Building a Blog with Static MDX Files

Why Go Static?

Static site generation with MDX files offers several advantages over database-driven content:

• Performance: No database queries needed at runtime
• Version Control: Content lives alongside your code in git
• Simplicity: Easy to backup, migrate, and manage
• Developer Experience: Write in your favorite editor with full IDE support

The Migration Approach

Converting from Supabase/Prisma to static MDX involves three main steps:

1. Create the Content Structure

Organize your blog posts in a content/blog directory. You can use subdirectories for categorization:

content/
  blog/
    post-1.mdx
    post-2.mdx
    tutorials/
      tutorial-1.mdx

2. Update Data Loading Functions

Replace database queries with file system reads and MDX parsing. Use libraries like:

• gray-matter for frontmatter parsing
• unified for markdown rendering
• Next.js unstable_cache for performance

3. Maintain the Same Interface

Keep your existing components and page structure. The change is transparent to users.

Benefits Realized

After migration, you'll enjoy:

• Faster build times
• No database dependencies
• Easier content collaboration via pull requests
• Better offline development experience