Stellar Jekyll Theme is a Jekyll port of the HTML5 UP "Stellar" template, converting the original single-page design into a static site generator theme. It runs on Jekyll and produces a one-page website with a vibrant color palette, a sticky in-page navigation bar, and a separate generic page template. The theme is maintained as an open-source repository on GitHub and GitLab, with the original design credited to AJ (ajlkn) at HTML5 UP.
What is Stellar Jekyll Theme?
Stellar Jekyll Theme is a Jekyll conversion of the "Stellar" template by HTML5 UP, built to run on any Jekyll site. It produces a one-page website with a vibrant color palette, a sticky in-page navigation bar, and a separate generic page template. The theme runs on Jekyll (Ruby) and is distributed via GitHub and GitLab repositories, with source credit to AJ (ajlkn) of HTML5 UP.
Key Features
- One-page layout — The theme centers on a single-page design with smooth-scrolling sticky navigation powered by the Scrollex jQuery plugin.
- Separate generic page template — Beyond the landing page, it includes a dedicated generic page template for secondary content like about or legal pages.
- Pre-styled elements — Buttons, forms, tables, icons, and other UI components come pre-styled using Font Awesome icons and custom CSS.
- Jekyll integration — Site-wide settings live in
_config.yml; posts and pages use standard Jekyll front matter. - Responsive base — Uses the Skel framework for responsive layout, plus Respond.js and CSS3 Pie for older browser support.
- Demo imagery from Unsplash — The original demo images are CC0 public domain photos from Unsplash, though they are not bundled with the repository.
- Free license — Released under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CCA 3.0) license, allowing personal and commercial use.
Who is it for?
Stellar Jekyll Theme suits developers and designers who use Jekyll and want a fast, minimal one-page site without building from scratch. It's ideal for personal portfolio sites, product landing pages, or small business single-page sites. Because it's a Jekyll port, it also appeals to users already comfortable with Jekyll's config and front matter workflow.
What can you do with Stellar Jekyll Theme?
- Portfolio owners: Showcase projects and skills on a single scrolling page with a sticky nav and pre-styled project sections.
- Startups and indie makers: Stand up a clean landing page for a new product, replacing the default Unsplash demo images with their own.
- Jekyll beginners: Learn how a static site generator works by forking the repo and editing
_config.ymlto see changes instantly. - Agency and consultant sites: Use the separate generic page template to add an about or contact page alongside the main one-pager.
How does Stellar Jekyll Theme work?
To use it, fork the repository. On GitLab, you can start editing _config.yml immediately; on GitHub, create a branch named gh-pages before editing. After you change _config.yml and add your own content, Jekyll builds a static site you can host on GitHub Pages or any Jekyll-compatible host.
FAQ
Is Stellar Jekyll Theme free?
Yes. The theme is free for personal and commercial use under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license, the same license used by HTML5 UP themes.
What do I need to run Stellar Jekyll Theme?
You need a Jekyll environment (Ruby and the Jekyll gem) to build the site locally, or you can push the repository to GitHub and use GitHub Pages, which runs Jekyll automatically.
Does the theme include the Unsplash demo images?
No. The demo images are from Unsplash and are not included in the repository. You'll need to supply your own images, which is typical for HTML5 UP theme ports.
Can I use Stellar Jekyll Theme for a commercial project?
Yes, the CCA 3.0 license permits commercial use. You must keep the attribution to HTML5 UP and AJ in your project.
