Merge branch 'main' into update-env-vars-self-hosted

Author: adityaoberai

src/markdoc/tags/Call_To_Action.svelte

@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
             </li>
         {/each}
     </ul>
-    <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 md:flex-row">
+    <div class="z-[1] flex flex-col gap-2 md:flex-row">
         <Button href={url} class="max-sm:w-full!">{cta}</Button>
     </div>
 </div>

src/routes/blog/author/arman/+page.markdoc

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 layout: author
 name: Arman
 slug: arman
-role: Frontend Developer
+role: Product Engineer
 bio: In ♥ with Svelte and Vue, currently working at Appwrite
 avatar: /images/avatars/arman.png
 twitter: https://twitter.com/NikNotNik

src/routes/blog/author/binyamin-yawitz/+page.markdoc

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 layout: author
 name: Binyamin Yawitz
 slug: binyamin-yawitz
-role: Software Engineer
+role: Platform Engineer
 bio: Developer with multilingual skills and systems experience.
 avatar: /images/avatars/binyamin.png
 github:   https://github.com/byawitz/

src/routes/blog/author/bradley-schofield/+page.markdoc

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 layout: author
 slug: bradley-schofield
 name: Bradley Schofield
-role: Software Engineer
+role: Platform Engineer
 bio: Integrating platforms and managing data in Appwrite.
 avatar: /images/avatars/bradley.png
 twitter:  https://x.com/ionicisere

src/routes/blog/author/damodar-lohani/+page.markdoc

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 layout: author
 slug: damodar-lohani
 name: Damodar Lohani
-role: Engineer
+role: Platform Engineer
 bio: Author, mentor, trainer, and tech consultant.
 avatar: /images/avatars/damodar.png
 twitter:  https://twitter.com/lohanidamodar

src/routes/blog/author/luke-silver/+page.markdoc

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 layout: author
 slug: luke-silver
 name: Luke B. Silver
-role: Software Engineer
+role: Platform Engineer
 bio: Building integrations with and on Appwrite
 avatar: /images/avatars/luke.png
 twitter: https://twitter.com/lukebsilver

src/routes/blog/author/matej-baco/+page.markdoc

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 layout: author
 slug: matej-baco
 name: Matej Bačo
-role: Software Engineer
+role: Engineering Lead
 bio: Always building something cool with Appwrite
 avatar: /images/avatars/matej.png
 twitter: https://twitter.com/_meldiron

src/routes/blog/post/10-open-source-alternatives-to-popular-software-for-startups/+page.markdoc

@@ -23,9 +23,15 @@ In simple words, open-source software is made available with a license that allo
 
 Unlike traditional software, which is owned and controlled by a company, open-source products gives you full access to the code, so you can customize the software to meet your specific needs.
 
+It’s more than just access to the code. We’ve seen too many cases where startups got burned by closed platforms.
+
+A founder recently shared on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7331362060750032896/) how their client lost $65,000 and their entire EdTech platform overnight. Just because the platform they were using filed for bankruptcy without warning. Fired all 1,500 employees. Locked every customer out. No access to code. No way to export data. No one to even reach out to.
+
+That’s what happens when your infrastructure is not in your control. This is why open-source matters. Because with open-source, you’re not dependent on a single company’s fate. You can self-host. You can migrate. You can fork the code and keep building.
+
 # Benefits of open-source software
 
-While the huge benefit of an open-source product is the ability to customize it according to your needs, there are many other benefits to consider, like:
+While the huge benefit of an [open-source](https://opensource.org/) product is the ability to customize it according to your needs, there are many other benefits to consider, like:
 
 ## Cost savings
 Open-source products generally offer budget-friendly options for businesses of all sizes. Many open-source projects are free to get started and you can pay as you scale or need  additional support, which could be a great option for budget-tight teams.
@@ -44,34 +50,64 @@ Most open-source projects have self-hostable versions that allow you to host the
 # 10 open-source product alternatives
 
 ## 1. [n8n](https://n8n.io/)
+
+![n8n](/images/blog/10-open-source-alternatives-to-popular-software-for-startups/n8n.png)
+
 **n8n** is an open-source alternative to **Zapier**. It allows users to automate workflows by connecting various apps and services, similar to Zapier, but with the added advantage of being fully customizable.
 
 ## 2. [Appsmith](https://www.appsmith.com/)
+
+![Appsmith](/images/blog/10-open-source-alternatives-to-popular-software-for-startups/appsmith.png)
+
 Appsmith is an open-source alternative to Retool. It enables you to build custom internal tools quickly by connecting to databases, APIs, and other services. It provides a drag-and-drop interface to design apps, making it easy to create dashboards and workflows.
 
 ## 3. [Documenso](https://documenso.com/)
+
+![Documenso](/images/blog/10-open-source-alternatives-to-popular-software-for-startups/documenso.png)
+
 Documenso is an open-source alternative to Docusign. It is a document management platform designed to help businesses organize, store, and collaborate on documents. It offers features like document indexing, searching, and version control, allowing teams to manage their files efficiently.
 
 ## 4. [Dub.co](https://dub.co/)
+
+![Dub.co](/images/blog/10-open-source-alternatives-to-popular-software-for-startups/dub.co.png)
+
 Dub.co is an open-source alternative to Bitly. It is a link management platform designed for modern marketing teams. It allows users to create branded short links using custom domains, track clicks with detailed analytics, and manage marketing campaigns efficiently.
 
 ## 5. [AppFlowy](https://appflowy.com/)
+
+![AppFlowy](/images/blog/10-open-source-alternatives-to-popular-software-for-startups/AppFlowy.png)
+
 AppFlowy is an open-source alternative to Notion. It provides a flexible workspace for note-taking, project management, and collaboration with features like customizable templates, task tracking, and databases.
 
-## 6. [WebStudio](https://webstudio.is/)
-WebStudio is an open-source alternative to WebFlow. An open-source platform for building and managing websites with a focus on simplicity and flexibility. It provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to design websites without coding.
+## 6. [Webstudio](https://webstudio.is/)
+
+![Webstudio](/images/blog/10-open-source-alternatives-to-popular-software-for-startups/Webstudio.png)
+
+Webstudio is an open-source alternative to Webflow. An open-source platform for building and managing websites with a focus on simplicity and flexibility. It provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to design websites without coding.
 
 ## 7. [Typesense](https://typesense.org/)
+
+![Typesense](/images/blog/10-open-source-alternatives-to-popular-software-for-startups/Typesense.png)
+
 Typesense is an open-source alternative to Algolia. A fast and relevant search engine built for developers. It allows you to easily integrate full-text search functionality into your applications with features like typo tolerance, filtering, faceting, and real-time indexing.
 
 ## 8. [PostHog](https://posthog.com/)
+
+![PostHog](/images/blog/10-open-source-alternatives-to-popular-software-for-startups/PostHog.png)
+
 PostHog is an open-source alternative to Mixpanel. A product analytics platform designed to help businesses track user behavior and make data-driven decisions. It provides teams with tools that allow them to gain insights into how users interact with their products.
 
 ## 9. [Sentry](https://sentry.io/welcome/)
+
+![Sentry](/images/blog/10-open-source-alternatives-to-popular-software-for-startups/Sentry.png)
+
 Sentry is an open-source alternative to Raygun. An error tracking and monitoring platform that helps developers identify and fix issues in their applications in real-time. It provides detailed error reports making it easier to diagnose and resolve bugs quickly.
 
 ## 10. [Appwrite](https://appwrite.io/)
-Appwrite is an open-source alternative to Firebase. A backend-as-a-service (BaaS) platform that simplifies the development of web and mobile applications. It provides developers with tools for user authentication, databases, file storage, and real-time capabilities, all through easy-to-use APIs.
+
+![Appwrite](/images/blog/10-open-source-alternatives-to-popular-software-for-startups/Appwrite.png)
+
+Appwrite is an open-source alternative to Firebase, Vercel and Auth0. An all-in-one development platform that provides you with built-in backend infrastructure and hosting.  It includes everything from auth, databases, and storage to serverless functions and real-time APIs, so you can focus on building, not wiring things together.
 
 # Conclusion
 In conclusion, open-source products gives your startup the flexibility, control, and cost savings you need to scale and innovate.

src/routes/blog/post/5-MCP-startup-ideas-to-build-in-2025/+page.markdoc

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ author: veeresh-mulge
 callToAction: true
 unlisted: true
 category: tutorial
+call_to_action: true
 ---
 
 This has to be the best time in history to start a business. With so many advancements in AI tools and agents, it has never been this easy to build and scale your startup. The next breed of billion-dollar companies will be tiny teams backed by AI agents and workflows.
@@ -39,7 +40,7 @@ MCP is just the standardized way of making this happen. Instead of every AI need
 
 MCP was developed by Anthropic and released as an open standard in November 2024, making it a relatively new but rapidly growing solution.
 
-We've covered everything you need to know about MCP in a recent blog, but let's dive into 5 MCP or AI agents startup opportunities you can start building today.
+We've covered everything you need to know about MCP in a recent [blog](https://appwrite.io/blog/post/what-is-mcp), but let's dive into 5 MCP or AI agents startup opportunities you can start building today.
 
 # 1. MCP App Store
 Create an MCP APP Store, where users can browse and deploy various MCP servers. Think of it like an app store, but for MCP servers. Developers could look through different MCP servers, find the ones they need, and deploy them with just a few clicks.
@@ -49,6 +50,8 @@ The idea is to simplify the process of integrating different services with LLMs,
 # 2. Incident Tracer
 When your app breaks, whether it's a bug or an outage, an MCP agent traces every log, commit, and Slack message to give you a full incident report in seconds. So, instead of manually digging through logs or trying to piece together what went wrong, the MCP agent automatically collects all the relevant information, creating a detailed report that helps you quickly understand the issue.
 
+{% call_to_action title="Build your startup with Appwrite" description="An all-in-one development platform for you to develop, host, and scale your products." point1="Cloud credits" point2="Priority support" point3="Ship faster" point4="Built-in security and compliance" cta="Apply for the program" url="https://appwrite.io/startups" /%}
+
 # 3. Task Assistant
 An MCP-powered agent that shadows founders, reading emails, meetings, tasks, and documents. It provides daily summaries and suggests the next best actions, acting like your personal Chief of Staff. This allows founders to stay focused on what matters while it keeps track of everything and ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
 
@@ -63,3 +66,8 @@ AIChangelog tracks everything every AI agent does and why, creating a detailed,
 MCP changes everything. Before, AI agents were isolated. Now, they connect, collaborate, and scale. This is a huge opportunity to build AI agents and create connected, intelligent solutions that automate tasks, streamline processes, and solve real-world problems.
 
 The Appwrite's Startups Program can help you do that with the tools and support you need to create these AI-driven products. [Apply today](appwrite.io/startups) and start building.
+
+# Further reading
+- [Appwrite MCP documentation](https://appwrite.io/docs/tooling/mcp?doFollow=true)
+- [What exactly is MCP, and why is it trending?](https://appwrite.io/blog/post/what-is-mcp)
+- [Anthropic MCP documentation](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/agents-and-tools/mcp)

src/routes/blog/post/how-can-you-rapidly-build-an-mvp-for-your-startup/+page.markdoc

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ author: veeresh-mulge
 callToAction: true
 unlisted: true
 category: tutorial
+call_to_action: true
 ---
 
 Nearly [70% of startups fail](https://www.embroker.com/blog/startup-statistics/) within 2-5 years of starting operations, and while many factors contribute to this, one key factor is developing a product that doesn't align with customer needs.
@@ -67,6 +68,8 @@ Founders often fear that if users don't like the MVP, it will ruin their busines
 
 Founders often build an MVP without considering future scalability, resulting in products that cannot scale as user demand grows. Even in the MVP phase, think about scalability. Build a flexible, scalable infrastructure that can handle future growth.
 
+{% call_to_action title="Build your startup with Appwrite" description="An all-in-one development platform for you to develop, host, and scale your products." point1="Cloud credits" point2="Priority support" point3="Ship faster" point4="Built-in security and compliance" cta="Apply for the program" url="https://appwrite.io/startups" /%}
+
 # Examples MVPs that turned into successful products
 
 There's no right or wrong way to build an MVP. Many big companies kicked off with MVPs. Some got started with just a short demo video, while others with a lean MVP. However, in all cases, they began with very limited functionality that solved a real problem for a small group of early users.