This guide will help you install FlexiBlog, set up your tools, and run your blog locally — even if you have zero coding experience.

🧩 1. Install the Required Tools

Before installing the FlexiBlog theme, you need 3 things:

✔ 1.1 Install Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

VS Code is the text editor you will use to open and edit your blog files.

Download it here: 👉 https://code.visualstudio.com/

Install it like any normal application.

Recommended extensions for beginners:

• Prettier — Code Formatter
• ESLint
• GitLens
• Markdown Preview Enhanced

You don’t need to understand coding to use VS Code. Think of it like “Microsoft Word but for websites.”

✔ 1.2 Install Node.js

Download here: 👉 https://nodejs.org

After installation, check if it works:

node -v
npm -v

You should see version numbers.

✔ 1.3 Install Gatsby CLI

Gatsby is the framework used by FlexiBlog.

Install globally:

npm install -g gatsby-cli

🗂️ 2. Unzip the FlexiBlog Theme

1. Download the ZIP file from ThemeForest
2. Unzip it
3. Open your Terminal / Command Prompt
4. Navigate into the extracted folder:

cd @elegantstack

(Your folder name may vary.)

🎨 3. Create a New Gatsby Site Using a FlexiBlog Starter

Each starter is a different design. Choose one you like.

Example: Create a Personal Blog starter

gatsby new site ./starters/gatsby-starter-flexiblog-personal

Other available starters:

Tip: You only need ONE starter. Choose the one closest to the style you want.

⚙️ 4. Open the Project in VS Code

After the starter is created:

cd site

Now open it in VS Code:

code .

VS Code will open the whole blog project.

🚀 5. Run the Development Server

Start the live preview of your site:

npm run develop

Open your browser and visit:

👉 http://localhost:8000

You will now see your blog running!