Setting Up Your GitHub Repository

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 39 views

Introduction

Welcome to the world of GitHub Pages and Jekyll! As a beginner, setting up your first portfolio page can be a daunting task. But don't worry, we've got you covered. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of setting up your first GitHub Page using a Jekyll template. We'll be using the popular Chirpy-Starter theme by cotes2020, which is a great starting point for beginners.

What is GitHub Pages?

GitHub Pages is a free service offered by GitHub that allows you to host static websites directly from your GitHub repository. It's a great way to showcase your projects, share your knowledge, and build your personal brand. With GitHub Pages, you can create a custom domain, customize your website's design, and even use Jekyll to create a dynamic website.

What is Jekyll?

Jekyll is a static site generator that allows you to create dynamic websites using a simple, markup-based syntax. It's a great tool for building blogs, portfolios, and other types of websites. Jekyll uses a combination of HTML, CSS, and Liquid (a templating language) to create a dynamic website that's easy to maintain and update.

Setting Up Your GitHub Repository

To get started with GitHub Pages, you'll need to create a new repository on GitHub. Here's how:

Create a new repository: Go to GitHub and click on the "+" button to create a new repository. Give your repository a name, and choose a public or private repository.
Initialize a new repository: Once your repository is created, click on the "Initialize this repository with a README" button. This will create a new README file in your repository.
Create a new branch: Create a new branch for your GitHub Pages site. You can do this by clicking on the "New branch" button and naming your branch (e.g. "gh-pages").

Forking the Chirpy-Starter Theme

Now that you have your GitHub repository set up, it's time to fork the Chirpy-Starter theme. Here's how:

Find the Chirpy-Starter theme: Go to the Chirpy-Starter theme repository on GitHub and click on the "Fork" button.
Create a new branch: Create a new branch for your forked theme. You can do this by clicking on the "New branch" button and naming your branch (e.g. "my-chirpy-theme").
Clone your forked theme: Clone your forked theme to your local machine using the git clone command.

Configuring Your Jekyll Site

Now that you have your forked theme, it's time to configure your Jekyll site. Here's how:

Create a new _config.yml file: Create a new file called _config.yml in the root of your repository. This file will contain your Jekyll site's configuration settings.
Configure your site: Configure your site by adding your site's title, description, and other settings to the _config.yml file.
Create a new index.md file: Create a new file called index.md in the root of your repository. This file will contain the content of your site's homepage.

Building Your Jekyll Site

Now that you have your Jekyll site configured, it's time to build your site. Here's how:

Install Jekyll: Install Jekyll on your local machine using the gem install jekyll command.
Build your site: Build your site using the jekyll build command.
Serve your site: Serve your site using the jekyll serve command.

Deploying Your GitHub Pages Site

Now that you have your Jekyll site built, it's time to deploy your GitHub Pages site. Here's how:

Push your changes: Push your changes to your GitHub repository using the git push command.
Verify your site: Verify your site by checking the GitHub Pages website.
Customize your site: Customize your site by adding your own content, images, and other features.

Conclusion

Setting up your first GitHub Page with a Jekyll template can seem daunting, but with this guide, you should be able to get started in no time. Remember to fork the Chirpy-Starter theme, configure your Jekyll site, build your site, and deploy your GitHub Pages site. Good luck, and happy building!

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues while setting up your GitHub Page, here are some common troubleshooting tips:

Check your repository: Make sure your repository is public and that you have the necessary permissions to push changes.
Check your Jekyll site: Make sure your Jekyll site is configured correctly and that you have the necessary dependencies installed.
Check your GitHub Pages site: Make sure your GitHub Pages site is configured correctly and that you have the necessary settings enabled.

Resources

Here are some additional resources that may help you with setting up your GitHub Page:

GitHub Pages documentation: The official GitHub Pages documentation is a great resource for learning more about GitHub Pages and how to use it.
Jekyll documentation: The official Jekyll documentation is a great resource for learning more about Jekyll and how to use it.
Chirpy-Starter theme documentation: The official Chirpy-Starter theme documentation is a great resource for learning more about the Chirpy-Starter theme and how to use it.
GitHub Pages and Jekyll Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions ===========================================================

Q: What is GitHub Pages?

A: GitHub Pages is a free service offered by GitHub that allows you to host static websites directly from your GitHub repository. It's a great way to showcase your projects, share your knowledge, and build your personal brand.

Q: What is Jekyll?

A: Jekyll is a static site generator that allows you to create dynamic websites using a simple, markup-based syntax. It's a great tool for building blogs, portfolios, and other types of websites.

Q: How do I set up a GitHub Page with a Jekyll template?

A: To set up a GitHub Page with a Jekyll template, you'll need to create a new repository on GitHub, fork a Jekyll template (such as the Chirpy-Starter theme), configure your Jekyll site, build your site, and deploy your GitHub Pages site.

Q: What is the Chirpy-Starter theme?

A: The Chirpy-Starter theme is a popular Jekyll template that's great for beginners. It's a simple, customizable theme that's perfect for building a personal website or blog.

Q: How do I configure my Jekyll site?

A: To configure your Jekyll site, you'll need to create a new _config.yml file in the root of your repository. This file will contain your Jekyll site's configuration settings, such as your site's title, description, and other settings.

Q: How do I build my Jekyll site?

A: To build your Jekyll site, you'll need to install Jekyll on your local machine using the gem install jekyll command. Then, you can build your site using the jekyll build command.

Q: How do I deploy my GitHub Pages site?

A: To deploy your GitHub Pages site, you'll need to push your changes to your GitHub repository using the git push command. Then, you can verify your site by checking the GitHub Pages website.

Q: What are some common troubleshooting tips for GitHub Pages and Jekyll?

A: Some common troubleshooting tips for GitHub Pages and Jekyll include:

Checking your repository to make sure it's public and that you have the necessary permissions to push changes.
Checking your Jekyll site to make sure it's configured correctly and that you have the necessary dependencies installed.
Checking your GitHub Pages site to make sure it's configured correctly and that you have the necessary settings enabled.

Q: What are some additional resources for learning more about GitHub Pages and Jekyll?

A: Some additional resources for learning more about GitHub Pages and Jekyll include:

The official GitHub Pages documentation.
The official Jekyll documentation.
The official Chirpy-Starter theme documentation.

Q: Can I use GitHub Pages with other static site generators?

A: Yes, you can use GitHub Pages with other static site generators, such as Hugo or Middleman. However, Jekyll is a popular choice for GitHub Pages because of its ease of use and flexibility.

Q: How do I customize my GitHub Pages site?

A: To customize your GitHub Pages site, you can add your own content, images, and other features to your site. You can also use Jekyll's built-in features, such as Liquid templating, to create a dynamic website.

Q: Can I use GitHub Pages for e-commerce or other commercial purposes?

A: Yes, you can use GitHub Pages for e-commerce or other commercial purposes. However, you'll need to comply with GitHub's terms of service and ensure that your site is properly configured for commercial use.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with my GitHub Pages site?

A: To troubleshoot issues with your GitHub Pages site, you can check your repository, Jekyll site, and GitHub Pages site for errors. You can also use GitHub's built-in troubleshooting tools, such as the GitHub Pages dashboard, to help identify and fix issues.