Astro Tips and Best Practices

Here are some essential tips to help you build better Astro applications.

Performance Optimization

Use Content Collections

Content Collections provide type safety and better performance than traditional markdown imports. They’re also easier to work with.

Minimize Client-Side JavaScript

Astro’s power comes from shipping minimal JavaScript. Use client directives (client:load, client:idle) sparingly and only when needed.

Optimize Images

Use Astro’s built-in <Image /> component for automatic image optimization, or integrate with services like Cloudinary.

Component Patterns

Keep Components Focused

Each component should have a single responsibility. Break complex components into smaller, reusable pieces.

Use Slots for Flexibility

Astro’s slot system allows you to create flexible, composable components. Use named slots for more complex layouts.

Leverage Props

Type your props with TypeScript interfaces for better developer experience and type safety.

Content Management

Schema Validation

Always define schemas for your content collections. This catches errors early and provides better autocomplete.

Organize Content

Keep your content organized in logical folders. Use consistent naming conventions for easier navigation.

Development Workflow

Use TypeScript

TypeScript provides better autocomplete, error checking, and refactoring capabilities. Astro has excellent TypeScript support.

Leverage Astro’s Dev Server

The dev server is fast and provides hot module replacement. Use it to iterate quickly.

Test Your Builds

Regularly run npm run build to catch build-time errors before deploying.