What is GitHub Pages and Why Should Developers Use It

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What is GitHub Pages and Why Do Developers Love It

If you've ever searched for a free, developer-friendly hosting solution that integrates perfectly with static site generators like Jekyll, you've probably stumbled upon GitHub Pages. But what exactly is it, and why has it become a go-to platform for developers, technical bloggers, and even product documentation teams?

In this article, we’ll explore what GitHub Pages really is, how it works behind the scenes, its advantages and limitations, and why so many developers pair it with Jekyll themes like Mediumish to build powerful, fast-loading, SEO-optimized websites.

What is GitHub Pages

GitHub Pages is a free static site hosting service provided by GitHub. It allows you to turn your GitHub repositories into fully functional websites using static HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files — no backend or server-side code necessary.

When combined with static site generators like Jekyll, GitHub Pages becomes a full-featured content platform that supports blogs, documentation portals, and portfolio websites — all hosted for free on GitHub’s robust infrastructure.

How GitHub Pages Works Under the Hood

At its core, GitHub Pages takes files from a GitHub repository, optionally runs them through a build process (like Jekyll), and serves them as a website. There are two ways you can publish:

  • User or Organization site: Hosted at https://yourusername.github.io using the main branch of a repo named yourusername.github.io
  • Project site: Hosted at https://yourusername.github.io/project-name using a specific branch (usually gh-pages) or the /docs folder of main

Why Developers Choose GitHub Pages

There are several reasons GitHub Pages is a popular choice for developers, especially those working with technical content or simple web apps:

1. Completely Free Hosting

There are no hosting fees, bandwidth limits, or usage restrictions — you just need a GitHub account. For individual developers and small projects, this is incredibly cost-effective.

2. Git-Based Version Control

Because your site lives in a Git repository, every change is tracked, and you can roll back or branch your content like you would any codebase. Collaboration becomes seamless with pull requests and issues.

3. Native Jekyll Support

GitHub Pages has built-in support for Jekyll, a static site generator that turns markdown files into HTML. Jekyll is perfect for blogs and documentation because it supports templating, permalinks, tags, and more.

4. Lightning-Fast Load Times

Since GitHub Pages only serves static files, there’s no server-side processing to slow things down. This translates into faster load times and better SEO out-of-the-box.

5. SSL and Custom Domains

You get HTTPS by default, and it’s easy to set up custom domains (like www.yoursite.com) with automatic SSL via Let’s Encrypt.

6. Integrates with CI/CD

Because it’s built on GitHub, it plays nicely with GitHub Actions and other CI/CD workflows. You can automate publishing, linting, testing, and more.

Who Should Use GitHub Pages

GitHub Pages is not for every project. Here’s who benefits the most:

  • Developers creating technical blogs or portfolios
  • Open-source maintainers who want to build documentation sites
  • Educators sharing course materials or interactive tutorials
  • Startup teams who need simple landing pages without backend logic
  • Writers and bloggers who prefer markdown and Git

Common Use Cases

Let’s break down some popular use cases of GitHub Pages:

Personal Developer Portfolio

You can showcase your resume, projects, and GitHub contributions on a sleek site that updates with your commits.

Technical Blog Using Jekyll

Pair GitHub Pages with Jekyll and a theme like Mediumish to publish developer blogs with minimal setup.

Project Documentation Site

Create an entire documentation portal for your open-source tool or library, complete with search, sidebar, and versioning.

Course Websites

Instructors can publish course materials, assignments, and reading lists that students can access online for free.

Resume or Landing Page

A single-page site highlighting your skills, GitHub profile, and social media accounts can be created in minutes.

Limitations of GitHub Pages

Although it’s powerful, GitHub Pages isn’t perfect. Here are a few things to consider:

1. Static Only

GitHub Pages can’t run server-side code like PHP, Python, or Node.js. It’s best for static HTML/CSS/JS sites.

2. Limited Plugins

Only a few Jekyll plugins are supported by default. You’ll need a custom build (e.g. with GitHub Actions) to use unsupported plugins.

3. No Built-In CMS

Unlike WordPress, GitHub Pages doesn’t have a visual editor or CMS — you’ll need to write in markdown or HTML directly.

4. Single Repository Limit for User Sites

You can only have one username.github.io site per GitHub account. For multiple sites, you must create them as project sites.

Understanding Jekyll Integration

GitHub Pages supports Jekyll out-of-the-box. This allows you to:

  • Use templates and layouts for reusable content
  • Create blog posts with permalinks and categories
  • Write pages in markdown and transform them into styled HTML
  • Include dynamic content with Liquid templating

The real magic happens when you pair GitHub Pages with a professional-looking Jekyll theme like Mediumish.

Why Use the Mediumish Theme for Jekyll

Mediumish is a modern Jekyll theme inspired by Medium’s minimalist reading experience. It focuses on typography, whitespace, and responsive design — making it ideal for developers who want to publish long-form content or blogs without writing much CSS.

Features of Mediumish

  • Clean and minimal layout
  • Responsive design for mobile and tablet
  • Homepage with featured post and post list
  • Author box and social media links
  • Tags and categories

Where It Shines

Mediumish shines when used for:

  • Developer blogs with tutorials and code snippets
  • Technical product announcements or changelogs
  • Personal sites with a professional tone

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

Here’s a high-level overview of how to get started with Mediumish on GitHub Pages:

1. Fork the Mediumish Jekyll Repository

Start by forking a public Mediumish Jekyll repo into your GitHub account.

2. Rename Repository (Optional)

If it’s your main site, rename it to yourusername.github.io.

3. Customize Configuration

Edit _config.yml to update the site title, description, author, and social links.

4. Replace Demo Content

Go into the _posts folder and start replacing demo blog posts with your own.

5. Enable GitHub Pages

Go to the repo settings, scroll down to Pages, and choose the main branch or /docs folder. GitHub will generate your site URL.

6. (Optional) Add a Custom Domain

Add a CNAME file and configure your DNS settings for a custom domain.

Best Practices for GitHub Pages and Jekyll

To make the most of GitHub Pages and the Mediumish theme:

  • Use descriptive permalinks for SEO
  • Compress images for faster page load
  • Use _includes and _layouts for modular templates
  • Keep _config.yml organized and documented
  • Use GitHub Actions to build locally if you need plugins

When Should You Not Use GitHub Pages

GitHub Pages may not be ideal if:

  • You need dynamic features like user login, forms, or a CMS
  • Your site requires database support
  • You want drag-and-drop editing or WYSIWYG tools
  • You’re building a complex SaaS product or e-commerce site

Conclusion: Is GitHub Pages the Right Choice for You

If you’re a developer, writer, or open-source maintainer looking for a fast, reliable, and free platform to host static content, GitHub Pages is a fantastic choice. Combined with Jekyll and a theme like Mediumish, it enables you to create professional, SEO-friendly websites without ever leaving your Git repository.

Whether you're starting a developer blog, documenting your project, or launching a minimalist portfolio, GitHub Pages provides all the essentials — with zero cost and minimal setup.