Can You Use Jekyll Without Any Coding Skills
Is It Possible to Use Jekyll Without Writing Code?
One of the most persistent myths about Jekyll is that it’s only for developers. It’s easy to understand why: the official documentation talks about Ruby, command-line tools, and YAML files. But here’s the truth — you can run a full-featured Jekyll blog without installing anything, without a terminal, and without writing a single line of code.
In this article, we’ll explore how absolute beginners — even those with zero programming background — can create, customize, and manage a Jekyll-powered blog using just GitHub and a browser.
Why Do People Think Jekyll Requires Coding?
The perception comes from how Jekyll was originally designed: as a static site generator that runs locally on your machine. This setup requires Ruby, bundler, and terminal commands. However, when combined with GitHub Pages and pre-made themes, all of this complexity disappears.
Where the Confusion Starts
- Installation instructions on jekyllrb.com involve terminal commands.
- Mentions of Liquid templating can be intimidating.
- Many tutorials assume users already know Markdown, Git, or HTML.
But thanks to GitHub Pages' built-in Jekyll support, you don't need to touch any of that if you're using the right approach.
Can You Really Build a Jekyll Site Without the Terminal?
Yes. If you’re willing to start from a working theme (like Mediumish), you can set up and run your own blog by simply editing files directly in GitHub’s web interface. No local setup required.
Here's All You Need to Get Started:
- A GitHub account
- A browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.)
- A starter Jekyll theme repository (preconfigured)
What’s the Simplest Way to Launch a Jekyll Blog?
The easiest workflow is to fork a ready-to-use Jekyll theme hosted on GitHub, like the Mediumish theme, and then make edits using GitHub’s visual editor.
Step-by-Step Guide (No Terminal Needed)
Step 1: Find a Jekyll Theme on GitHub
Search for “Jekyll Mediumish theme GitHub” or go directly to a known theme repository.
Step 2: Fork the Repository
Click the "Fork" button in the top-right of the GitHub page to create your own copy of the repository under your GitHub account.
Step 3: Enable GitHub Pages
Go to the “Settings” tab of your forked repository, scroll down to “Pages,” and select the branch (e.g., main) and folder (usually / or /docs). GitHub will automatically publish your site at https://yourusername.github.io/your-repo-name.
Step 4: Edit Your Site Content in the Browser
- Go to the
_config.ymlfile to change the site title, description, and social links. - Edit or add Markdown files in the
_postsfolder to create new blog posts. - Update navigation menus via data files (if the theme uses them).
What is Markdown and Do You Need to Learn It?
Markdown is a simplified way of writing formatted text. It’s easier than HTML and used for writing blog content in Jekyll.
Basic Markdown Syntax You Should Know
# Headingcreates a title**bold**makes text bold*italic*makes text italic[Link](https://example.com)adds a hyperlinkembeds an image
That’s all you need to write blog posts in Jekyll.
How Do You Customize the Design Without Code?
Most themes allow basic customization through settings in the _config.yml file and CSS overrides.
What You Can Change Without Coding:
- Site name, logo, tagline
- Author name and social media links
- Colors and fonts (with minimal CSS, or a visual theme builder)
- Navigation structure via data files or navigation includes
If you're using a well-built theme like Mediumish, the entire layout is already styled and responsive. All you need is to replace demo content with your own.
Can You Add New Pages Easily?
Yes. Create a new Markdown file in the root directory or in a folder, and define basic front matter:
---
layout: page
title: About
permalink: /about/
---
Welcome to my about page!
Once saved, your new page will automatically appear on the site based on the permalink you defined.
Is This Approach Sustainable for a Growing Blog?
Absolutely. Many creators maintain long-term blogs on Jekyll with no local setup. GitHub’s file editor supports full version control, and every change you make is logged and reversible.
Best Practices for No-Code Users
- Keep a backup copy of your posts offline (just in case)
- Organize posts by year using filenames:
2025-06-28-title.md - Use meaningful tags and categories in your post front matter
Can You Publish from Your Phone?
Yes! GitHub’s mobile site or apps let you browse, edit, and even commit changes directly. It’s not as fast as desktop editing, but it’s fully possible to update your Jekyll blog from anywhere.
How Is This Better Than WordPress for Beginners?
Jekyll may not have a visual editor like WordPress, but it offers benefits that are especially attractive for non-technical users over time:
- No plugins to break or update
- No hosting fees (GitHub Pages is free)
- No login pages to get hacked
- No database crashes or slow load times
It’s a stable, low-maintenance publishing platform with high performance and full control.
What If You Want to Add a Contact Form or Search?
There are tools built specifically for static sites that integrate easily, even without code.
Contact Form Options
Search Options
Both can be added with simple copy-paste HTML into your layout or post file.
Conclusion
You don’t need to be a coder to use Jekyll. With the right starting point—a GitHub-hosted theme and the built-in GitHub Pages system—you can run a beautiful, fast, and professional blog entirely from your browser.
Key Takeaways
- Jekyll is beginner-friendly when used through GitHub Pages with themes.
- No installation or coding is needed to publish content or customize a site.
- Markdown is simple enough for anyone to learn in minutes.
- Free hosting and version control make Jekyll ideal for long-term use.
If you’re afraid of Jekyll because of the “developer” label, this is your sign to give it a try. You might be surprised by how much you can do—without writing a single line of code.