When I set out to build this blog, I wanted a framework that respects the nature of content. Most blog pages are static — they don’t need client-side JavaScript bundles, hydration waterfalls, or complex state management.
Why Astro?
Astro was designed with a content-first philosophy. Here’s what makes it stand out:
- Zero JS by default — Pages ship as pure HTML and CSS unless you explicitly add interactivity
- Content collections — First-class support for markdown with type-safe schemas
- Island architecture — When you do need JavaScript, you can hydrate individual components without loading a full framework
- Fast builds — Static site generation is incredibly quick
The content layer
One of the best features in Astro 5 is the Content Layer API. It lets you define schemas for your content using Zod, which means you get:
- Type-safe frontmatter with autocompletion in your editor
- Validation at build time — catch missing fields before they go live
- A clean API for querying and rendering your content
The result
The site you’re reading right now loads fast, scores well on performance benchmarks, and is easy to maintain. That’s exactly what I wanted.
Sometimes the best technology is the one that gets out of your way and lets you focus on what matters: the content.
smallpods
Writing about technology, creativity, and the small ideas that grow into something meaningful.
