This is how the blog is built. Because techies always want to know.
Platform
WordPress — specifically a Full Site Editing (FSE) block theme I built from scratch. No page builders, no starter themes. Just HTML templates, PHP, and way too many hours in the block editor.
Hosting
Pressable. Managed WordPress hosting. Good uptime, easy SFTP, Jetpack included.
Theme
Custom. Built in 2026 as an excuse to learn FSE properly. Warm paper aesthetic — #FAF8F5 background, #1A1612 ink, #B8532A terracotta accent. No gradients, no purples.
Type
- Display: Playfair Display
- Body: IBM Plex Serif
- UI / meta: Inter
- Code: Fira Code
- Accent script: Dancing Script
Features
Dark mode, reading progress bar, auto table of contents, command palette (⌘K), reading mode (R), keyboard shortcuts (?), drop cap, post-type indicators, anchor links, filename labels on code blocks, AI post summaries, footnotes, highlight-to-share, image lightbox, series navigation, and more.
AI
Post summaries are generated via the Claude API (Haiku model) at publish time and stored in post meta. I regenerate them manually when I update a post significantly. Built into the plugin, not a third-party tool.
Writing
WordPress block editor. Drafts in Claude Code when I want to think out loud first.
Version control
Theme and plugin source live on GitHub under the BitharborAI org. Deployed via SFTP to Pressable.
Early days. More to come.