Halo

Halo is an open-source website builder and content management system designed for creating a variety of web presences. It supports the development of personal blogs, knowledge bases, corporate websites, and online stores through a unified platform. The software provides a comprehensive environment for managing digital content, allowing users to establish a professional online presence without needing to build every component from scratch.

The software is deployed as a server application and is commonly installed using Docker for rapid environment setup. It provides a web-based interface for managing content and site configuration, with official documentation supporting deployment via Linux server management panels to handle reverse proxies, SSL certificates, and automated backup tasks. This server-side architecture ensures that the site owner maintains full control over the hosting environment and the underlying data.

Key features

• Support for personal blogs and technical documentation sites
• Integrated system for building corporate official websites
• E-commerce capabilities including product management and order processing
• Application market with over 100 free themes and plugins
• Support for custom application development and publishing
• Integration with WeChat Pay and Alipay for store operations
• Support for private deployment to maintain data sovereignty
• Mobile application for remote content management

The architecture includes a community edition licensed under GPLv3 and specialized versions for professional and commercial use. The ecosystem relies on a plugin and theme system that allows users to extend the functionality of their sites without modifying the core code. The professional version introduces AI-assisted site generation and phone number verification for login security. The commercial version focuses on the full lifecycle of online retail, from product listing to payment integration.

It is designed for a range of users from individual developers and technical enthusiasts to business owners requiring a combined CMS and online shop. Halo serves as a versatile tool for users who require a self-hosted solution for content delivery and digital commerce.