The Modern Retro Stack: ProcessWire, HTMX, and Tailwind CSS
Discover the Modern Retro stack: ProcessWire, HTMX, and Tailwind CSS. Learn how to build reactive, high-performance websites without complex JavaScript frameworks.
Best quote from The Modern Retro Stack: ProcessWire, HTMX, and Tailwind CSS
You don't need to choose between the simplicity of the 'old' web and the power of the 'new' web. You can have both by returning to the fundamentals with a futuristic twist: the 'Modern Retro' stack of ProcessWire, HTMX, and Tailwind CSS.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
Use AI to Create A Website with Processwire, HTMX & Tailwind.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Modern Retro stack is a powerful trio consisting of ProcessWire, HTMX, and Tailwind CSS. This development approach focuses on returning to web fundamentals with a futuristic twist, allowing developers to create high-performance, reactive websites. By leveraging server-side authority, this stack provides a way to achieve a single-page application feel while staying within a comfortable PHP environment and avoiding the overcomplication of massive JavaScript dependencies.
HTMX bridges the gap between server logic and the browser by allowing developers to build complex interactions using simple HTML attributes. Instead of writing thousands of lines of React or Vue code for features like live search or 'like' buttons, HTMX enables a slick, reactive experience directly through the server. This shift back toward server-side authority helps maintain a sleek machine without the bloat of a massive node_modules folder.
ProcessWire serves as a highly flexible CMS that gives developers total control over their markup and data, which is essential for the Modern Retro approach. When paired with Tailwind CSS for rapid styling, the combination allows for the engineering of maintainable, high-performance sites. This setup eliminates the need for long build processes and heavy JavaScript frameworks, focusing instead on a streamlined workflow that delivers the lightning-fast experiences users expect today.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
