Buyer's guide ยท Kiln

A white-label AI website builder script for agencies

Kiln is self-hosted Node.js and TypeScript source code for a white-label AI website builder that an agency runs for its clients. A brief becomes an editable page plan, then each page is written separately, and everything is edited on the canvas. Sites publish to built-in hosting on your domain or to your own Cloudflare account, or export as static HTML or an Astro project.

Buy for $69See Kiln

What you get

  • The full source code

    The Node.js and TypeScript server, the React builder app, the operator console, tests, a Dockerfile and the documentation.

  • Self-hosted

    One Node.js server with an SQLite database and images on disk, on your own Linux server or VPS, or in Docker.

  • White label

    The operator console holds your brand next to the AI, credits, hosting, Stripe, Cloudflare and e-mail settings.

  • Brief to site in stages

    A brief, an editable page plan you approve, then each page written separately with live progress. Without an AI key, a draft engine builds a structured draft from the brief and never invents facts.

  • Visual block editor

    21 section types, 16 style presets and 16 templates. Text editing on the canvas, drag-and-drop sections, undo and redo, autosave and versions.

  • Bring your own AI

    Anthropic Claude, OpenAI, OpenRouter or any OpenAI-compatible endpoint, such as Gemini, Groq, Mistral or a local Ollama.

  • Sites that do the job

    Blog, multi-language sites with hreflang, SEO and content checks, a forms inbox with CSV export and webhooks, and analytics that load only after cookie consent.

How an agency resells it

Kiln is made for an agency or freelancer who builds websites for local businesses, or a founder who wants to run a branded site builder.

  • One workspace per client

    Owner, editor, client and viewer roles. The client role edits texts and images only; the server locks the layout.

  • Review links

    Clients approve a site or request changes through a link, without an account.

  • Plans and credits

    Sell monthly plans, monthly credits and credit packs through your own Stripe Checkout and customer portal. The revenue page counts Stripe-confirmed payments only.

  • Faster first drafts

    Read a client's current public page into a new brief, and save any site as an agency template for every workspace.

  • Hosting you control

    Sites live at <site>.<your domain>, on a client's own domain after a DNS TXT ownership check, or in the agency's own Cloudflare account.

  • No lock-in for your clients

    Export any site as static HTML or an Astro project, with media, sitemap, robots and a working form.

What it needs to run

Hosting, AI usage and the services below are not included in the price. Each provider bills you directly.

  • Node.js 22.12 or newer and npm, or Docker
  • A Linux server or VPS with about 1 GB RAM, a domain and HTTPS through Caddy or nginx
  • Build tools for better-sqlite3 when no prebuilt binary exists
  • Your own AI provider account and key for the AI features (Anthropic, OpenAI, OpenRouter or an OpenAI-compatible endpoint); drafts work without one
  • Optional: your own Stripe, Cloudflare, Resend and Pexels accounts
  • On Windows, run the commands in WSL; production is documented for Linux

What it does not do

  • No e-commerce, member areas, PayPal or other gateways, and no Next.js export in version 1.1.
  • It does not run on serverless hosting. It needs a long-running server with a persistent disk.
  • AI usage is not included. Your provider bills it per token; without a key, sites are built as drafts.
  • Cloudflare publishing uses your own Cloudflare account and API token. Automated tests cover it against a mocked API, so publish one test site with your own account before you rely on it.
  • The live demo is read-only: it cannot show AI generation, saving, publishing or a Stripe checkout.

Questions

Can I run Kiln under my own brand and charge my clients?

Yes. You set your brand in the operator console and sell plans and credit packs through your own Stripe account.

Which AI providers work?

Anthropic (Claude), OpenAI, OpenRouter, and any OpenAI-compatible endpoint such as Gemini, Groq, Mistral or a local Ollama.

Can my clients edit their own sites?

Yes, with the client role: texts and images only. The layout is locked by the server.

Can I take a site out of Kiln?

Yes. Export any site as static HTML or an Astro project.

Does it sell products or run member areas?

No. E-commerce, member areas, PayPal and Next.js export are not in version 1.1.

How much does Kiln cost, and what does the licence allow?

$69, one payment, no subscription. One licence, no tiers: any number of projects and clients, a paid SaaS, every line changed. The only limit is reselling or publishing the source code itself. The services you connect bill you directly. See the licence.

Is setup included?

Yes. We install Kiln for you and put in your logo, colours and texts. Bigger changes or new features get a fixed price before we start.

What if it does not work?

Write to us within 14 days. We fix it, usually the same day. If we cannot fix it within 7 days, you get your money back. See the refund policy.