What is GitHub Pages?
GitHub Pages is a free hosting service that lets you publish static websites directly from a GitHub repository. If you're working with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, it's one of the fastest ways to get a site live.
Step 1: Create Your Repository
Go to github.com/new and create a new public repository.
If you want to make a personal site, name it exactly like this:
yourusername.github.io (replace yourusername with your actual GitHub username).
Step 2: Add Your Website Files
- Clone the repository to your computer with Git:
- Add your website files to the folder. Make sure you have an
index.html. - Commit and push your changes:
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/yourusername.github.io
git add .
git commit -m "Initial commit"
git push origin main
Step 3: Enable GitHub Pages
Go to your repository on GitHub, then click Settings > Pages.
Under “Source”, choose the branch to publish from (usually main) and click Save.
Your site will go live in a few seconds at https://yourusername.github.io.
Step 4: Optional - Add a Custom Domain
You can point your own domain (like mycoolsite.com) to your GitHub Pages site.
You’ll need to configure DNS records and add a CNAME file in your repo with your domain name inside it.
For full instructions, visit GitHub’s official guide: Configuring a custom domain .
Useful Tips
- You can use a static site generator like Jekyll, Hugo, or Astro with GitHub Pages.
- Every time you push changes to the branch you selected, your site automatically updates.
- Use
.nojekyllfile in the root if you're not using Jekyll and want to avoid GitHub's auto-parsing.
Wrapping Up
GitHub Pages is perfect for coders who want a fast, simple, and free way to publish their work. Whether you're showing off projects, writing technical blogs, or deploying tools like this site—GitHub Pages is a great choice.