Astro 4.0 Introduces Content Layer API for Flexible Data Sources

Last updated on May 24, 2024

Astro has released version 4.0 with the new Content Layer API, enabling developers to source content from anywhere while maintaining type safety and excellent developer experience.

Universal Content Layer

The Content Layer API provides a unified interface for loading content from any source:

Local markdown and MDX files
Headless CMS platforms
APIs and databases
Git repositories
Custom data sources

Type-Safe Content Collections

Content from any source is automatically typed with full TypeScript support, providing autocomplete and type checking throughout your project.

Incremental Builds

The new system enables incremental builds by tracking content changes across sources, resulting in faster build times for large sites.

Built-in Caching

Astro now includes intelligent caching for external content sources, reducing API calls during development and speeding up builds.

Enhanced Image Optimization

The image optimization pipeline has been improved with better format detection, automatic responsive image generation, and CDN integration.

Dev Toolbar Updates

The development toolbar now includes content source debugging tools, showing where each piece of content originated and how it's being processed.