How to use the command 'zola' (with examples)

Zola is a static site generator that comes in a single binary, providing all the necessary tools to create, build, and serve static websites. It consolidates a variety of functionalities into one package, aiming to streamline the static website development process without requiring any dependencies. Whether you are a seasoned developer or a beginner, Zola offers simplicity and efficiency by minimizing configuration needs while maximizing flexibility.

Use case 1: Create the directory structure used by Zola at the given directory

Code:

zola init my_site

Motivation:

When you are starting a new project, having a well-defined structure is crucial as it sets the foundation for the entire development process. The zola init command aids in quickly setting up the essential directory structure required for a Zola project. This includes creating folders for content, templates, static files, and configuration. This organized starting point ensures that you can focus on content creation and not worry about organizing your files manually.

Explanation:

• zola init: This is the Zola command to initialize a new site. It tells Zola to set up the scaffolding needed for a new project.
• my_site: This argument specifies the name of the directory where the Zola project structure will be created. If the directory doesn’t exist, it will be created.

Example output:

> Initializing a new Zola site
> Creating "my_site/config.toml"...
> Creating "my_site/content"...
> Creating "my_site/static"...
> Creating "my_site/templates"...
> Creating "my_site/themes"...
> Site initialized into my_site

Use case 2: Build the whole site in the public directory after deleting it

Code:

zola build

Motivation:

Once your site is ready to be deployed, you need an efficient way to compile your content, templates, and configurations into static files that can be served easily. The zola build command does this by generating the final static files from your project source, placing them in the public directory. This is essential for previewing the site as it would appear to end-users and for deploying the site to a hosting service.

Explanation:

• zola build: This command instructs Zola to compile all your project files into static files. It automatically cleans the public directory to ensure there are no residual files from previous builds, thus preventing potential conflicts.

Example output:

> Building site...
> Creating the public directory
> Success! The site has been built in the "public" directory

Use case 3: Build the whole site into a different directory

Code:

zola build --output-dir path/to/output_directory/

Motivation:

Sometimes, you may need to export the built files to a different location other than the default public directory. This is useful when managing multiple versions of a site or when integrating the build process into a larger workflow, such as automated deployments or backup scripts.

Explanation:

• zola build: Initiates the build process.
• --output-dir path/to/output_directory/: The --output-dir option allows you to specify a custom directory path where the static site should be exported. Replace path/to/output_directory/ with your desired output path.

Example output:

> Building site...
> Creating output directory at path/to/output_directory/
> Success! The site has been built in the "path/to/output_directory"

Use case 4: Build and serve the site using a local server (default is 127.0.0.1:1111)

Code:

zola serve

Motivation:

The zola serve command is particularly useful during the development phase, as it allows you to see changes live without manually rebuilding and refreshing your browser. This feature enhances productivity by providing immediate feedback on changes, such as modifying content or altering styles.

Explanation:

• zola serve: This command compiles your site and also starts a local server. By default, the server runs at 127.0.0.1:1111, allowing you to view your site as it will look once deployed.

Example output:

> Building site...
> Serving site at http://127.0.0.1:1111
> Watching for changes

Use case 5: Build all pages just like the build command would, but without writing any of the results to disk

Code:

zola check

Motivation:

This command is beneficial for developers who want to verify the correctness of their site without outputting a full build. It ensures that all links, references, and configurations are error-free, acting like a dry-run before the actual build. This is especially useful for larger projects where a full build might take considerable time.

Explanation:

• zola check: Executes a comprehensive check of the site, simulating a full build process but does not write the resulting files to disk. This helps catch errors without cluttering your filesystem.

Example output:

> Checking site...
> No errors found, you are good to go!

Conclusion:

Zola offers a plethora of commands designed to streamline the static site development process, from initialization to serving and error-checking. Each command serves a distinct purpose, allowing developers to efficiently create, build, and manage their projects. As demonstrated through the examples, Zola is a powerful tool for anyone looking to develop static websites with minimal hassle.