Bolo Blog: A Free Java Blog Engine with Markdown and Dark Mode

Bolo is a straightforward, user-friendly blogging platform. It comes equipped with polished themes, comprehensive analytics, email notifications, custom image hosting, and a Markdown editor that handles far more than just basic text.

Tech Stack: Bolo is an extensively customized fork of Solo, built on Java. You can deploy it using Tomcat, Docker, or the Baota panel. It is compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, and standard web containers, running smoothly on both ARM and X86/64 architectures. The documentation provides a step-by-step guide for every part of the setup.

Data Safety: A one-click backup system ensures your content remains secure. To keep the site running smoothly, a lightweight built-in firewall blocks malicious or unwanted traffic, and comment filtering is integrated directly into the system.

Writing Tools: The editor is powered by Vditor, allowing you to switch between WYSIWYG, instant rendering, and split-screen preview modes. Backend parsing is managed by Lute_HTTP. The editor supports outlines, mathematical formulas, mind maps, charts, and syntax-highlighted code blocks. Themes are updated regularly, and dark mode automatically syncs with your system settings.

Interactions: Visitors can leave comments without needing to log in. For site owners, notifications can be sent via email or WeChat. You can also connect your own image hosting services, with native support for Aliyun OSS and Upyun. Bolo includes a specialized "ICP filing mode" that hides login fields, comments, and search bars when necessary for regulatory compliance. You can sync posts with GitHub repositories to automatically populate "My Open Source Projects" sections. If you are migrating from Solo, a one-click tool moves all your data; if you decide Bolo isn’t for you, you can move back just as easily. The platform even includes a Live2D mascot with a library of models that can be updated online. Additionally, Server酱 integration pushes blog activity alerts directly to your WeChat.

Support: Support is provided by real people rather than bots. The user group chat is a low-pressure environment where the team addresses bugs and offers free remote assistance for particularly difficult technical issues. Bolo and its various add-ons are free and will remain so indefinitely.

Installation: Prior knowledge of Java is not required to get started. The documentation covers every deployment method and upgrade path in detail. If you encounter any obstacles during setup, the developers and maintainers are active in the group chat and are often willing to provide remote support to get your site running.

Dashboard: The administrative dashboard features a sleek design that fully supports dark mode. It provides a clear overview of monthly post counts, top tags, and category distribution. Everything you need—drafting, publishing, and configuration—is centralized. You can manage general site options, contact information, and theme settings through a clean, intuitive interface.

Frontend: The homepage layout focuses on clarity, featuring a timeline, tags, categories, and essential links. A quick-search function is accessible by hitting the Enter key. The login page features a rotating selection of high-quality, royalty-free background images, hand-picked by the Bolo maintainer.

Community: Users are encouraged to join the Bolo community on QQ. The group ID is 1105260625.

Docs and Downloads: Comprehensive tutorials are available covering installation, Solo migration, feature walkthroughs, and FAQs. You can find ZIP packages on GitHub and Gitee, as well as official Docker images. For the latest links and updates, check the announcement section of the project page.