Editing your site

Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

Optimize your workflow with VS Code. Recommended extensions for Hugo syntax highlighting, Front Matter management, and grammar checking.

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is the recommended editor for Ownable. While you can edit raw files directly, we recommend installing Ownable CMS to configure your site visually.

✨ Ownable CMS

No YAML required!

The Studio extension provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for your configuration files. Change themes, update your bio, and toggle features using simple forms instead of editing complex YAML.

  1. Install the Extension

    Search for "Ownable" in the Extensions marketplace or click below:

    Install Ownable CMS →

  2. Open the Configurator

    Click the Ownable icon (H) in the Activity Bar (left sidebar).

  3. Edit Visually

    Select a section like Appearance or Identity to start customizing. Changes are auto-saved!

⚡️ Power User Workflow

Prefer raw code? VS Code is fantastic for that too — but pair it with Hugo IntelliSense first. Out of the box VS Code treats .md and .yaml as plain text; Hugo IntelliSense is what gives you the autocomplete, inline validation, and Go-to-Definition that make raw editing actually pleasant.

Install Hugo IntelliSense

The free, open-source Hugo IntelliSense extension reads your archetypes, theme defaults, and HugoBlox block definitions to autocomplete frontmatter fields, flag invalid keys inline, fold sections, and jump to definitions. Works with any Hugo site; HugoBlox sites get block-schema awareness on top.

  1. Install Hugo IntelliSense: Get it from the marketplace →. This is the single change that makes raw editing in VS Code worth doing.
  2. Split View: Open params.yaml on the left and your live preview on the right.
  3. Terminal: Run hugo server in the integrated terminal (Ctrl + ~) to see build logs in real-time.

Hugo IntelliSense

Free VS Code extension — autocomplete, validation, and navigation for raw Hugo editing.

Learn more about Ownable CMS

Deep dive into all the visual configuration features.

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Migrate to Ownable CMS

Guide for migrating from the beta Ownable CMS to the stable Ownable CMS VS Code extension.

Obsidian: Markdown Knowledge Base

Manage your Ownable content with Obsidian. Use it as a powerful local CMS for writing, editing, and linking your Markdown files.

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✨ Ownable CMS⚡️ Power User Workflow