Jekyll Optional Front Matter screenshot

Jekyll Optional Front Matter

Author Avatar Theme by Benbalter
Updated: 25 Jun 2025
86 Stars

A Jekyll plugin to make front matter optional for Markdown files

Overview:

The Jekyll Optional Front Matter plugin offers a simple yet powerful enhancement to your Jekyll setup by allowing Markdown files to be rendered as HTML without the need for mandatory YAML front matter. This is particularly useful for users who are managing simpler sites or projects where such a requirement can feel cumbersome. By eliminating the need for additional metadata in straightforward documents, it streamlines the workflow, letting you focus on content creation rather than on configuration.

For Jekyll users who have faced the frustration of requiring front matter for every file, this plugin opens up new possibilities. It enables easier management of Markdown documents, making it ideal for personal blogs or small projects where minimalism is key. With just a few simple installation steps, you can enjoy a smoother experience creating and deploying content.

Features:

  • Optional Front Matter: Seamlessly render Markdown files as HTML without the need for YAML front matter, simplifying content creation.
  • Configuration Flexibility: Easily configure the plugin through your _config.yml file, allowing you to customize how optional front matter behaves.
  • Compatibility: Works with Markdown files across your site’s source, adhering to the same processing order as files with traditional front matter.
  • Static Page Management: Control the inclusion of original Markdown files in the final output with an option to remove them if necessary.
  • Backward Compatibility: Maintains consistency with previous configurations, ensuring that essential meta files still require front matter unless specified otherwise.
  • Simple Installation: Quick to set up using Bundler, making it accessible even for those new to Jekyll plugins.
  • Disabling Plugin: Offers the flexibility to disable the plugin in the configuration if needed, providing control over your Jekyll setup.