github pages theme selection and setup tutorial

Author

Reads 470

Vibrant balloon arch setup for a MasterChef themed celebration.
Credit: pexels.com, Vibrant balloon arch setup for a MasterChef themed celebration.

Choosing a theme for your GitHub Pages site can be overwhelming, given the numerous options available. There are over 100 free and open-source themes to browse through on the GitHub Pages theme gallery.

To get started, you'll need to create a new repository on GitHub. GitHub Pages supports Jekyll, a popular static site generator, which allows you to use a variety of themes.

If this caught your attention, see: How to Host Site on Github

File Structure

The file structure of a GitHub Pages theme is pretty straightforward. You'll find all the theme's files and folders organized in a neat and tidy way.

Let's take a look at the folders and files, shall we? The theme has a folder named `_includes` which is likely where the theme's HTML templates are stored. You can also find a folder named `_layouts` which probably contains the theme's layout templates.

The theme also has a folder named `_sass` which is where the CSS styles are stored. And if you're looking for the theme's assets, such as images and fonts, you'll find them in the `assets` folder.

Broaden your view: See Website Archive

Credit: youtube.com, Build a Data Science Portfolio (Free & Easy) with Jekyll & GitHub Pages | Part 1: Site Configuration

Here's a breakdown of the folders and files you'll find in a GitHub Pages theme:

The theme also has a few configuration files, such as `.github`, `.rubocop.yml`, and `.travis.yml`, which are used to configure the theme's behavior. And of course, you'll find the theme's README file, which provides more information about the theme.

Customization

Customizing your GitHub Pages theme is a breeze. You can add your own custom styles by creating a file called /assets/css/style.scss in your site.

To start, add the following content to the top of the file: @import "{{ site.theme }}";. This imports the theme's default styles. You can then add any custom CSS or Sass code you'd like immediately after the @import line.

If you want to change the theme's Sass variables, you must set new values before the @import line in your stylesheet. This allows you to customize the theme's default settings.

Here's a simple step-by-step guide to get you started:

  1. Create a file called /assets/css/style.scss in your site
  2. Add the following content to the top of the file: @import "{{ site.theme }}";
  3. Add any custom CSS (or Sass, including imports) you'd like immediately after the @import line

Customizing

White Themed Attic Bedroom with Floral Wallpaper
Credit: pexels.com, White Themed Attic Bedroom with Floral Wallpaper

Customizing your site is a breeze. To add your own custom styles, you can create a file called /assets/css/style.scss in your site.

You'll want to add the following content to the top of the file, exactly as shown: @import "{{ site.theme }}";. This imports the theme's styles, allowing you to build upon them.

You can add any custom CSS (or Sass, including imports) you'd like immediately after the @import line. This is where you can get creative and make your site truly unique.

If you'd like to change the theme's Sass variables, you must set new values before the @import line in your stylesheet. This ensures that your custom styles are applied correctly.

Here are the steps to customize your styles:

  1. Create a file called /assets/css/style.scss in your site
  2. Add the following content to the top of the file: @import "{{ site.theme }}";
  3. Add any custom CSS (or Sass, including imports) you'd like immediately after the @import line
  4. Set new values for the theme's Sass variables, if desired, before the @import line

Configuration Variables

Customization is all about tailoring your Leap day site to your needs, and it starts with configuration variables. These variables allow you to set specific options in your site's _config.yml file.

You can set variables like leap_day_start_time and leap_day_end_time to control the start and end times of your leap day event.

Optional variables include theme_html_layout, which lets you change the theme's HTML layout if you need to.

Themes

Credit: youtube.com, QUICK Up and Running with GitHub Pages + Jekyll Theme Chooser - GUIDE

If you're looking to create a professional online presence, you'll want to explore Jekyll themes.

There are many high-quality options available, including premium themes that offer active support.

You can check out our most popular premium Jekyll themes, which include a sleek, modern personal website theme and a multipurpose Jekyll blog theme.

These themes are designed to make your website stand out, with clean designs and easy customization options.

For a more minimalist approach, you might prefer a super simple portfolio theme.

This theme is perfect for showcasing your work in a clean and elegant way, without any unnecessary clutter.

Take a look at this: Google Website Themes Free

Development

To set up your environment to develop this theme, fork this repo and run bundle install from the root directory. A modern devcontainer configuration for VSCode is also included.

You can test your theme by running bundle exec jekyll serve and opening your browser at http://localhost:4000. This starts a Jekyll server using your theme, and you can add pages, documents, data, etc. like normal to test your theme's contents.

The theme is set up just like a normal Jekyll site, and as you make modifications to your theme and to your content, your site will regenerate and you should see the changes in the browser after a refresh.

Development

Webpage of ChatGPT, a prototype AI chatbot, is seen on the website of OpenAI, on a smartphone. Examples, capabilities, and limitations are shown.
Credit: pexels.com, Webpage of ChatGPT, a prototype AI chatbot, is seen on the website of OpenAI, on a smartphone. Examples, capabilities, and limitations are shown.

To set up your environment to develop this theme, you'll need to fork the repo and run bundle install from the root directory. A modern devcontainer configuration for VSCode is included, making it easy to get started.

To test your theme, run bundle exec jekyll serve and open your browser at http://localhost:4000. This starts a Jekyll server using your theme, allowing you to see how it will look in action.

As you make modifications to your theme and to your content, your site will regenerate and you should see the changes in the browser after a refresh, just like normal.

Only the files in _layouts, _includes, and _sass tracked with Git will be included in the gem when this theme is released.

You might like: Mozilla Browser Themes

The Leap Day

The Leap Day is a fascinating phenomenon that occurs every four years. It's a day added to the calendar to keep our clocks in sync with the Earth's orbit around the Sun.

A tablet on a couch showing the Wallis.io website interface.
Credit: pexels.com, A tablet on a couch showing the Wallis.io website interface.

This extra day is necessary because the Earth takes approximately 365.24 days to complete one orbit around the Sun. That's why we have a Leap Year every four years.

The first Leap Day was introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE. He implemented the Julian calendar, which included the concept of a Leap Year.

The extra day is added to the month of February, which normally has 28 days. This means February 29th is the only day in the year that can be a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

Previewing Locally

Previewing locally is a great way to test your GitHub Pages theme before deploying it. You can do this by running a local development server, which allows you to see how your theme will look without actually publishing it.

If you'd like to preview the theme locally, you can do so in the process of proposing a change. This will give you a chance to see how your changes will affect the theme before you even submit a pull request.

For example, you can preview the theme locally by running a local development server. This will allow you to see how your theme will look without actually publishing it, and make any necessary changes before deploying it.

Credit: youtube.com, How To Use Jekyll Theme With GitHub Pages (Quick Guide)

If you're looking for a free Jekyll theme, there are some great options out there. Responsive documentation Jekyll theme is a notable one.

New and free Jekyll themes are being released all the time, offering fresh designs and features.

You can find a wide range of free Jekyll themes to suit your needs, from simple to feature-rich options.

A fresh viewpoint: Free Website Counters

Premium Themes

If you're looking for a higher quality theme that's actively supported, there are some excellent options to consider.

Our most popular premium Jekyll themes are designed to help you create a professional online presence. They're perfect for anyone who wants to stand out from the crowd.

A sleek, modern personal website theme is a great choice for those who want to showcase their personality and style.

Multipurpose Jekyll blog themes offer flexibility and versatility, making them ideal for bloggers who want to experiment with different content types.

For creatives who want to showcase their work, a super simple portfolio theme is an excellent option. It's easy to use and allows you to focus on what matters most – your work.

Credit: youtube.com, Featured Projects SKT Themes

Jekyll themes have come a long way in terms of design and functionality.

One theme that stands out is the Responsive documentation Jekyll theme. It's a great option for those who want to create a well-structured and easy-to-navigate documentation site.

This theme is perfect for developers who want to showcase their projects in a professional and sleek way.

Ismael Anderson

Lead Writer

Ismael Anderson is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a focus on technical topics, he has established himself as a reliable source for readers seeking in-depth knowledge on complex subjects. His writing portfolio showcases a range of expertise, including articles on cloud computing and storage solutions, such as AWS S3.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.