Learn Docker With My Newest Course

Dive into Docker takes you from "What is Docker?" to confidently applying Docker to your own projects. It's packed with best practices and examples. Start Learning Docker →

Jekyll Tips, Tricks and Tutorials

This website was powered by Jekyll. Over 9 years I've written hundreds of posts and built a number of features into this site.

splitting-out-web-app-health-check-urls-for-basic-and-database-checks.jpg

Splitting out Web App Health Check URLs for Basic and Database Checks

More specifically a bare bones health check and another separate check that connects to databases and other services you might have.

using-ffmpeg-to-get-an-mp3s-duration-and-4-ways-to-get-the-file-size.jpg

Using FFmpeg to Get an MP3's Duration and 4 Ways to Get the File Size

Here's a Shell script I created to automate a task that used to take a bunch of steps to do manually.

create-a-health-check-url-in-your-web-app-and-monitor-its-uptime.jpg

Create a Health Check URL in Your Web App and Monitor Its Uptime

In this video, we'll go over how to set up a health check endpoint in Flask and use the free UptimeRobot service to monitor your uptime.

using-diff-process-substitution-and-pipes-to-solve-a-real-problem.jpg

Using Diff, Process Substitution and Pipes to Solve a Real Problem

In this video, we'll use diff, find, sed, grep, cut and sort together to write a custom Jekyll tag checking Shell script.

displaying-database-results-across-multiple-columns-with-1-line-of-css.jpg

Displaying Database Results across Multiple Columns with 1 Line of CSS

In this video, we'll loop over data coming in from the back-end and display it in a responsive multi-column layout.

improving-your-page-load-speeds-on-any-site-with-turbolinks.jpg

Improving Your Page Load Speeds on Any Site with Turbolinks

In this video, we'll add 1 line of JavaScript to drastically improve the speed of clicking between links on your site.

live-demo-how-to-begin-writing-tests-in-an-untested-code-base.jpg

Live Demo: How to Begin Writing Tests in an Untested Code Base

In this video I go over testing and documenting the features of an audio player but the steps taken could be applied to any code base.

getting-the-html5-audio-element-working-with-jekyll-in-development.jpg

Getting the HTML5 Audio Element Working with Jekyll in Development

In this video we'll go over how to use nginx with Docker to serve a local Jekyll site so that you can test your audio player.

lessons-learned-from-building-a-podcast-platform-in-2-weekends.jpg

Lessons Learned from Building a Podcast Platform in 2 Weekends

I wanted to launch quickly but also have the site be technically sound from day one. Jekyll and DigitalOcean helped me do that.

add-social-share-buttons-to-your-static-site-without-tracking.jpg

Add Social Share Buttons to Your Static Site Without Tracking

This post is written for Jekyll but everything will work for any site since it's just HTML, CSS and a touch of optional JavaScript.

implementing-3-different-website-features-with-jekyll-using-includes.jpg

Implementing 3 Different Website Features with Jekyll Using Includes

In this 20 minute video we'll cover using the same pattern to add a few useful features on a blog powered by a static site generator.

Never Miss a Tip, Trick or Tutorial

Like you, I'm super protective of my inbox, so don't worry about getting spammed. You can expect a few emails per year (at most), and you can 1-click unsubscribe at any time. See what else you'll get too.