Start Bootstrap Resume is a free, open-source resume and CV theme built on Bootstrap, created by Start Bootstrap, that pairs a fixed sidebar with scrollable content sections for presenting professional experience.
What is Start Bootstrap Resume?
Start Bootstrap Resume is a static HTML resume and CV theme maintained by Start Bootstrap, based on the Bootstrap framework. The theme takes plain HTML, SCSS, and Pug source files and compiles them into a ready-to-deploy dist directory containing the final index.html, CSS, and JavaScript. It is one of many free themes offered by Start Bootstrap, with an MIT license that permits personal and commercial use.
Key Features
- Fixed sidebar layout — A persistent side navigation stays visible while the main content scrolls, creating a two-column resume structure with the profile on the left and details on the right.
- Pre-built content sections — The single-page layout includes ready-made sections for about, experience, education, skills, interests, and awards, each with class-based hooks for easy customization.
- Responsive Bootstrap design — Built on the Bootstrap grid, the page reflows from the sidebar layout on desktop to a stacked layout on smaller screens.
- SCSS source files — Styling is written in SCSS in the
src/scssfolder, so you can adjust variables, colors, and spacing before compiling. - Pug templating — HTML is generated from Pug templates in
src/pug, which keeps markup modular and reduces duplication. - npm build pipeline — Eight npm scripts compile assets, Pug, JavaScript, and SCSS into the
distfolder, andnpm startruns a live-reload development server. - MIT licensed — The template is free to use for any purpose, including commercial projects, with no attribution required.
Who is it for?
- Job seekers — Create a personal resume or CV page that can be hosted on GitHub Pages or a personal domain and shared with recruiters.
- Developers and designers — Use the source files to learn Bootstrap, SCSS, and Pug workflows while customizing a real-world template.
- Students and recent graduates — Present education, internships, skills, and projects in a structured, interview-ready format.
What can you do with it?
- Freelancers — Build a portfolio-style resume that links to work samples and client testimonials in the interests or awards sections.
- Developers — Extend the template with additional Bootstrap sections or integrate it into a static site generator for a personal career page.
- Career changers — Highlight transferable skills and certifications by customizing the skills and education sections.
How does the template work?
After downloading, you can directly edit the compiled HTML and CSS files inside the dist directory and open index.html in a browser to preview changes. For the full developer workflow, clone the repository, run npm install, then npm start to launch a live server, watch source files, and auto-reload on save. The package.json file defines script names like npm run build to produce the final dist output.
Pricing
Start Bootstrap Resume is free and open-source. It is released under the MIT license, meaning you can use it for personal or commercial projects without paying a license fee.
FAQ
Is Start Bootstrap Resume free?
Yes, the template is completely free. It is released under the MIT license, which also permits commercial use without restrictions.
What software do I need to run the advanced build?
The advanced workflow requires Node.js and npm, because the included npm scripts are responsible for compiling SCSS, Pug, and JavaScript.
Can I use this theme for a commercial project?
Yes, the MIT license explicitly allows commercial usage. You can modify and redistribute the theme as long as you keep the license notice.
Do I need to know Bootstrap to use it?
Basic usage only requires editing HTML and CSS in the dist folder. To take advantage of the SCSS and Pug build pipeline, some familiarity with Bootstrap and front-end tooling helps.
Where can I get support?
Bugs and issues can be reported on the GitHub repository's issues page at https://github.com/StartBootstrap/startbootstrap-resume/issues, or via the theme overview page on Start Bootstrap.
