# What is Retrail?

URL: https://zerodev.ca/blogs/what-is-retrail
Published: 2026-10-11
Updated: 2026-10-11

> Retrail is a self-hosted, one-page portfolio for developers and creators that you build from a single settings.json file, with no database and no admin panel.

## Key Takeaways

- Retrail is a one-page portfolio you describe in one settings.json file.
- It reads the file on every request, so changes show up on the next refresh without a rebuild.
- Twelve blocks cover projects, skills, career, stats, testimonials and contact links.
- Light and dark mode, any accent color and a layout that works on phones.



## What Retrail Is

Retrail is a one-page portfolio for developers and creators. You describe the page in `settings.json`, and Retrail turns it into a site with your projects, skills, career, stats, testimonials and contact links.

There is no database, no admin panel and no account to sign in to. The page is one file on your server.

## How It Works

* **One file.** The theme, your details and every block live in `settings.json`.
* **No rebuild.** Retrail reads the file on every request, so a saved change shows up on the next refresh.
* **Private.** The file is read on the server and is never sent to visitors.

A block looks like this:

```json
{
  "type": "hero",
  "enabled": true,
  "name": "Example Name",
  "headline": "Example Title & Profession",
  "bio": "Short personal bio or mission statement.",
  "avatarPosition": "left",
  "statusText": "Available for projects",
  "statusColor": "neon-green",
  "statusEnabled": true
}
```

## The Blocks

Retrail has 12 blocks. Add them in any order and use any of them more than once:

* **Hero**: your name, headline, avatar, status and buttons.
* **Projects**: a grid or list of your work, with tags, images and stats.
* **Skills**: what you work with, grouped how you like.
* **Experience**: your career as a timeline.
* **Stats**: numbers with icons.
* **Testimonials**: quotes from people you have worked with.
* **Contact** and **Socials**: how to reach you.
* **Section**, **Separator**, **Image** and **Text** for everything else.

Every block, project, skill and link has an `enabled` switch, so you can hide something without deleting it.

## The Look

* Light and dark mode, with a true black dark theme and a toggle for visitors.
* Any Mantine color as the accent, plus four neon colors: cyan, green, purple and pink.
* Your avatar to the left, right or top of your name.
* Lucide icons for stats and links, and brand icons for Discord, GitHub, X, LinkedIn and more.
* A layout that works on phones.

The full reference is in the [Page Builder](/docs/retrail/page-builder) docs.

## What You Need

* A host that runs Node.js 20.9 or newer.
* The `retrail.zip` from your BuiltByBit download.
* A domain, if you want your portfolio public.

It runs on a Pterodactyl game panel, a Linux VPS, Docker or your own computer. The [setup guide](/docs/retrail/setup) covers each one.

<Resources title="Get Started with Retrail">
  <Resource name="Retrail on BuiltByBit" description="Buy Retrail and download the package." link="https://builtbybit.com/resources/retrail-your-customizable-portfolio.125535/" tag="Website" image="https://bucket.zerodev.ca/showcase/covers/retrail-4.png" />

  <Resource name="Retrail Setup Guide" description="Install Retrail and put it online." link="/docs/retrail/setup" tag="Docs" image="https://bucket.zerodev.ca/showcase/covers/retrail-4.png" />

  <Resource name="Page Builder" description="Every block and its options." link="/docs/retrail/page-builder" tag="Docs" image="https://bucket.zerodev.ca/showcase/covers/retrail-4.png" />
</Resources>


## Questions

### What is Retrail?

Retrail is a self-hosted one-page portfolio for developers and creators by Zero Development. The whole page is described in one settings.json file.

### Does Retrail need a database?

No. Retrail has no database and no admin panel. It reads settings.json on every request, so changes show on the next refresh.

### What can a Retrail page show?

Twelve blocks: hero, projects, skills, experience, stats, section, separator, testimonials, contact, socials, image and text.

### What does Retrail need to run?

A host that runs Node.js 20.9 or newer. It runs on a Pterodactyl panel, a Linux VPS, Docker or your own computer.