Free Next.js Blog Starter (DRAFT // NEXT)
The second free ShipUI theme is out. If CANDY is playful, DRAFT is quiet.
It's an editorial blog starter. Newsreader for display headings, Source Sans 3 for body copy, warm parchment backgrounds with a rust accent. Built for writers, indie bloggers, and newsletter authors who want something clean and readable without spending a week on setup.
What's Included
A complete blog layout built around readability. Everything is wired up and ready to customize.
Components:
- Button with primary and ghost variants
- Article cards with category badge, author, date, and read time
- Newsletter capture form
Page sections:
- Hero with featured article
- Article grid with category filtering
- Newsletter CTA section
Layout:
- Header with nav links and subscribe CTA
- Footer
- 404 and error boundary pages
Tech stack:
- Next.js 15 with App Router
- React 19
- TypeScript 5 strict mode
- Tailwind v4
- Newsreader + Source Sans 3
No broken imports. No manual wiring. Install dependencies and it works.
Pricing
DRAFT // NEXT is free. Enter your email and get a permanent download link. No account, no credit card.
Works with ShipKit
DRAFT // NEXT pairs with ShipKit if you use it. The bundle adds ShipKit AI conventions: cursor rules, project structure docs, and a CLAUDE.md ready to go.
The theme also works standalone. No ShipKit dependency, no lock-in.
What's Next
More themes are in progress. The goal is the same across all of them: a real design system, a modern stack, and nothing left for you to wire up yourself.
More ShipUI Themes
- DECK // NEXT (skate deck art landing page starter)
- BOOTH // NEXT (retro diner landing page starter)
- VAULT // NEXT (developer documentation portal starter)