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Guide · Open source

How to use docsify: set up a Markdown docs site

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Docsify is an open-source JavaScript tool that turns one or more Markdown files into a documentation website. Unlike many generators, it renders pages in the browser as visitors open them, so you do not need a build step that produces static HTML. This guide explains what docsify does, how to get started with the template and static hosting options the project describes, and where it fits best.

docsifydocsifyjs/docsify · ★ 31.6k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Choose a starting point. Open the Docsify Template or the quick start tutorial linked in the README.
  2. 2Get the source if needed. Run the clone command from the README to copy the repository locally.
  3. 3Write your Markdown. Create one or more plain Markdown files for your documentation.
  4. 4Serve the files. Place the site on a static web server or in a GitHub Pages site.
  5. 5Use search and themes. Enable the full-text search plugin and choose from the available themes.
  6. 6Publish and share. Open the site in a browser to check that pages render as expected.

What docsify does and how it works

Docsify takes one or more Markdown files and serves them as a documentation website. The site is built on the fly in the browser as people visit it, rather than generating static HTML files ahead of time.

You write plain Markdown and host the files on a static web server or GitHub Pages. The project's README describes it as having no build process required.

  • No statically built HTML files
  • Simple and lightweight
  • Smart full-text search plugin
  • Multiple themes
  • Useful plugin API
  • Emoji support

Start from the docsify template or quick start

The README points to a ready-to-use Docsify Template for getting going fast with a static web server or GitHub Pages. The official quick start tutorial is on the documentation site at docsify.js.org.

You can also try a CodeSandbox example site from the README before setting anything up on your own machine.

  • Docsify Template: github.com/docsifyjs/docsify-template
  • Quick start tutorial: docsify.js.org/#/quickstart
  • CodeSandbox example: sandbox.docsifyjs.org

Get the source code

The README lists a clone command for the repository. This gets a local copy of the project source, which you can browse or use as a reference while you learn how it is organised.

The README does not describe a separate installation step for end users beyond the template and static hosting options above.

git clone https://github.com/docsifyjs/docsify.git

Publish on a static server or GitHub Pages

Because docsify runs in the browser, the finished site is a set of files that any static web server can serve. The README names GitHub Pages as a hosting option for this, which suits teams that want docs without a build pipeline.

The README also lists CDN links for UNPKG, jsDelivr and cdnjs, which are useful references when you load docsify from a CDN.

  • Use a static web server or GitHub Pages to host your Markdown site
  • Use the docsify CLI, linked in the README, as a command line companion
  • Browse community showcase sites in the awesome-docsify list

Know when docsify is not the right fit

Docsify does not produce pre-rendered static HTML, so it may be a poor choice for SEO-heavy sites that depend on it. The README also describes it only as a documentation site generator, so it is not presented as a tool for blogs or marketing sites with complex layouts.

The README does not describe a server-side rendering setup.

  • Pick docsify for project documentation and README-style guides built from Markdown
  • Consider other tools for pre-rendered HTML needs, blogs, or marketing pages

What people use it for

  • Documentation for an open-source project built from existing Markdown files
  • A README-style guide hosted on GitHub Pages without a build pipeline
  • A docs site with built-in full-text search and a choice of themes

Frequently asked questions

Is docsify free to use?

Yes. The README lists the licence as MIT and links to the LICENSE file in the repository. Check that file for the full terms.

What do I need to install docsify?

The source lists no prerequisites. It points to a Docsify Template and a quick start tutorial, and describes docsify as a web app that serves Markdown with no build process required.

Does docsify need a build step?

No. The README says docsify turns Markdown files into a website with no build process required, and it does not produce statically built HTML files.

Can I host docsify on GitHub Pages?

The README names GitHub Pages as a way to host a docsify site, alongside a static web server. Use the linked Docsify Template to start.

Is docsify good for SEO?

The README stresses that docsify has no statically built HTML files, so it is not a fit for SEO-heavy sites that need pre-rendered pages. Consider another tool if search ranking depends on static HTML.

How does docsify compare to MkDocs, Docusaurus, VitePress or Hugo?

These are comparable projects. The source does not compare them in detail, so review each project's documentation to decide which fits your needs.

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Our verdict

Docsify suits maintainers and teams who want a documentation site from plain Markdown files, hosted on GitHub Pages or a static server, with built-in search and themes. It is less suitable if you need pre-rendered HTML for SEO, a blog or marketing site with complex layouts, or server-side rendering, where a tool such as MkDocs, Docusaurus, VitePress or Hugo may be a better choice.

Install options & downloads