Collections

Collections let you organize structured content in underscore-prefixed folders like _docs or _tutorials. Each collection can control output and permalink patterns.

Configure a collection

collections:
  docs:
    output: true
    permalink: "/:collection/:path/"

Collections can also be declared as a list when you only need defaults:

collections:
  - docs
  - tutorials

With this config, any file under _docs/ is treated as part of the docs collection. For example:

_docs/getting-started.md -> /docs/getting-started/

Collections support nested folders. The :path token includes subdirectories:

_docs/guides/intro.md -> /docs/guides/intro/

Directory front matter with _index.md

Place an _index.md file in a collection directory to apply front matter defaults to everything inside that directory. _index.md files are not rendered.

_docs/_index.md          # Applies to all docs
_docs/guides/_index.md   # Applies to all guides

Output control

If output is false, the items are still available in Liquid, but GenGen will not write them to public/:

collections:
  tutorials:
    output: false

Liquid access

Collections are exposed through site.collections (a list) and a convenience key:

Each collection exposes:

• collection.docs for items with front matter (rendered documents)
• collection.files for items without front matter (static files)

Sorting and ordering

Collections can be sorted automatically or manually:

collections:
  docs:
    output: true
    sort_by: "weight"
    order:
      - "getting-started.md"
      - "guides/intro.md"

• sort_by uses a front matter key when present.
• order lets you pin specific paths; remaining items use default sorting.

Default front matter

Use defaults to apply front matter values to a collection:

defaults:
  - scope:
      type: "docs"
    values:
      layout: "doc"

Defaults apply before front matter so individual files can override them.