Astro.js is a powerful static site builder that helps developers build fast, optimized websites using modern web technologies. Whether you’re building a blog, portfolio, or a complex app, Astro provides an easy way to create performance-driven websites without the overhead of client-side JavaScript.
In this post, we’ll cover the following topics:
- What is Astro.js?
- Key features
- Setting up a new Astro project
- Astro project structure
- Integrating components like React, Vue, and Svelte
- Optimizing your Astro site for SEO and performance
- Useful resources
What is Astro.js?
Astro.js is a modern static site generator focused on building lightweight, fast, and SEO-friendly websites. Astro differs from traditional frameworks because it sends less JavaScript to the browser. Astro can also integrate with other front-end frameworks like React, Vue, and Svelte.
Here’s a brief overview of why Astro is gaining popularity:
- Zero JS by Default: Only send JavaScript to the browser when needed.
- Component Agnostic: Integrate any framework components such as React, Vue, and Svelte.
- SSG and SSR: Build either static or server-side rendered applications.
- Fast Load Times: Focus on speed and performance.
Key Features of Astro.js
Astro comes with a variety of useful features out of the box. Here are some of the most notable ones:
1. Island Architecture
Astro follows the “Islands Architecture” pattern, where interactive components are loaded only when necessary, minimizing JavaScript load on pages that don’t need it.
2. Markdown & MDX Support
Astro allows you to write content using Markdown and even extend it with MDX, making it ideal for content-heavy websites like blogs.
3. SSR (Server-Side Rendering)
Astro provides options for server-side rendering, allowing for dynamic content generation when needed.
4. Optimized for SEO
Astro automatically generates optimized HTML and lazy-loads assets to ensure your site is fast and SEO-friendly.
Setting Up a New Astro Project
Follow these steps to set up a new Astro project:
- Install Astro:
npm create astro@latest
