Astro Implementation Guide - Master Index

Done

Quick Start

This guide provides a structured approach to building high-performance Astro sites with two implementation tracks:

• MVP Track: Fast, focused delivery with essential features
• Showcase Track: Advanced implementation demonstrating technical excellence

Phase Dependency Map

graph TD
    P0[Phase 0: Foundation] --> P1[Phase 1: Content Architecture]
    P1 --> P2[Phase 2: Design System]
    P2 --> P3[Phase 3: Tooling]
    P3 --> P4[Phase 4: Skeleton]
    P4 --> P5[Phase 5: Components]
    P5 --> P6[Phase 6: Sections]
    P6 --> P7[Phase 7: Content]
    P7 --> P8[Phase 8: QA]
    P8 --> P9[Phase 9: Performance]
    P9 --> P10[Phase 10: Deployment]
    P10 --> P11[Phase 11: Documentation]
    P11 --> P12[Phase 12: Post-Launch]

    style P0 fill:#ff9999
    style P1 fill:#ff9999
    style P2 fill:#ff9999
    style P3 fill:#ff9999

Legend: 🔴 Foundation (Immutable) | 🟡 Structure | 🟢 Implementation | 🔵 Quality | ⚫ Deployment

Implementation Tracks

MVP Track

• Goal: Ship a performant, accessible site as quickly as possible
• Focus: Content presentation, zero JavaScript, essential features
• Best For: Portfolios, blogs, marketing sites

Showcase Track

• Goal: Demonstrate advanced technical capabilities
• Focus: Component architecture, testing, advanced patterns
• Best For: Technical portfolios, team projects, enterprise sites

See detailed track comparison →

Phase Overview

✅ Completed Phases

Phase	Name	MVP	Showcase	Status
0	Foundation	Full	Full	✅ Complete
1	Content Architecture	Full	Full	✅ Complete
2	Design System	Full	Full	✅ Complete
3	Tooling	Full	Full	✅ Complete
4	Skeleton	Full	Full	✅ Complete

🚧 Active Development Phases

Phase	Name	MVP	Showcase	Effort	Critical Path
5	Components	Lite	Full	2-4 days	⚡
6	Sections	Lite	Full	2-3 days	⚡
7	Content	Full	Full	3-5 days	📝
8	QA	Lite	Full	1-3 days	✓
9	Performance	Full	Full	1-2 days	✓
10	Deployment	Full	Full	1 day	🚀
11	Documentation	Lite	Full	1-2 days	📚
12	Post-Launch	Lite	Full	1 day	🎯

Getting Started

1. Choose Your Track: Review track comparison
2. Review Tech Stack: Check technology choices
3. Understand Budgets: Study performance targets
4. Set Up Structure: Follow directory layout
5. Begin Phase 0: Start with foundation decisions

Additional Resources

📖 Topic Guides

• Accessibility Guide - WCAG AA compliance patterns
• Components Guide - Component architecture best practices
• Content Model Guide - Content Collections patterns
• Image Optimization Guide - Performance-first image strategies
• Testing Strategy Guide - QA and testing approaches
• Rollback Strategies Guide - Deployment safety patterns

💻 Code Examples

Each active phase includes practical code examples:

• Phase 5 Examples - Component implementations
• Phase 6 Examples - Section layouts
• Phase 7 Examples - Content patterns
• Phase 8 Examples - QA testing code
• Phase 9 Examples - Performance optimizations
• Phase 10 Examples - Deployment configurations
• Phase 12 Examples - Post-launch monitoring

📚 Reference Documentation

• Tech Stack - Complete technology overview
• Directory Structure - Project organization
• Budgets & Guardrails - Performance targets
• Optional Analytics - Tracking implementation
• Table Format Guide - Documentation standards

Common Patterns

• Islands Architecture - When to add interactivity
• Content Collections - Advanced content patterns
• Performance Patterns - Optimization techniques
• Component Patterns - Reusable UI patterns

Quick Decision Matrix

Need	MVP Choice	Showcase Choice
Interactivity	Static HTML + CSS	Islands where justified
Testing	Manual checklist	Playwright + Visual
Components	Essential only	Full library + Astrobook
Documentation	README + basics	Comprehensive guides
Monitoring	Basic uptime	RUM + Error tracking

Support & Updates

• Changelog: CHANGELOG.md
• Issues: Create an issue in your project repo
• Updates: Check monthly for Astro updates
• Community: Astro Discord