Guides

These guides walk through SSI concepts using the numbered examples included with the project. Each guide builds on the previous.

Examples 1–4: Getting Started

The Getting Started guide covers the first four examples: copy-only sites, basic template processing, Markdown content, and organizing with multiple steps. Start here if you are new to SSI.

Examples 5–9: Advanced Step Patterns

The Advanced Step Patterns guide covers auto-detection, component libraries, structured data, inline vs. block processing, and per-page content resolution — the last of which is SSI’s most flexible feature.

Examples 11–13: System Integration

The System Integration guide covers the built-in data sources: datetime tokens for build timestamps, Git metadata, and environment variables. It also covers non-HTML template processing and incremental builds with preserve lists.

Production Sites

The Building Production Sites guide covers the full-site example and production patterns: asset checksums, build information footers, component libraries, CI/CD integration, and deployment checklists.