Hexo Tutorial - Building Your First Blog

Welcome to the comprehensive Hexo tutorial! In this guide, we’ll walk you through creating your first blog using Hexo static site generator.

What is Hexo?

Hexo is a fast, simple and powerful blog framework powered by Node.js. It supports:

  • Markdown - Write posts in Markdown
  • Lightning Fast - Hundreds of files take only seconds to build
  • Plugin System - Powerful plugin system for extensibility
  • Themes - Beautiful themes available

Prerequisites

Before we start, make sure you have:

  1. Node.js installed
  2. Git installed
  3. Basic knowledge of command line

Installation

Install Hexo CLI

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npm install -g hexo-cli

Create a new blog

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hexo init my-blog
cd my-blog
npm install

Basic Commands

Create a new post

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hexo new "My First Post"

Generate static files

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hexo generate

Start local server

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hexo server

Deploy your blog

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hexo deploy

Writing Your First Post

  1. Create a new post: hexo new "Hello World"
  2. Edit the generated file in source/_posts/
  3. Add your content in Markdown format
  4. Save and preview with hexo server

Customization

Themes

You can customize your blog with beautiful themes:

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git clone https://github.com/theme-author/theme-name.git themes/theme-name

Configuration

Edit _config.yml to customize:

  • Site information
  • Theme settings
  • Deployment options
  • Plugin configurations

Best Practices

  1. Regular Backups - Keep your source files safe
  2. Version Control - Use Git for version control
  3. SEO Optimization - Use proper titles and descriptions
  4. Mobile Friendly - Choose responsive themes

Conclusion

Hexo is an excellent choice for creating static blogs. With its simplicity and powerful features, you can focus on writing great content while Hexo handles the technical aspects.

Happy blogging with Hexo!