Sigal

Sigal is an open-source static site generator written in Python that creates image galleries. It automates the process of resizing images, creating thumbnails, and generating the necessary HTML pages to display a collection of media files in a web browser. The software functions by scanning local directories and transforming the contents into a structured set of static files that can be hosted on any standard web server.

The software operates as a command line tool that processes image directories to produce a portable static website. It is designed for users who want to host galleries without requiring a database or a dynamic backend on their web server. By automating the repetitive tasks of image manipulation and HTML writing, it allows users to maintain a gallery by simply adding new files to their local folders and rerunning the generator.

Key features

• Recursive processing of image directories
• HTML page generation using Jinja2 templates
• Support for image thumbnails and resizing
• Integration of EXIF tags into gallery pages
• Parallel processing for faster image generation
• Support for video files
• Option to provide zip downloads of galleries
• Use of relative links for portable output

Sigal includes three built-in themes based on the Colorbox, Galleria, and PhotoSwipe JavaScript libraries. These themes handle the front-end presentation and interaction, while Sigal manages the file system operations and HTML structure. The application requires Python 3.11 or newer to run. Because it uses Jinja2 for templating, the layout of the generated pages can be customized to fit specific design requirements beyond the provided themes.

The architecture focuses on portability, ensuring that the generated output can be moved between different directories or servers without breaking the internal links. This makes it suitable for users who prefer to manage their assets locally before deploying them to a public hosting environment. It bridges the gap between raw image storage and the JavaScript libraries used for image display.

This tool is intended for photographers and archivists who need a simple way to convert local image folders into a structured web gallery.