Eleventy Detector

How can you detect if a website uses Eleventy?

Detecting if a website uses Eleventy, a static site generator, can be achieved by identifying specific markers and configurations within the website’s source code.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

1. Open the Page Source: Right-click on the webpage and select “View Page Source” or press Ctrl+U (Windows) or Cmd+Option+U (Mac) to open the page’s source code.
2. Look for Eleventy in the Meta Generator: Search for a specific meta tag that indicates the use of Eleventy. Use Ctrl+F (Windows) or Cmd+F (Mac) to find the following:
   • <meta name="generator" content="11ty">: This meta tag confirms that the site is generated with Eleventy.
3. Check for .11ty Files: Look for references to files that may have a .11ty or .html extension in the source. This can hint that Eleventy was used for templating, especially if you find comments indicating their presence.
4. Identify Eleventy Specific Tags or Filters: Eleventy allows the use of custom tags and filters in templates. Use Ctrl+F and search for common Eleventy tags like:
   • eleventy: This term may appear in templated files or comments.
   • includes: Look for references to includes which can be a hint for Eleventy’s modular approach.
5. Look for Data Files: Eleventy supports data files for sustainable content management. You might find references to JSON or YAML files within the source. Check for:
   • data/: Paths indicating data sources are often a sign of Eleventy usage.
6. Check for Uncommon Folder Structures: Eleventy projects often have a distinctive structure. If you have access to additional files, look for directories like:
   • src/ or _data/: These folders are common in Eleventy setups.
7. Examine the URLs: Eleventy allows for pretty URLs thanks to its static nature. See if the URL structure (especially for posts or pages) seems clean and human-readable. Example: example.com/blog/my-first-post
8. Look for Build Tool References: Sometimes, you can find references in JavaScript files or other assets indicating that a specific build tool was used. Look for mentions of npm or yarn.