Unable to Render Mermaid Diagrams using Jekyll Spaceship? We’ve Got You Covered!

If you’re struggling to get Mermaid diagrams to render on your Jekyll spaceship site, you’re not alone! In this article, we’ll dive into the most common issues and provide step-by-step solutions to get you back on track.

What are Mermaid Diagrams?

Before we dive into the troubleshooting, let’s quickly cover what Mermaid diagrams are and why they’re so awesome. Mermaid is a popular diagramming tool that allows you to create flowcharts, sequence diagrams, Gantt charts, and more using simple Markdown syntax. It’s a great way to visualize complex information and make it easy to understand.

Why Use Mermaid with Jekyll Spaceship?

Jekyll Spaceship is a popular Jekyll theme that provides a sleek and modern design for your blog or website. Mermaid diagrams integrate seamlessly with Spaceship, allowing you to create stunning visualizations that enhance your content. The combination of Mermaid and Spaceship makes it easy to create informative and engaging articles, tutorials, and guides.

Troubleshooting Mermaid Diagrams with Jekyll Spaceship

Now, let’s get to the good stuff! If you’re unable to render Mermaid diagrams using Jekyll Spaceship, here are some common issues and their solutions:

Issue 1: Mermaid Syntax Errors

If your Mermaid diagrams aren’t rendering, the first thing to check is the syntax. Mermaid has a specific syntax that must be followed for diagrams to render correctly. Here’s an example of a simple Mermaid flowchart:

```mermaid
graph LR
    A[Start] --> B[Process]
    B --> C[End]
```

Notice the triple backticks ““ that enclose the Mermaid code. This is important, as it tells Jekyll to render the code as a Mermaid diagram. Make sure you’ve got the syntax correct, including the triple backticks.

Issue 2: Missing Mermaid Configuration

In your Jekyll config file (`_config.yml`), you need to specify the Mermaid configuration. Add the following code to your config file:

mermaid:
  version: "8.13.6"
  enable: true

This tells Jekyll to use the specified Mermaid version and enable it for rendering.

Issue 3: Incompatible Jekyll Version

Mermaid requires Jekyll version 3.8 or higher to work correctly. If you’re using an earlier version of Jekyll, you’ll need to upgrade to a compatible version. You can check your Jekyll version by running `jekyll –version` in your terminal.

Issue 4: Missing dependencies

Mermaid relies on some dependencies to function correctly. Make sure you’ve installed the following dependencies in your Gemfile:

gem 'jekyll-mermaid'
gem 'mermaid-ruby'

Then, run `bundle install` to install the dependencies.

Issue 5: Rendering Issues with Liquid Tags

Sometimes, Liquid tags can interfere with Mermaid rendering. If you’re using Liquid tags in your Markdown file, try removing them or wrapping your Mermaid code in a `raw` Liquid tag:

{% raw %}
```mermaid
graph LR
    A[Start] --> B[Process]
    B --> C[End]
```
{% endraw %}

This tells Liquid to render the code as raw HTML, bypassing any interference.

Best Practices for Using Mermaid with Jekyll Spaceship

Now that we’ve covered the most common issues, here are some best practices to keep in mind when using Mermaid with Jekyll Spaceship:

• Use the latest versions: Make sure you’re using the latest versions of Jekyll, Mermaid, and Jekyll Spaceship to ensure compatibility and bug fixes.
• Test your diagrams: Before publishing your article, test your Mermaid diagrams to ensure they render correctly.
• Keep your code clean: Keep your Mermaid code organized and clean to avoid syntax errors and rendering issues.
• Use a consistent syntax: Use a consistent syntax throughout your article to ensure that all diagrams render correctly.

Conclusion

If you’ve been struggling to get Mermaid diagrams to render using Jekyll Spaceship, we hope this article has helped you troubleshoot the issue and get back on track. Remember to follow best practices, test your diagrams, and keep your code clean to ensure that your Mermaid diagrams render correctly and enhance your content.

Happy diagramming!

Issue	Solution
Syntax Errors	Check syntax and ensure triple backticks are used
Missing Mermaid Configuration	Add Mermaid configuration to `_config.yml` file
Incompatible Jekyll Version	Upgrade to Jekyll version 3.8 or higher
Missing dependencies	Install required dependencies in Gemfile
Rendering Issues with Liquid Tags	Wrap Mermaid code in a `raw` Liquid tag

Further Reading

If you’re new to Mermaid or Jekyll Spaceship, here are some resources to help you get started:

1. Mermaid Documentation
2. Jekyll Spaceship Documentation
3. Jekyll Configuration Documentation

We hope this article has been helpful in troubleshooting Mermaid diagrams with Jekyll Spaceship. If you have any further questions or issues, feel free to ask in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Question

Are you stuck in the galaxy of Jekyll Spaceship, trying to render mermaid diagrams but failing miserably? Worry not, space traveler! We’ve got you covered with these frequently asked questions.