Using the _drafts Folder

Add a _drafts folder to your site root to store posts you are not ready to publish. Posts in this folder do not require a date in the filename and will not appear on your live site.

Filename Requirements

All posts in the _posts folder must follow this format:

YYYY-MM-DD-post-title.md

Files without a date prefix will be ignored by Jekyll and will not publish.

Publishing Drafts

When you are ready to publish drafts:

1. Save all unfinished posts in _drafts/ (no date needed)
2. Run add-dates.bat
3. The script will add today’s date to each filename and move them to _posts/
4. Build and upload your site

Quick Reference

A paragraph with bold text, italic emphasis, strikethrough, inline code, and a link. This demonstrates body text rendering, line height, and font pairing.

Lists & Structure

• Unordered list item
  • Nested item with more text to show indentation
  • Another nested item
• Second top-level item

1. Ordered list first item
2. Second item with bold and italic mixed in
3. Third item showing how numbers align

Block Elements

A blockquote to demonstrate styling for quoted content. This shows how the theme handles left borders, background tints, and text contrast.

Code & Syntax Highlighting

// JavaScript example
function greet(name) {
  return `Hello, ${name}!`;
}

const users = ["Alice", "Bob", "Charlie"];
users.forEach(user => {
  console.log(greet(user));
});

Callouts (Admonitions)

Note callout Important information worth highlighting. Shows how the theme styles containers with icons and background colors.

Tip callout Helpful advice or shortcut. Demonstrates accent colors and visual hierarchy.

Warning callout Something requiring caution. Tests contrast and attention-grabbing styling.

Tasks & Interactive Elements

• Completed task item
• Incomplete task
• Another pending item with bold emphasis

Typography Details

Heading levels (h3–h6)

Level 4 heading

Level 5 heading

Level 6 heading

When you share a post on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, or LinkedIn, those platforms will now display a preview image instead of your avatar.

How It Works

The theme uses Open Graph meta tags to tell social media platforms which image to display when a link is shared.

Setup Steps

1. Create a Default Share Image

Create a default image that will be used for all posts:

assets/
└── images/
    └── share-default.jpg    ← Create this file

Recommended Size: 1200 x 630 pixels

Tips:

• Use a branded image with your site name or logo
• Keep text minimal and readable at small sizes
• Use high contrast for better visibility

2. Optional: Custom Image Per Post

You can specify a different share image for individual posts by adding an image field in the front matter:

---
layout: post
title: "My Status Update"
date: 2024-01-15 14:30:00 -0500
image: /assets/images/custom-share.jpg
---
Your post content here...

Highlight important announcements, welcome messages, or key content in the right sidebar on desktop screens.

How to Pin a Post

1. Create or Edit a Post

   Open any post in _posts/ and add pin: true to the front matter:

   ---
   layout: post
   title: "Welcome to My Status Wall"
   date: 2024-01-15 12:00:00 -0500
   pin: true
   ---
   This post will appear in the right sidebar!
   

2. Using the Batch File (Windows)

   When you run new-post.bat, answer y when asked:

   Pin this post to sidebar? (y/n): y
   

3. Rebuild & Upload

   Option 1: The Long Way

   bundle exec jekyll build
   

   Upload the updated _site/ contents to your host.

   Option 2: The Quick Way (if hosting your own site) Click the build.bat Click the upload.bat

   Option 3: The Fastest Way (if hosting your own site) Click the deploy.bat

How Many Posts Show?

• Default: Up to 5 pinned posts display in the sidebar
• Order: Newest pinned posts appear first
• Too Many? Only the 5 most recent pinned posts show automatically

How to Unpin a Post

Simply remove or change the pin: field in the post’s front matter:

---
layout: post
title: "No Longer Pinned"
date: 2024-01-15 12:00:00 -0500
pin: false    # ← Change to false or remove this line entirely
---

Best Uses for Pinned Posts

Create a Custom Theme

1. Create assets/themes/your-theme.css
2. Add your colors:

   :root {
     --bg-color: #yourbg;
     --card-bg: #yourcard;
     --text-color: #yourtext;
     --accent-color: #youraccent;
   }
   body { background: var(--bg-color); color: var(--text-color); }
   

   ---

After Editing/Adding Your Theme Activate Using:

_includes > css-links.html >

<link rel="stylesheet" href="/assets/themes/dark.css">

Edit the /assets/themes/new-theme.css line to your new theme.

Display clickable promotional images, book covers, or favorite photos in the left sidebar on desktop screens.

How to Add Featured Images

1. Add Your Image

   Place your image in the assets/images/featured/ folder:

   assets/
   └── images/
       └── featured/
           ├── book-cover.jpg
           ├── promo-banner.png
           └── portfolio-photo.jpg
   

2. Edit the Configuration File

   Open _data/featured-images.yml and add an entry:

   - image: /assets/images/featured/book-cover.jpg
     link: https://amazon.com/yourbook
     alt: "My New Book - Available Now!"
      
   - image: /assets/images/featured/promo-banner.png
     link: https://yourwebsite.com/promo
     alt: "Special Promotion"
   

3. Rebuild & Upload

   bundle exec jekyll build
   

   Upload the updated _site/ contents to your host.

Configuration Options