> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://kumailht.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Introducing GhostLite: Why we need another blogging app - URL: https://kumailht.com/introducing-ghostlite-or-why-we-need-yet-another-blogging-app/ - Published: 2026-10-13T03:22:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-14T02:23:14.000Z - Author: Kumail Hunaid tl:dr; I made a lightweight version of Ghost, it's [here](https://github.com/kumailht/GhostLite). Call me crazy, but I think blogging is becoming relevant again. Maybe I'm biased because I run [boredreading.com](https://boredreading.com/) and my spidey senses tell me that I have an easier time finding higher quality writing online than I did 2-3 years ago. But I also think it's a culmination of various forces which are pushing people to move into private spaces. These forces have also incentivized me to start blogging. My motivations are to share what I'm working on, talk about ideas that are too nuanced for social media, and maybe the most important one is to take advantage of the medium of writing to think more clearly and with greater clarity. So it was decided, I'd like to blog (again) after 10+ years of giving up on this endeavor > Naturally I went looking for a blogging solution that would work. And maybe I'm being super picky, but nothing quite fit my requirements. In great year of A.I., I thought that was un-acceptable. ***What I wanted:*** - Have a nice editor (with image/video/etc) - Run on a db so simple, it's called SQLite - Be self hosted, because I have trust issues - Be Node.js based, because I like Node - Be *close* to FREE to host Only one platform came close to my requirements, [Ghost](https://ghost.org/). I admire Ghost. Nay, I love Ghost. I like the founders, the team, the mission — everything. But it fails because I want my blogging to be cheap and simple. Ghost is not simple, not anymore atleast. It's not their fault, but Ghost has became more than a blogging platform (a full blown CMS) and I just wanted something simple. I've entertained the idea of simplifying Ghost for my own needs for a couple years. But I couldn't justify the time and effort it would have taken to do so. Until now. We've entered the age of LLMs, and boy has it changed the equation. > I spent the last few days stripping down the big, bulky, Ghost platform into a lightweight, incredibly simple, blogging platform that is perfect for my needs. **I think of it as "GhostLite".** It's Ghost, without all the non-blogging stuff. Open Source Repository: You can self host your blog, on the smallest server, with SQLite that you can download a backup to restore later to your computer easily. **What GhostLite has:** - ✅ The Ghost editor: text, images, galleries, videos, embeds and more - ✅ Drafts, publishing and scheduling posts for later - ✅ Revision history, so you can go back to an earlier version - ✅ Ghost themes: Default ones, and you can upload others - ✅ RSS, so people can follow your blog in a feed reader - ✅ One-click backup of your whole site: posts, pages, images and settings - ✅ Everything stays on your own server, with no outside services needed **What GhostLite doesn't have:** Email newsletters, paid memberships, built-in analytics, advanced user management, and LOTS of features that are not needed for general blogging. Go ahead and try instal GhostLite on your [Railway](https://railway.com?referralCode=88OX0Q) or whatever hosting provider you use. It shouldn't take too much effort as the build pipeline is massively simplified. If you hit any snags, message me on socials or email me. Thank you for trying it out.