10 Tips to Master Silex Desktop Workflow

Silex Desktop: Quick Start Guide for Beginners

What is Silex Desktop?

Silex Desktop is a lightweight, open-source WYSIWYG website editor that runs locally on your computer. It lets you build static websites visually (drag-and-drop) without needing to write HTML or run a web server, then export or publish the files to your hosting provider.

System requirements and installation

• Supported OS: Windows, macOS, Linux.
• Basic requirements: modern CPU, 200 MB free disk, and a recent OS build.

Installation steps:

1. Download the latest Silex Desktop installer for your OS from the official releases page.
2. Run the installer and follow prompts (macOS: drag app to Applications; Windows: run .exe; Linux: use provided AppImage or package).
3. Open Silex Desktop — the first launch may ask for permission to access files.

Creating your first site

1. Start a new project: File → New.
2. Choose a blank page or a starter template. Templates provide pre-built layouts and styles to speed up development.
3. Save your project early: File → Save As, then pick a folder. Silex stores editable project files alongside exported HTML assets.

Interface overview

• Canvas: central area where you visually place elements.
• Left sidebar: tools and elements (text, image, containers, buttons).
• Right sidebar: properties panel (positioning, size, style, links).
• Top bar: file/project controls, preview, publish/export buttons.
• Grid & rulers: enable from View to align elements precisely.

Adding and editing content

• Drag elements from the toolbar onto the canvas.
• Double-click text to edit inline; use the properties panel to change font, size, color.
• Replace images by selecting an image element and choosing Replace → Local file or URL.
• Group elements in containers to move or style them together.

Layout and responsiveness

• Use containers and columns to build flexible layouts.
• Set element widths with percentage values for responsiveness.
• Use the built-in breakpoints (or add custom CSS) to adjust styles for mobile and tablet sizes.
• Preview responsive behavior via the Preview mode and by resizing the canvas.

Styling and CSS basics

• Use the properties panel for common styling: background, borders, padding, margins.
• For advanced styles, add custom CSS in the page settings or attach a stylesheet file.
• Keep styles reusable by copying styles between elements or creating class-like patterns (reuse styles manually).

Links, navigation, and assets

• Create navigation by adding buttons or text links and linking to pages within the project or external URLs.
• Manage assets (images, fonts) from the project folder to ensure exported pages reference local files correctly.
• Test all links in Preview mode before exporting.

Previewing and testing

• Use Preview to open a local preview in your default browser; this simulates how the site will behave after export.
• Test across devices and browsers to catch layout or compatibility issues.
• Validate images are optimized for web (compress large images before adding).

Exporting and publishing

• Export to static HTML: File → Export → Export to folder. This generates HTML, CSS, JS, and asset folders you can upload.
• Publish options vary by version — some installers include direct publish integrations; otherwise upload exported files via FTP, SFTP, or your hosting provider’s file manager.

Common beginner mistakes and fixes

• Broken image paths after export: ensure images are saved inside the project folder and referenced relatively.
• Overlapping elements: use containers and set clear