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Deploying to GitHub Pages with GitHub Actions

March 5, 2024 githubdeploymentautomation

GitHub Pages is a fantastic free hosting solution for static sites. Combined with GitHub Actions, you can automate your deployment workflow completely.

What is GitHub Pages?

GitHub Pages is a static site hosting service that takes files from a GitHub repository and publishes them as a website. It’s:

  • Free: No cost for public repositories
  • Fast: Served via CDN for quick loading
  • Reliable: Backed by GitHub’s infrastructure
  • Easy: Simple setup and configuration

Automating with GitHub Actions

GitHub Actions allows you to automate the build and deployment process. Every time you push changes, your site automatically rebuilds and deploys.

Benefits of Automation

  • No manual build steps required
  • Consistent deployment process
  • Version control for your content
  • Easy rollback if needed

Workflow Example

A typical workflow:

  1. Write your content locally
  2. Commit and push to GitHub
  3. GitHub Actions builds your site
  4. Built site deploys to GitHub Pages
  5. Your site is live!

Best Practices

When using GitHub Pages:

  • Keep your repository organized
  • Use meaningful commit messages
  • Test builds locally before pushing
  • Monitor your Actions for any failures

Conclusion

GitHub Pages with GitHub Actions provides a powerful, free solution for hosting static sites with automatic deployment.