February 15, 2026
No YAML, no chill
Show HN: DSCI – Dead Simple CI
HN erupts over “no‑YAML” dev tool: cheers, eyerolls, and “vibeslop” vibes
TLDR: A new self-hosted tool, DSCI, claims to ditch complex setup files and let developers use simple scripts to run builds and deploy apps on one server. Commenters split fast: some love the “no YAML” promise, while others cry “vibeslop” and complain links don’t work—sparking hype vs. skepticism over simplicity.
DSCI showed up promising a “dead simple” all‑in‑one developer tool: automatic build-and-release pipelines without those confusing text files called YAML, everything on a single server, and control via regular scripts in Bash or Python. Translation: fewer mystical setup rituals, more plain code. And yes, it’s aimed at scrappy teams on a budget. The community reaction? A split-screen of hype and side-eye.
On the hype side, users like poketdev practically started a YAML bonfire, calling the use of real code “refreshing” and a “game-changer” thanks to proper editor support, testing, and debugging. Meanwhile, the mod cameo added a bit of stagecraft: dang swept in to label it properly—“Show HN”—like the hall monitor arriving mid-food fight, complete with a helpful guide link.
But the roast squad assembled quickly. One skeptic swung in with a brutal “what is this vibeslop?” and then delivered the knockout: “none of the links work.” Jokes followed: “All batteries included—but the battery door is stuck,” and “No magic DevOps, just sorcery in Bash.” The bigger fight brewing: does ditching YAML actually make life simpler, or are we just swapping one flavor of pain for another? The vibe today is hopeful chaos—half cheering for simplicity, half wondering if the wheels will fall off before the demo even loads.
Key Points
- •DSCI is a self-hosted CI/CD platform designed for single-server deployments, suitable for VPS and limited infrastructure.
- •It combines Forgejo with a YAMLess pipeline engine and uses Bash/Python scripts to define pipelines and infrastructure.
- •The platform avoids YAML, Terraform, and Ansible, promoting direct control via general-purpose scripting.
- •Infrastructure components (databases, services, cron jobs) are containerized, with the server acting as hardware.
- •Extensions are supported through “Dead simple plugins,” with many available on SparrowHub, and documentation includes an installation guide.