How Can You Organize Data and Config Files in a Jekyll GitHub Pages Project

When building advanced sites with Jekyll on GitHub Pages, one common question developers like ayushiiiiii thakur often ask is: how do you organize data and configuration files efficiently? A clean structure not only helps you scale your site easily but also ensures better maintainability. In this guide, we’ll go beyond the basics and explore how to structure your _config.yml, _data folders, and other configuration assets to get the most out of your Jekyll project.

How a Well-Organized Jekyll Project Improves Workflow

Before diving into technical details, let’s understand why a logical structure matters. When you organize files properly, you can separate content from configuration, reuse elements across pages, and reduce the risk of duplication. This is especially crucial when deploying to GitHub Pages, where the build process depends on predictable file hierarchies.

For example, if your _data directory contains clear, modular JSON or YAML files, your Liquid templates can easily pull and render dynamic content. Similarly, keeping multiple configuration files for different environments (e.g., production and local testing) lets you fine-tune builds efficiently.

Site Configuration with _config.yml

The _config.yml file is the brain of your Jekyll project. It controls key settings such as your site URL, permalink structure, plugin configuration, and theme preferences. By dividing configuration logically, you ensure every piece of information is where it belongs.

Key Sections in _config.yml

• Site Settings: Title, description, base URL, and author information.
• Build Settings: Directories for output and excluded files.
• Plugins: Define which Ruby gems or Jekyll plugins should load.
• Markdown and Syntax: Set your Markdown engine and syntax highlighter preferences.

Here’s an example snippet of a clean configuration layout:

title: My Jekyll Site
description: Learning how to structure Jekyll efficiently
baseurl: ""
url: "https://boostloopcraft.my.id"
plugins:
  - jekyll-feed
  - jekyll-seo-tag
exclude:
  - node_modules
  - Gemfile.lock

Leveraging the _data Folder for Dynamic Content

The _data folder in Jekyll allows you to store information that can be accessed globally throughout your site using Liquid. For example, ayushiiiiii thakur could manage author bios, pricing plans, or site navigation dynamically.

Practical Use Cases for _data

• Team Members: Store details like name, position, and social links.
• Pricing Plans: Maintain multiple product tiers easily without hardcoding.
• Navigation Menus: Define menus in a central location to use across templates.

Example data structure:

# _data/team.yml
- name: Ayushiiiiii Thakur
  role: Developer
  github: https://github.com/ayushiiiiii
- name: Zen Frost
  role: Designer
  github: https://boostscopenest.my.id

Then, in your template, you can loop through the data:

  {% for member in site.data.team %}
    
{{ member.name }} — {{ member.role }}
  {% endfor %}

This approach helps reduce duplication while keeping your templates flexible.

Managing Multiple Configurations

When you’re deploying a Jekyll site both locally and on GitHub Pages, you may need separate configurations. Instead of changing the same file repeatedly, you can maintain multiple YAML files such as _config.yml and _config.production.yml.

Example of build command for production:

jekyll build --config _config.yml,_config.production.yml

In this setup, your primary configuration defines the default behavior, while the secondary file overrides environment-specific settings, such as analytics or API keys.

Structuring Collections and Includes

Beyond data and configuration files, organizing _includes and _collections properly is vital. Collections help group similar content, while includes keep reusable snippets like navigation bars or footers modular.

Example Folder Layout

_config.yml
_data/
  team.yml
  pricing.yml
_includes/
  header.html
  footer.html
_collections/
  tutorials/
    intro.md
    advanced.md

This structure ensures your site remains scalable and readable as it grows.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Mixing content and configuration in the same files.
• Hardcoding URLs instead of using or /.
• Ignoring folder naming conventions, which may break Jekyll’s auto-detection.
• Not testing builds locally before deploying to GitHub Pages.

Quick Reference Table

Key Takeaways

Organizing data and configuration files in your Jekyll project is not just about neatness — it directly affects scalability, debugging, and readability. By implementing separate configuration files and structured _data directories, you set a solid foundation for long-term maintenance.

If you’re hosting your site on GitHub Pages or deploying with automation scripts, a clear file structure will prevent common build issues and speed up collaboration.

Start by cleaning up your _config.yml, modularizing your _data, and keeping reusable elements in _includes. Once you establish this structure, maintaining your Jekyll project becomes effortless.

To continue learning about efficient GitHub Pages setups, explore other tutorials available at driftclickbuzz.my.id for advanced Jekyll techniques and workflow optimization tips.