CSS-Tricks in Limbo
The Uncertain Fate of CSS-Tricks
Date: 15 Sept 2026 | Source: Vale.Rocks Status: In Limbo
It is disheartening to report that CSS-Tricks has once again found itself in a state of stagnation.
A History of Instability
The trajectory of the site over the last few years has been a rollercoaster of corporate mismanagement. To visualize the timeline:
While lead editor Geoff Graham managed to get the publication moving again in mid-2024, the lack of official communication from the parent company has left its long-term viability a mystery. While one might argue that administrative errors staff turnover in a massive corporation like DigitalOcean leads to things falling through the cracks, the reality seems more systemic.
The Funding Paradox
The issue isn't a lack of resources, but rather a lack of prioritization. Consider the staggering disparity in how DigitalOcean allocates its capital:
| Recipient | Amount | Nature of Project |
|---|---|---|
| Omarchy | \3 \times 10^6$ USD | Arch Linux scripts & configs |
| GNOME / Flathub | -\50 / \text{month}$ | Core infrastructure |
| CSS-Tricks Staff | Web education publication |
The $3,000,000 donation went to Omarchy, a project led by David Heinemeier Hansson (DHH). While DHH is well-known for his work on Ruby on Rails, he has recently gained notoriety for his association with far-right and racist ideologies.
"But the part of this patronage that really made me smile was how quickly it all came together." — DHH, regarding DigitalOcean's funding.
A Matter of Care
The neglect of CSS-Tricks is not a result of a time deficit; it is a failure of care. While DHH was chatting with CEO Paddy Srinivasan on X (formerly Twitter) to secure millions, Geoff Graham has spent months attempting to highlight the precarious state of CSS-Tricks to no avail.
DigitalOcean has effectively decided that a collection of configuration files is more valuable than the very infrastructure they rely on or the talented editors of their own acquired media property.
DigitalOcean's Current "Priority" List:
- Fund DHH's Omarchy project
- Communicate with CSS-Tricks leadership
- Maintain contributions to GNOME/Flathub
- Ensure the survival of a premier web resource
Final Thoughts
As a former contributor, I have a personal stake in this, but my primary concern is for the broader web ecosystem. We are witnessing a decline in high-quality, specialized web publications.
if (qualityPublications.length === 0) {
console.error("Major blow to the web community");
}
Losing a pillar like CSS-Tricks would be a devastating loss for everyone who values exemplary technical writing and a thriving open web.