How do GitHub Pages work?

GitHub Pages is a feature offered by GitHub that allows users to host static websites directly from a GitHub repository. The primary purpose of GitHub Pages is to provide a simple way for individuals, organizations, and project teams to showcase their work, portfolios, documentation, or project-related content. It is particularly popular among developers for hosting personal blogs or project documentation. To utilize GitHub Pages, a user typically creates a repository on GitHub where the website's files, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, are stored. A website can be hosted from the root of the repository or from a designated directory, often called "docs." Once the files are uploaded, the user can enable GitHub Pages in the repository settings, selecting the source for the site. The user can choose to have the website served from the main branch or from a specific folder. After enabling the feature, GitHub generates a URL where the site can be accessed. The URL is usually formatted as username.github.io/repository-name for user and organization pages, while project pages may appear as username.github.io/repository-name. The updates to the website are reflected as soon as changes are pushed to the repository. Additionally, GitHub Pages supports custom domains, allowing users to link their personal or organizational domain names to their hosted site. Documentation and additional tips are available on the GitHub website, providing further guidance on best practices and advanced features. Users are encouraged to explore the relevant sections of the GitHub documentation for more detailed information.