A calmer way to build a website.

Overview

This example takes inspiration from the restrained typography, generous whitespace, documentation structure, and quiet visual hierarchy found in modern minimalist knowledge bases such as Minimal Documentation.

The design deliberately avoids heavy UI. The page is intended to feel more like a well-organized notebook than a conventional marketing website.

Principles

Good documentation should make the answer easy to find and comfortable to read.

• Reduce noise. Keep the interface simple and predictable.
• Make hierarchy obvious. Headings and spacing should tell the reader where they are.
• Keep navigation nearby. The left sidebar stays available while the reader scrolls.
• Respect the reader. Use readable line lengths, generous spacing, and accessible contrast.

Structure

Every page uses the same three-part desktop layout: navigation on the left, content in the center, and a page index on the right. On smaller screens the sidebars become collapsible or move above the content.

Navigation

The navigation is repeated directly in each HTML page, so the site works without a framework or build system. Add another page by copying the template and adding its entry to search-index.json.

The search box loads that index and searches titles, descriptions, headings, and keywords. This keeps the site fully static and hostable on GitHub Pages, Dropbox web hosting alternatives, or any ordinary web server.

Resources

See the Getting Started page for a typical subpage and examples of headings, lists, notes, and code.