CommentBox

A zero-ops self-hosted comment system for static blogs

Problem

Adding comments to a blog usually means running a container/VPS/database or handing reader comment data and privacy to a third-party platform. The builder himself said existing options didn't work the way he wanted, so he had to build his own.

Solution

An open-source comment system packaged as one Cloudflare Worker with D1 for storage and KV for cache, deployed into the user's own account within free tiers. Includes built-in anti-spam, privacy-minimal commenter fields, Markdown, and email notifications.

Users

Solo bloggers and technical writers running Astro/Hugo/Hexo sites on Cloudflare-like platforms

MVP

Single-file Worker + D1 backend and embeddable frontend widget; comment list and replies; basic anti-spam (rate limit + honeypot); all data stays in the user's account; one-click deploy script and docs; email/Webhook notifications

Revenue

Open-source core plus hosted subscription (no-deploy, dashboard, backups), or a one-time deploy service; paid tier for multi-site management on company blogs

Why now

Static sites and edge deployments are mainstream, yet comments are still the most commonly outsourced piece; open-core plus light hosting is a proven indie path