Gazebo CMS
An experiment project inspired by WordPress, written in Rust
This is a side-project for myself to practice and grow my Rust (and related) skills. The main idea behind this project is to explore and re-create some parts of WordPress using Rust in order to pick up new things, solidify what I've learnt already, understand and commit to muscle memory.
The main tech stack so far: Rust, obviosuly. Warp for the web server; PostgreSQL for the database; Yew for the front-end; Tailwind CSS; Trunk; WebAssembly
Project state: Active development (not ready for public use)
Why WordPress? Because I love WordPress and I know it like the back of my hand. It's that simple. I also work in the publishing industry, building tools and platforms for editors and marketers, so content management has a deeper meaning for me. I don't consider WP to "just" be a blogging platform (I don't think that's appropriate anymore), but a framework instead. Gazebo enables me to combine my technical expertise with my industry experience.
Why Gazebo?
A gazebo, typically an open-sided structure with a roof, metaphorically resembles a newsstand — a gathering place for people to access and exchange news and information. Like a newsstand offering diverse publications, a gazebo serves as a platform for individuals to engage in conversations, share ideas, and exchange knowledge. It attracts people seeking social interaction, intellectual conversations, or a space to relax. As a focal point, it encourages gathering, discussion, and the enjoyment of each other's company.
Aims and limitations:
From a technical perspective, my goal with this project is to create a prototype for a basic CMS flow.
Certainly, re-implementing a full-fledged WordPress-like CMS is a non-trivial and substantial undertaking. Completing such a project alone within a reasonable timeframe and to the highest standards would be challenging.
At this stage, my primary aim is to deepen my knowledge of Rust and related technologies, and to practice regularly in diverse ways. I also intend to seek feedback from peers or potential employers, leveraging this project as a demonstration of my skills. The extensive nature of a CMS like WordPress, which has evolved into more of a framework, provides an ideal subject for this purpose.
Cherrypicking certain parts to re-implement is a great method for me to keep the project engaging and the learning experience interesting. It helps me to maintain focus on thinking critically about data structures and modelling, databases and communication, content creation and user management, APIs, frontend/backend separation/connection etc.
Even a smaller module, like permalink-generation has a lot of hidden knowledge, something that has already taught me a great deal and not just about Rust per se.
What if...
While it remains speculative and wishful thinking, if I can reach escape velocity with this prototyping exercise and gain a certain level of (internal) success, there is always the potential for it to evolve into a real product. However, for now, my primary focus is on honing my skills, learning, and creating a valuable learning experience.
Gazebo CMS | Project init: 2023-Jan-13 | Attila Bakos | @a-bakos