiar for .NET developers.
Cons
Optimized for Azure App Service, requiring extra effort to deploy to other platforms or customize for non-Microsoft ecosystems.
Relies on Fable and Elmish, which have smaller communities and fewer third-party libraries compared to mainstream JavaScript frameworks.
The README notes 'plenty of different options' and defers to external docs, indicating a steeper learning curve for advanced customization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
Fable-elmishElm-like abstractions for F# apps
MiniScaffoldF# Template for creating and publishing libraries targeting library or console apps.
Giraffe TemplateA dotnet new template for Giraffe web applications.
Expecto Template.net core template for an Expecto (https://github.com/haf/expecto)
Found a gem we're missing?
Open-Awesome is built by the community, for the community. Submit a project, suggest an awesome list, or help improve the catalog on GitHub.