The framework only uses client-side JavaScript, so it doesn’t require node.js, etc. It uses several JavaScript libraries, but includes copies of them. So, nothing to see here; move along…
Recent releases of Mac OS X (10.5 or later) include solid, if somewhat dated, Ruby environments:
So, for simplicity, we suggest that you use only version 1.8.6 features unless there is a compelling reason to use something from a later version.
Jekyll requires the classifier, directory_watcher, liquid, maruku, and open4 gems. These are automatically installed by the gem install jekyll command.
_bin/layouts requires the yaml gem.
Make sure you have the dependencies.
Go to GitHub and fork a copy of the project.
Clone the fork to your development machine.
Start a “shell” window (eg, in Terminal).
cd to the project directory.
run jekyll --server
In a browser, go to http://0.0.0.0:4000
You should see the same “Index” page that appears on GitHub Pages. Try a demo or two, as a further sanity check…
Edit a Markdown file (eg, index.markdown) making a minor, but visible change in its rendered appearance.
run _bin/layouts
run jekyll --server
In a browser, go to http://0.0.0.0:4000
You should see the modified “Index” page.