What it does
PureWiki is an open-source, file-based wiki built with PHP and native web technologies. The project stores content in plain JSON files, offers a block editor for structured pages, and is designed to run without a database, Node.js, or build tools; its README lists PHP 8.1 or later as a requirement.
Keep a small wiki in portable files
PureWiki's product page describes a flat-file architecture in which content is stored as plain JSON, alongside a block editor for Markdown, tables, grids, and accordions. The official repository says the application is built with PHP and can be deployed without a database, Node.js, npm, or a complex build process. That makes the project straightforward to evaluate for teams comfortable hosting a small PHP application and managing its files.
The official site labels the current release 0.2.0-alpha and the repository requires PHP 8.1 or later, so maturity and operational hardening should be checked before production use. The project is licensed under AGPLv3. No installation or edit workflow was run.
Strengths
- The file-based design avoids a separate database and stores content in portable JSON files.
- The project publishes its AGPLv3 license and PHP runtime requirement in its official repository.
Watch out for
- The official site labels the release alpha, and deployment requires a PHP 8.1+ host.
Best for
- Individuals or small teams evaluating a self-hosted, file-based wiki with a visual block editor
Sources
- PureWiki — The Ultimate Flat-File Wiki (Oct 25, 2026)
- PureWiki - A Minimalist File-Based Wiki System (Oct 25, 2026)
- PureWiki LICENSE (Oct 25, 2026)