Static website hosting platforms are great, but I’ve always found them to be either too complex or too expensive for small projects. As a developer, I love the simplicity and efficiency of the CLI, but I’ve struggled to find a hosting solution that prioritizes these workflows.
That’s what inspires me to build roll out: A CLI-first static website hosting platform focused on speed, simplicity, and affordability. In this article I will share:
Why I want to build Rollout.
How it simplifies static website hosting.
Lessons I learned working in public buildings.
question
Platforms like Netlify and Vercel are great, but when I use them, I notice recurring pain points:
High pricing tiers: Many premium features are locked into plans, which may feel overpriced for smaller projects.
Overwhelming dashboards: They’re filled with features I don’t always need.
CLI workflow is not central: While some platforms offer CLI tools, the experience is often secondary to the dashboard.
These issues make it difficult for independent developers, freelancers, and small teams to find a hosting solution that suits their needs. I wanted to create a platform to address these challenges.
launch launch
Rollout is my attempt to make static website hosting super easy. It is a CLI-first platform designed to:
Provides ultra-fast deployment: Deploy your website in seconds with a single command.
Simplified custom domain management: No more worrying about DNS settings or waiting hours for changes to propagate.
Prioritize CLI workflows: Rollout is designed for developers who prefer working in the terminal, making it simple, fast, and distraction-free.
how it works
Here’s an overview of the workflow:
$ npm install -g @rollout/cli
$ cd your-awesome-project && rollout deploy
That’s it! Your static website is online. No dashboards, no distractions—just smooth, fast CLI workflow.
Lessons learned from construction promotion
Building and deploying is a roller coaster of challenges and rewards. Here are some of the lessons I’ve learned so far:
- Balance functionality with simplicity
Deciding what to include (and what to exclude) is one of the hardest parts. I focused on delivering a minimum viable product (MVP) that delivered on Rollout’s core promise: fast, simple deployment.
- Public buildings are scary, but also rewarding
Sharing progress publicly helps me connect with other developers, collect early feedback, and stay motivated. Transparency is a game changer.
- User feedback is gold
Even in its early stages, Rollout has benefited greatly from developer insights. Each suggestion helps refine the product and ensure it solves a real problem.
what’s next
The rollout is still in development and I’m working on making the beta available as soon as possible. You can participate in the following ways:
Share your feedback: What do you wish the hosting platform could do better? Do you like CLI workflows or dashboards? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Sign up for the beta: Be one of the first to try out the launch. Registered in launch.sh.
Together we can simplify static website hosting and make it accessible to more developers.
Thanks
Thank you for reading my journey building a Rollout! I’m excited to make this a reality and provide better hosting services to developers around the world. Please follow me as I continue to build Rollout publicly, and let’s make static website hosting faster, easier, and more developer-friendly.