3 min read 604 words Updated Mar 14, 2026 Created Mar 14, 2026

Credits & Acknowledgements

Kiln is built on the shoulders of giants. Every feature — from [Markdown rendering](./Features/Rendering/Obsidian Markdown.md) to [syntax highlighting](./Features/Rendering/Syntax Highlighting.md) to [graph visualization](./Features/User Interface/Global Graph.md) — relies on a robust ecosystem of open-source tools. This page lists the libraries, fonts, and color palettes that make Kiln possible.

Core Technology

  • Go: Kiln is written in Go, chosen for its speed, concurrency model, and ability to compile into a single, dependency-free binary. This means installing Kiln requires no runtime dependencies — just download and run.
  • Cobra: The CLI framework behind every Kiln command, from generate to serve to doctor.

Markdown & Build Libraries

These libraries run during the build process to transform your Obsidian Markdown into HTML.

  • Goldmark: A standards-compliant, extensible Markdown parser. Goldmark handles the heavy lifting of converting your notes into web pages, with extensions for GFM tables, strikethrough, and task lists.
  • goldmark-meta: Parses YAML frontmatter from your notes, powering [Meta Tags & SEO](./Features/SEO/Meta Tags.md) features like page titles and descriptions.
  • goldmark-wikilink: Resolves [[wikilinks]] and embeds, enabling Kiln's native Wikilinks & Embeds support.
  • goldmark-mathjax: Detects LaTeX delimiters in Markdown so Kiln can render Math & LaTeX expressions.
  • Chroma: A general-purpose syntax highlighter that powers [Syntax Highlighting](./Features/Rendering/Syntax Highlighting.md) of code blocks without relying on external CSS or JavaScript.
  • Minify: Compresses the generated HTML, CSS, and JavaScript output to minimize page size and improve load times.

Frontend Libraries

These libraries are loaded by the browser to provide interactivity and visual rendering.

  • HTMX: Powers [Client Side Navigation](./Features/Navigation/Client Side Navigation.md), loading pages instantly without full browser refreshes — giving Kiln sites an app-like feel.
  • D3.js: The force simulation engine behind Kiln's interactive [Global Graph](./Features/User Interface/Global Graph.md) and [Local Graph](./Features/User Interface/Local Graph.md) visualizations.
  • Mermaid.js: A JavaScript-based diagramming and charting tool that renders Markdown definitions into [Mermaid Graphs](./Features/Rendering/Mermaid Graphs.md).
  • MathJax: An open-source JavaScript display engine for LaTeX, enabling high-quality mathematical typesetting.
  • Giscus: A GitHub Discussions-powered commenting system that enables [Comments](./Features/User Interface/Comments.md) on your published notes.

Typography

Kiln embeds open-source fonts directly into the build output, so your site loads without external network requests. You can switch between them using the [Fonts & Typography](./Features/User Interface/Fonts.md) settings.

  • Inter: Designed by Rasmus Andersson. A typeface carefully crafted for computer screens. This is the default font.
  • Merriweather: Designed by Sorkin Type. A serif font designed to be highly readable on screens.
  • Lato: Designed by Łukasz Dziedzic. A humanist sans-serif font.
  • Lora: A calligraphy-inspired serif with roots in 18th-century typography.
  • Libre Baskerville: A webfont optimized for body text, based on the classic Baskerville typeface.
  • Noto Serif: Part of Google's Noto family, designed for broad language coverage.
  • IBM Plex Sans: IBM's corporate typeface, open-sourced for everyone.
  • Roboto: Google's default Android font, widely used across the web.

Visual Themes

Kiln includes ports of community-created color palettes, each with full [Light & Dark Mode](./Features/User Interface/Light-Dark Mode.md) support. Browse all options on the [Themes & Visuals](./Features/User Interface/Themes.md) page.

  • Catppuccin: A community-driven pastel theme that aims to be the middle ground between high and low contrast.
  • Nord: An arctic, north-bluish color palette designed for a clean and clutter-free workflow.
  • Dracula: A dark theme famous for its vibrant colors and high contrast.
  • Tokyo Night: Inspired by the lights of Tokyo at night, with rich blues and purples.
  • Rosé Pine: A low-contrast palette with muted, natural tones.
  • Gruvbox: A retro-groove color scheme with warm, earthy tones.
  • Everforest: A green-tinted theme inspired by natural forest colors.
  • Cyberdream: A high-contrast, futuristic color scheme with vivid neon accents.