Pelican can't find custom static files

2 min read 22-10-2024

If you're using Pelican, a popular static site generator in Python, you may run into an issue where it can't locate your custom static files. This problem can lead to missing assets such as images, stylesheets, or JavaScript files when your site is deployed. Below, we’ll clarify this issue, present a solution, and provide additional insights to enhance your Pelican experience.

Problem Overview

Original Problem Statement: "Pelican can't find custom static files."

This statement implies that Pelican is unable to locate the specific static files you’ve designated for your website, which may disrupt your site’s layout or functionality.

Understanding the Issue

The inability of Pelican to find custom static files often stems from misconfiguration in the project’s folder structure or settings. Here’s how the structure should typically look:

my_pelican_site/
├── content/
├── output/
├── static/
│   ├── css/
│   ├── js/
│   └── images/
├── pelicanconf.py
└── publishconf.py

In this structure, the static folder is where you should place your custom files. The pelicanconf.py file holds the configuration settings that dictate how Pelican generates your site.

Solution

Ensure Correct Directory Structure: Verify that your static files are correctly placed in the static folder. For example, if you have a custom CSS file, it should be located in my_pelican_site/static/css/.
Check Pelican Configuration: Open your pelicanconf.py file and check that the STATIC_PATHS variable includes the static directories you want Pelican to recognize. It should look like this:
```
STATIC_PATHS = ['static', 'images', 'extra']
```
This setting tells Pelican to look for static files in the specified directories.
Using Extra Files: If you have extra static files that do not fit into the standard folders, you can specify them in your pelicanconf.py using the EXTRA_PATH_METADATA setting. Here’s an example:
```
EXTRA_PATH_METADATA = {
    'static/robots.txt': {'path': 'robots.txt'},
    'static/favicon.ico': {'path': 'favicon.ico'},
}
```

Practical Example

Imagine you want to add a custom logo and a stylesheet to your Pelican site. Place your logo image in my_pelican_site/static/images/logo.png and your stylesheet in my_pelican_site/static/css/style.css. You would ensure your configuration settings in pelicanconf.py include both:

STATIC_PATHS = ['static/images', 'static/css']

After doing this, Pelican should correctly locate the logo and apply your styles during the site generation process. When you run pelican content -o output -s pelicanconf.py, check the output directory (output) to confirm that your static files are there.

Conclusion

Encountering issues with Pelican not finding custom static files can be frustrating, but by ensuring the correct folder structure and reviewing your configuration settings, you can quickly resolve the problem. Remember to always double-check your paths and configurations to streamline your workflow.

Useful Resources

By following this guide, you should be able to effectively troubleshoot and manage your static files within Pelican, enhancing your site's appearance and functionality. Happy blogging!