How to use the command 'hugo server' (with examples)

The hugo server command is a versatile tool for developers and designers working with Hugo, a popular static site generator. Hugo is known for its speed and flexibility in producing static websites efficiently. The hugo server command facilitates the development process by providing a local web server that builds and serves a site in real-time, allowing for quick previews and testing of changes. Below, we explore several use cases of the hugo server command, showcasing its various options and configurations.

Use case 1: Build and serve a site

Code:

hugo server

Motivation:

Using the hugo server command without any options is the simplest way to start a development server for a Hugo site. This is particularly useful when you want to quickly see how your content and design look in a web browser without manually rebuilding the site every time you make a change. The server also provides auto-refresh capabilities, reloading the browser automatically when a change is detected.

Explanation:

The basic hugo server command runs a local server and builds the site each time a change is made to the files. It has no additional arguments, making it a straightforward command for beginners or quick setups.

Example Output:

Started building sites ...
Built site for language en:
0 of 1 draft rendered
0 future content
0 expired content
1 regular pages created
0 other pages created
0 non-page files copied
0 paginator pages created
Total in 15 ms
Watching for changes in /path/to/site/{content,layouts,static,themes}
Watching for config changes in /path/to/site/config.toml
Environment: "development"
Serving pages from memory
Running in Fast Render Mode. For full rebuilds on change: hugo server --disableFastRender
Web Server is available at http://localhost:1313/ (bind address 127.0.0.1)
Press Ctrl+C to stop

Use case 2: Build and serve a site on a specified port number

Code:

hugo server --port 8080

Motivation:

There may be scenarios where the default port (1313) is already in use or blocked by network policies. In such cases, specifying a different port number for the server can resolve potential conflicts and enable smooth operation. This flexibility is essential in environments with port restrictions or overlapping services.

Explanation:

• --port 8080: This option sets the server to listen on port 8080 instead of the default 1313. By specifying a port, users can avoid conflicts with other services or comply with their network configurations that might require certain services to operate on designated ports.

Example Output:

Started building sites ...
Built site for language en:
0 of 1 draft rendered
0 future content
0 expired content
1 regular pages created
Serving pages from memory
Environment: "development"
Running in Fast Render Mode. 
Web Server is available at http://localhost:8080/ (bind address 127.0.0.1)
Press Ctrl+C to stop

Use case 3: Build and serve a site while minifying supported output formats (HTML, XML, etc.)

Code:

hugo server --minify

Motivation:

Minifying HTML, XML, and other resources is a best practice that reduces the size of the files. This, in turn, can decrease page load times and improve the site’s overall performance. Using the --minify option during the development phase allows developers to preview the site in an optimized state, closely resembling the production version.

Explanation:

• --minify: This argument tells Hugo to compress output files by removing unnecessary characters like spaces and line breaks, which do not affect the functionality but reduce the file’s footprint.

Example Output:

Started building sites ...
Built site for language en:
0 of 1 draft rendered
1 minified pages
0 future content
0 expired content
Web Server is available at http://localhost:1313/ (bind address 127.0.0.1)
Press Ctrl+C to stop

Use case 4: Build and serve a site in the production environment with full re-renders while minifying supported formats

Code:

hugo server --environment production --disableFastRender --minify

Motivation:

This complex configuration is particularly useful when you want to simulate the production environment as closely as possible during development. It ensures that the site builds with the same rigor as it would when deployed while still benefiting from live reloading capabilities. Full re-renders prevent potential discrepancies that could arise from partial rebuilds, offering a more accurate preview.

Explanation:

• --environment production: This switch sets the environment to ‘production’, allowing you to test configurations and features that may only activate in this mode.
• --disableFastRender: Disabling fast render ensures that every change leads to a full rebuild of the site, which can unveil issues that may not appear in incremental builds.
• --minify: As explained earlier, this compresses files, aligning the development site closer to what a production server would serve.

Example Output:

Started building sites ...
Built site for language en:
0 of 1 draft rendered
1 minified pages
0 future content
0 expired content
Environment: "production"
Full rebuild enabled
Web Server is available at http://localhost:1313/ (bind address 127.0.0.1)
Press Ctrl+C to stop

Use case 5: Display help

Code:

hugo server --help

Motivation:

The help command is an invaluable resource for new users or anyone needing a refresher on available options and their usage. It provides a comprehensive list of all possible flags and parameters you can use with the hugo server command, serving as a quick reference and reminder of its extensive capabilities.

Explanation:

• --help: This command outputs a detailed summary of the hugo server options and their meanings, guiding users through practical applications and configurations for their projects.

Example Output:

Hugo Static Site Generator v0.XX-DEV/extended darwin/amd64 BuildDate: unknown

Usage:
  hugo server [flags]

Flags:
      --port int              port number to listen on (default 1313)
      --minify                minify HTML
      --environment string    set the environment (default "development")
      --help                  help for server
      ...

Conclusion:

The hugo server command offers a range of functionalities that cater to diverse development needs. Whether you’re building a simple site, testing in a production-like environment, or looking to optimize content through minification, Hugo provides you with the flexibility needed to create effective workflows. By understanding and utilizing these options, developers can significantly streamline their site-building efforts, ensuring a seamless transition from development to deployment.