Hammer for Mac is a static site generator with a graphical interface built for designers who want to build HTML websites without running server environments or complex build scripts. It compiles Sass, processes includes, handles smart asset paths, and refreshes your browser automatically when files change. The app had elegant ideas like “clever paths” that auto-detected asset locations, but development slowed after changing ownership and the modern web has moved toward JavaScript-heavy workflows that Hammer wasn’t designed for.

Key Specs

Price	Was $29-39 (availability uncertain)
Platform	Mac only (compatibility with modern macOS unclear)
Best for	Simple static sites, HTML/CSS prototypes, marketing pages
Learning curve	30 minutes to understand includes and compilation

How Designers Used Hammer for Mac

For Building Marketing Sites with Reusable Components

Hammer’s HTML includes let you create a header.html file and inject it into multiple pages with <!-- @include header -->. Change the header once and it updates everywhere. This was powerful in 2013 before modern static site generators became popular. Designers built multi-page sites without repeating navigation or footer code.

For Rapid Prototyping with Live Reload

Point Hammer at a folder of HTML, Sass, and CoffeeScript files. The app watches for changes, compiles everything, and refreshes your browser automatically. You edit code in your favorite text editor, save, and see results instantly without clicking refresh. This workflow is now standard in tools like Vite and CodeKit, but Hammer popularized it for designers.

For Client Previews with One-Click Publishing

Hammer’s “Publish Build” feature uploaded your compiled site to a unique URL for client review. Share the link, get feedback, make changes, and republish. This predated tools like Netlify Deploy Previews and Vercel Preview URLs. It solved the problem of showing clients work-in-progress without dealing with FTP or hosting setups.

Hammer for Mac vs. Alternatives

Feature	Hammer	CodeKit	Eleventy (CLI)
Platform	Mac (uncertain)	Mac (actively maintained)	Mac/Windows/Linux
GUI vs CLI	GUI app	GUI app	Command-line
Sass/SCSS	✅ Automatic	✅ Automatic	⚠️ Via plugins
HTML includes	✅ Simple syntax	✅ Multiple methods	✅ Templating languages
Live reload	✅ Automatic	✅ Automatic	✅ Via browsersync
Modern JS	❌ CoffeeScript only	✅ Babel, TypeScript	✅ Any bundler
Development status	⚠️ Unclear	✅ Active	✅ Very active

Choose CodeKit if: You want a Mac app with a visual interface for building static sites. It does everything Hammer did plus modern JavaScript processing, image optimization, and better error reporting. Actively maintained with macOS Sonoma support.

Choose Eleventy if: You’re comfortable with command-line tools and want a fast, flexible static site generator. Eleventy uses JavaScript for config, supports multiple templating languages, and integrates easily with Git workflows and deployment services like Netlify.

Choose Hammer if: You already own it, it works on your Mac, and you’re building a simple HTML/Sass site. But test thoroughly on your macOS version before starting a real project.

Getting Started with Hammer for Mac

If you have Hammer and it runs on your Mac, here’s the basic workflow:

Step 1: Create a project folder

Make a folder for your site with an index.html file. Create subfolders for css, js, and images. Drag the folder onto the Hammer app icon or use File > Open to add it to Hammer. The app watches this folder for changes.

Step 2: Use includes for reusable HTML

Create _header.html and _footer.html files (Hammer ignores files starting with _ during compilation). In your index.html, add <!-- @include _header --> where you want the header to appear. Hammer injects the HTML when it compiles. Change _header.html and all pages using it update automatically.

Step 3: Write Sass and let Hammer compile it

Create a .scss file in your project. Hammer detects it, compiles it to CSS, and puts the output in the build folder. Reference the compiled CSS file in your HTML (<link href="styles.css">). Hammer uses “clever paths,” so you don’t need to specify the full path to the CSS file. It finds it automatically.

Hammer for Mac in Your Design Workflow

Hammer fit into design workflows circa 2013-2016 for building static marketing sites and prototypes.

• Before Hammer: Design mockups in Photoshop or Sketch, slice assets, write initial HTML structure
• During design: Use Hammer to compile Sass, manage includes, and preview changes with live reload
• After Hammer: Hammer’s publish feature uploaded the build folder to a preview URL, or you’d FTP the build to a hosting server

Common tool pairings (historical):

• Hammer + Sublime Text for writing HTML and Sass with a lightweight editor
• Hammer + Photoshop for slicing images and exporting assets that Hammer optimized
• Hammer + Dropbox for syncing project files and sharing preview URLs with clients

Common Problems (and How to Fix Them)

“Hammer won’t launch on my Mac or crashes immediately”

Hammer’s last confirmed update was 2019. If you’re on macOS Monterey or later, the app might not work. Check for updates on hammerformac.com or contact Beach.io support. If no updates exist, switch to CodeKit ($34 one-time) or Eleventy (free, command-line). CodeKit is the closest Hammer replacement with a similar interface.

“My Sass isn’t compiling or shows errors”

Hammer uses an older Sass compiler. Modern Sass syntax (especially @use and @forward modules) might not work. Stick to @import syntax if Hammer is your only option. For modern Sass, use CodeKit or install Sass via npm (npm install -g sass) and compile from the command line.

“Clever paths aren’t finding my assets”

Clever paths worked best with simple folder structures. If your project has deeply nested folders or assets with duplicate names, Hammer gets confused. Solution: organize assets in a flat structure (/images, /css, /js at the project root) or manually specify relative paths instead of relying on clever paths.

“I can’t use modern JavaScript or npm packages”

Hammer was built for CoffeeScript and basic JavaScript. It doesn’t understand ES6 modules, TypeScript, or npm packages. If your project needs modern JS, switch to Vite (free, fast, modern) or CodeKit (GUI, supports Babel). Hammer is best for HTML/CSS projects with minimal JavaScript.

“Where do I find documentation or support?”

The Hammer for Mac website has basic docs, but the community is small and inactive. The Riot blog and Twitter account are dormant. Your best bet is searching old forum posts or Stack Overflow questions from 2013-2016. For active support, migrate to CodeKit (active forums) or Eleventy (large community, GitHub discussions).

Frequently Asked Questions

Development status is unclear. The app changed ownership from Riot to Beach.io around 2015 and received updates through 2019, but the website and social media have been quiet since. The app may still work on modern Macs (macOS 10.14+), but compatibility isn’t guaranteed. Consider alternatives like Eleventy or CodeKit for actively maintained options.

Choose CodeKit if you want an actively maintained app with modern features, better Sass/JS processing, and guaranteed macOS compatibility. CodeKit costs $34 one-time. Choose Hammer only if you already own it and it works on your Mac version. Hammer’s clever paths and simple includes were elegant, but CodeKit does everything Hammer did plus more.

No. Hammer was designed for basic CoffeeScript compilation and HTML includes. It predates modern build tools like Webpack, Vite, and Parcel. For React, Vue, or TypeScript projects, use the framework’s official CLI tool or Vite instead.

Unclear. The last known update was 2019, before Apple Silicon launched. It might run via Rosetta 2 translation, but there’s no guarantee. Check user forums or try the free trial (if still available) before purchasing. For Silicon-native performance, use CodeKit or command-line tools.

CodeKit for Mac users who want a GUI app. Eleventy, Hugo, or Jekyll for command-line static site generators. Vite for modern JavaScript frameworks. Most developers now use command-line tools (npm scripts, Vite) instead of GUI apps because they integrate better with version control and deployment pipelines.