Core Concepts Overview
Understanding these core concepts will help you make the most of TractStack’s adaptive content capabilities. Don’t worry about memorizing everything - you’ll learn through practice.
Story Fragments (Web Pages)
Section titled “Story Fragments (Web Pages)”Think of each webpage not as a self-contained unit, but as a story fragment - a piece of a larger narrative that visitors will encounter in their own unique sequence.
- Each story fragment has a slug which becomes its URL:
/slug - Story fragments contain multiple panes (content sections)
- Unlike traditional pages, they can adapt and reveal hidden content based on visitor interactions
Panes (Content Sections)
Section titled “Panes (Content Sections)”Panes are the building blocks of your content. Each pane is a section of content that can:
- Be shown or hidden based on visitor beliefs
- Contain text, images, videos, or interactive widgets
- Have its own analytics tracking
- Trigger personalization rules
Beliefs System
Section titled “Beliefs System”This is where the magic happens. Beliefs are visitor preferences that drive content personalization:
How Beliefs Work
Section titled “How Beliefs Work”- Visitor declares a preference through interactive widgets
- System stores their belief (e.g.,
IsInterested=BELIEVES_YES) - Hidden content reveals automatically based on their declared beliefs
- No page refresh needed - content unfolds in real-time
Types of Belief Widgets
Section titled “Types of Belief Widgets”- Belief Widget: Dropdowns with scales (Yes/No, Agree/Disagree, 5-point Likert)
- Toggle Belief Widget: Simple binary choices
- Identify As Widget: Persona-based selection (Developer, Manager, Startup Founder)
Magic Paths (Adaptive Content)
Section titled “Magic Paths (Adaptive Content)”Magic paths are the content revelation rules that make your site adaptive:
Held Beliefs (Show Conditions)
Section titled “Held Beliefs (Show Conditions)”UseCase=Developer→ Shows developer-specific contentInterest=BELIEVES_YES→ Reveals detailed information
Withheld Beliefs (Hide Conditions)
Section titled “Withheld Beliefs (Hide Conditions)”Experience=Beginner→ Hides advanced technical contentBudget=Limited→ Hides enterprise pricing
Progressive Disclosure
Section titled “Progressive Disclosure”Content unfolds naturally as visitors share more about themselves, creating personalized journeys without separate pages.
Context Pages
Section titled “Context Pages”Special pages for additional background information:
- URL pattern:
/context/slug - Perfect for detailed explanations, legal text, or supporting information
- Can be linked from anywhere without interrupting the main user flow
StoryKeep (Content Management)
Section titled “StoryKeep (Content Management)”Your built-in CMS for managing everything:
- Analytics: Real-time engagement tracking
- Content: Create and edit pages, manage beliefs
- Branding: Configure visual identity
- Advanced: System settings (Admin only)
Zero-Party Data
Section titled “Zero-Party Data”Unlike traditional tracking, TractStack uses zero-party data - information visitors voluntarily share:
- Privacy-first: No cookies or behavioral tracking
- Explicit consent: Visitors choose what to share
- Session-based: Preferences can be temporary or saved
- Cross-browser sync: Optional preference sharing across devices
Impressions (Smart Notifications)
Section titled “Impressions (Smart Notifications)”Contextual call-to-action notifications that appear based on content engagement:
- Triggered when visitors view specific panes
- Display as header notifications or overlay
- Multiple impressions can be active simultaneously
- Include analytics tracking for optimization
Technical Foundation
Section titled “Technical Foundation”Built on modern web standards:
- Astro: Content-focused web framework
- HTMX: Real-time content updates without JavaScript complexity
- Go: High-performance backend
- SQLite: Zero-configuration database (with Turso cloud option)
Privacy & Performance
Section titled “Privacy & Performance”- No external dependencies for core functionality
- Privacy-first analytics built-in
- SEO optimized out of the box
- Accessibility compliant by default
- Fast loading with intelligent caching
Key Differences from Traditional CMS
Section titled “Key Differences from Traditional CMS”| Traditional CMS | TractStack |
|---|---|
| Static pages for everyone | Adaptive content per visitor |
| Behavioral tracking | Declared preferences |
| Complex personalization setup | Visual belief builder |
| Separate analytics tools | Built-in engagement tracking |
| One-size-fits-all content | Progressive disclosure |
Getting Started Workflow
Section titled “Getting Started Workflow”- Create content with the StoryKeep CMS
- Add belief widgets to capture visitor preferences
- Configure magic paths for content revelation
- Monitor analytics to optimize engagement
- Iterate and improve based on visitor behavior
What Makes This Special
Section titled “What Makes This Special”Traditional websites are like McDonald’s menus - everyone sees the same thing. TractStack websites are like conversations with expert consultants who reveal different options based on what you tell them you actually want.
The result: genuine personalization that respects privacy while delivering experiences that feel custom-tailored to each visitor.
Ready to dive deeper? Start exploring the User Guide or jump into creating your first adaptive content.