Notes for a Plain Web

A hand-built site does not need to look old-fashioned. It only needs to feel intentional.

A practical checklist

• Use semantic HTML before you reach for abstractions.
• Make the default path easy: a new post should be one file, not a ceremony.
• Keep URLs stable so older links do not rot.
• Let special pages be special without forcing every page into the same mold.

Why MDX is enough most of the time

For ordinary posts, MDX gives you a useful middle ground. You write mostly content, but you can still drop in a component later if there is a real reason.

The best publishing flow is the one that keeps you from negotiating with your tooling.

When a page wants a custom rhythm or bespoke sections, that is the moment to reach for a dedicated .astro route instead.