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Introducing HTML Template v2.0 — A Modern, Accessible, Minimal Starter for Today’s Web

HTML Template v2.0 introduces a modern, accessible, and lightweight starter for building fast, adaptable websites. New features include design tokens, semantic HTML, light/dark mode, updated error pages, and zero legacy dependencies.

Brandon Himpfen

12 Dec 2025 — 3 min read

After more than a decade of helping developers kick-start fast, reliable, no-nonsense front-end projects, HTML Template is getting its biggest update yet. Today, I’m excited to announce the release of HTML Template v2.0, a modern rebuild focused on accessibility, performance and simplicity for the web as it exists today.

HTML Template has always aimed to be the cleanest, most flexible starting point for new sites and small web apps. Version 2.0 stays true to that mission while fully embracing modern HTML, CSS, and JavaScript practices. No dependencies. No frameworks. No clutter. Just a solid foundation that helps you start building immediately.

Why a v2.0?

The original template, released back in 2013, was designed for a very different web. Browsers were inconsistent, polyfills were everywhere, and front-end workflows relied on jQuery, Modernizr and assorted shims.

The web has grown up.

Modern browsers now ship powerful layout systems, accessibility features, and native capabilities that previously required libraries or hacks. HTML Template v2.0 reflects this evolution by:

Removing outdated dependencies.
Rewriting the layout and CSS around today’s best practices.
Incorporating accessibility patterns that weren’t widely adopted a decade ago.
Streamlining the structure so it fits naturally into any workflow or framework.

The result is a template that’s lighter, cleaner, and dramatically more future-proof.

What’s New in HTML Template v2.0

With v2.0, HTML Template evolves into a fully modern starter for front-end development. Every part of the template has been refined: HTML structure, CSS organization, accessibility features and optional tooling to give developers a faster, more reliable foundation that works seamlessly across modern browsers and workflows.

Accessibility-first markup

The template now includes:

Semantic landmarks (header, main, nav, footer).
A skip-to-content link.
Keyboard-friendly navigation with ARIA attributes.
Thoughtful focus styles for interactive elements.

Accessibility is no longer an afterthought; it’s built into the foundation.

Modern CSS powered by design tokens

Version 2 ships with a small design system:

CSS custom properties for colors, spacing, radii, shadows.
Modern layout using Flexbox and CSS Grid.
Light & dark mode via prefers-color-scheme.
Optional Sass setup with variables and partials.

Styling is easier, more consistent and more predictable.

Zero legacy dependencies

Gone are:

jQuery.
Modernizr.
HTML5 shims.
IE-specific hacks.

The template now uses only vanilla JavaScript and modern HTML/CSS, which is exactly what evergreen browsers expect today.

Updated project structure

HTML Template v2.0 introduces a clearer, more organized layout:

index.html and about.html as clean examples.
404.html and 500.html error pages.
.htaccess, robots.txt, sitemap.xml, humans.txt, browserconfig.xml, crossdomain.xml.
/sass folder with partials.
/css for compiled output.
/js/main.js for optional navigation logic.

It works as a standalone project, or as a base layer for frameworks like React, Svelte, Vue, Astro, Laravel Blade or your static site generator of choice.

Developer-friendly tooling

If you want a build pipeline, it’s ready:

Sass support.
PostCSS with Autoprefixer.
Simple development server.
Watch mode for styles.

But if you want zero tooling, everything still works - just open index.html.

Who is HTML Template v2.0 for?

This release is ideal for:

Developers starting a new website and wanting a clean, fast foundation.
Designers who want a lightweight template that won’t fight their design system.
Students learning front-end development.
Writers and makers who need a no-build, “open-and-go” starting point.
Framework users who still want rock-solid HTML at the core of their UI.

If you want a template that gives you structure without trying to be your entire front-end stack, v2.0 is made for you.

Get Started with HTML Template v2.0

Clone the repo:

git clone https://github.com/brandonhimpfen/html-template.git

Or view it on GitHub:

Documentation and updated examples are included in the repository.

A Thank You to Early Users

HTML Template has been downloaded and forked for more than a decade, powering everything from class assignments to production sites. v2.0 is built on that foundation and inspired by the developers who used the original in creative ways.

Thank you for continuing to support and improve this project.

The Web Moves Fast — Your Starter Template Should Too

HTML Template v2.0 is a fresh start for one of the simplest and most practical front-end templates around. Whether you're building a hobby project or a business-critical site, it gives you clean, accessible, modern HTML without the overhead.

Here’s to the next decade of building fast, robust, adaptable websites - starting with the right foundation.