Configured Django on your own server in 10 minutes.

Sidewinder is an open-source Django starter kit that focuses on good defaults, developer experience, and deployment. Also, a snake.

Sidewinder is opinionated to provide smooth experience from starting a new project to deploying it on a single Virtual Private Server (VPS). It is ideal for indie hackers, educators, students and the like.

With Sidewinder you will:

• Use all Django features like GeoDjango
• Use a modern Python dependency manager uv
• Use environment variables instead of juggling multiple configuration files
• Use django-allauth to provide email-based and 3rd party authentication
• Have a custom User model for ultimate flexibility
• Have Django REST Framework at your disposal right from the start, including modern API docs, standardized error responses, and CORS configuration
• Have a Huey task queue for background and periodic tasks
• Have state-of-the-art development tools including auto reloading, debugging and profiling tools, linters and formatters
• Log anything you want with structured logging
• Execute automated tests using the best testing library pytest
• Write test fixtures efficiently using factoryboy and Faker
• End-to-end test your frontend using Playwright
• Deploy to your own VPS in the "It just works" style using Ansible
• Have commands for backups and restores on your VPS
• Not be limited in customization as all important files are exposed and ready to be changed

Documentation

Follow the development at @stribny