Test GH-based deployment workflow

[amandavisconti]

Current plan:

1. Test out GH Pages + Actions for site build/deployment (to replace current UVA server and deployment code)*
2. Test if redirects (may need Jekyll redirect plugin) satisfy our redirect needs AND work with GH Pages plugin limits, GH actions
3. Temporarily remove search from site (to explore/readd in fall after other retheming work done)
4. Point domain at GH Pages-hosted site
5. Make repo private
6. Explore regaining Netlify-like preview via free action: https://github.com/rossjrw/pr-preview-action

• Amanda started testing out actions deployment on new repo 7/2 (https://github.com/scholarslab/deploydog); see also my research here below

Background work (completed!):

• ~Assess if prohibited plugins necessary to site~ Done; the plugins we use are allowed by GHP
• ~JB wrote Bob 6/13 to doublecheck pointing domain at GHP server allowed;~ Bob said it's fine!
• ~6/13 wrote BW, JB, SL for feedback by 6/30~ BW wrote back approving, no reply from Jeremy or Shane by deadline so moving ahead

Pros:

• Easy to make repo private (#985 )
• No more relying on Shane's time to troubleshoot webhook
• Not relying on UVA nor AWS servers
• All dev staff can reliably update the site on their own when needed

Cons:

• Requires us to change how search is implemented (remove, or switch to dev folks remember to rebuild locally & commit monthly, or figure out GH actions providing)

[amandavisconti]

GHP & GHA testing:

• Need to doublecheck GHP already building site rather than deploying _site built locally only
• Check redirect plugin satisfies our needs, works with GH Pages and actions
• Compare options for build preview
• Find out who/how domain switch happens, so can do this quickly if/when we are ready to switch

Build preview research:

• Noting GH has its own version of build preview in development, but currently only in closed alpha testing https://github.com/actions/deploy-pages/issues/337
• https://github.com/rossjrw/pr-preview-action
• https://github.com/actions/starter-workflows/blob/main/pages/jekyll-gh-pages.yml
• https://github.com/orgs/community/discussions/7730
• https://github.com/marketplace/actions/github-pages-action
• https://github.com/marketplace/actions/deploy-to-github-pages

[amandavisconti]

Testing if GH Pages updates site build successfully, without Action setup, for

1. Change to text (via browser index, no local build) = YES
2. Change to theme
3. Change to data