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Monolith – CLI tool for saving complete web pages as a single HTML file (github.com)

772 points by iscream26 · 875 days ago · 151 comments on HN

Article summary

Monolith is a CLI tool that saves complete web pages as a single HTML file, embedding CSS, image, and JavaScript assets. It can be used to replace multiple open tabs with a single HTML file, making it easier to store and share web pages. The tool does not require a web browser to be installed and can be used to save pages offline. Monolith has various options for customizing its behavior, including excluding certain types of assets and setting a custom base URL.

Main themes

  • Web page archiving
  • CLI tools
  • Single-file HTML
  • Web scraping
  • Browser extensions
  • Offline access

What commenters say

  • Some commenters appreciate the existence of Monolith as it brings back a feature that was previously available in older browsers.
  • SingleFile is a similar tool that uses a web browser to capture web pages and is considered more powerful, especially for JavaScript-heavy pages.
  • Monolith's approach of not requiring a web browser is seen as a game-changer for simpler projects or situations where installing a browser is not viable.
  • The quality of the output generated by SingleFile is considered high-fidelity compared to saving as a PDF, with better layout and rendering.
  • Some users rely on SingleFile for archiving and saving web pages, especially for pages that require login credentials.
  • There are concerns about the limitations of Monolith, such as not being able to execute JavaScript, which may break some web pages when rendered offline.
  • SingleFile supports multiple browsers, including Firefox and Chromium-based browsers, and can be used as a browser extension or command-line tool.
  • The choice between Monolith and SingleFile depends on the specific use case and requirements, with some users preferring the simplicity of Monolith and others the power and flexibility of SingleFile.