CLAUDE.md

This file provides guidance to Claude Code (claude.ai/code) when working with code in this repository.

Project Overview

This is a Jekyll-based GitHub Pages site using the Minimal Mistakes remote theme (v4.27.3). The site is hosted on GitHub Pages and uses the standard Jekyll static site generator.

Development Commands

Essential Commands

• Start development server: bundle exec jekyll serve
• Build site: bundle exec jekyll build
• Install/update dependencies: bundle install
• Update Gemfile.lock: bundle update

Testing and Validation

• Check Jekyll build: bundle exec jekyll build --verbose
• Serve with drafts: bundle exec jekyll serve --drafts

Architecture and Structure

Core Configuration

• _config.yml: Main Jekyll configuration file. Contains site settings, theme configuration, and plugin definitions. Uses remote_theme for Minimal Mistakes.
• Gemfile: Ruby dependencies - uses github-pages gem for GitHub Pages compatibility and jekyll-include-cache for theme support.

Content Structure

• _posts/: Blog posts in YYYY-MM-DD-title.markdown format
• index.markdown: Homepage with layout: home
• about.markdown: About page with layout: page
• 404.html: Custom 404 error page

Theme System

The site uses Minimal Mistakes remote theme which provides:

• Responsive layouts
• Multiple skin options
• Built-in archive pages
• Navigation support
• Social media integration

When modifying layouts or includes, refer to the Minimal Mistakes documentation as the theme files are not stored locally.

Deployment

• Primary branch: gh-pages (deployment branch)
• Main branch: main (for pull requests)
• Site automatically deploys to GitHub Pages when changes are pushed to gh-pages branch

Key Development Notes

• Jekyll version is pinned to 3.10.0 (GitHub Pages version)
• Always use bundle exec prefix for Jekyll commands to ensure correct gem versions
• The remote theme means theme files are not editable locally - use Jekyll’s override mechanism for customizations
• Add custom CSS in assets/css/main.scss with proper front matter
• Custom JavaScript goes in assets/js/ directory