Grav Helios Open Reader is an open-source, web-first platform for publishing open textbooks, course readers, and OER guides built on the flat-file CMS Grav, and fully compatible with the just-released Grav 2.0. All content is stored as portable Markdown files you fully own – version-controlled with Git, collaboratively editable via Git Sync, and readable in any text editor.
Readers benefit from Save My Place navigation, dark mode support, LMS embedding without LTI, and an optional plain text export (llms.txt) for AI-compatible tools and ebook generation.
As a demonstration of what Helios Open Reader can do with real content, I recently used an experimental Pressbooks converter (BETA) to import a freely available open textbook – the UDL for IDEA Guide:
Note: Helios Open Reader supports embedded H5P activities, though these are not included when importing from a Pressbooks XHTML export. Thanks to the authors for making this open textbook with downloadable XHTML available!
Helios Open Reader is made possible by the Grav Premium Helios theme, whose license fees go directly to support continued development of the open-source Grav CMS, a solid example of a sustainable open-source funding model.
Intended for open educators and publishers looking for a no-database, Markdown-first alternative or complement to platforms like Pressbooks. Reuse, adapt, and I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions!
Learn more: Grav Helios Open Reader project overview