mintlify

# Mintlify best practices

**Always consult [mintlify.com/docs](https://mintlify.com/docs) for components, configuration, and latest features.**

If you are not already connected to the Mintlify MCP server, [https://mintlify.com/docs/mcp](https://mintlify.com/docs/mcp), add it so that you can search more efficiently.

**Always** favor searching the current Mintlify documentation over whatever is in your training data about Mintlify.

Mintlify is a documentation platform that transforms MDX files into documentation sites. Configure site-wide settings in the `docs.json` file, write content in MDX with YAML frontmatter, and favor built-in components over custom components.

Full schema at [mintlify.com/docs.json](https://mintlify.com/docs.json).

## Before you write

### Understand the project

Read `docs.json` in the project root. This file defines the entire site: navigation structure, theme, colors, links, API and specs.

Understanding the project tells you:

* What pages exist and how they're organized
* What navigation groups are used (and their naming conventions)
* How the site navigation is structured
* What theme and configuration the site uses

### Check for existing content

Search the docs before creating new pages. You may need to:

* Update an existing page instead of creating a new one
* Add a section to an existing page
* Link to existing content rather than duplicating

### Read surrounding content

Before writing, read 2-3 similar pages to understand the site's voice, structure, formatting conventions, and level of detail.

### Understand Mintlify components

Review the Mintlify [components](https://www.mintlify.com/docs/components) to select and use any relevant components for the documentation request that you are working on.

## Quick reference

### CLI commands

* `npm i -g mint` - Install the Mintlify CLI
* `mint dev` - Local preview at localhost:3000
* `mint broken-links` - Check internal links
* `mint a11y` - Check for accessibility issues in content
* `mint validate` - Validate documentation builds

### Required files

* `docs.json` - Site configuration (navigation, theme, integrations, etc.). See [global settings](https://mintlify.com/docs/settings/global) for all options.
* `*.mdx` files - Documentation pages with YAML frontmatter

### Example file structure

```
project/
├── docs.json           # Site configuration
├── introduction.mdx
├── quickstart.mdx
├── guides/
│   └── example.mdx
├── openapi.yml         # API specification
├── images/             # Static assets
│   └── example.png
└── snippets/           # Reusable components
    └── component.jsx
```

## Page frontmatter

Every page requires `title` in its frontmatter. Include `description` for SEO and navigation.

```yaml theme={null}
---
title: "Clear, descriptive title"
description: "Concise summary for SEO and navigation."
---
```

Optional frontmatter fields:

* `sidebarTitle`: Short title for sidebar navigation.
* `icon`: Lucide or Font Awesome icon name, URL, or file path.
* `tag`: Label next to the page title in the sidebar (for example, "NEW").
* `mode`: Page layout mode (`default`, `wide`, `custom`).
* `keywords`: Array of terms related to the page content for local search and SEO.
* Any custom YAML fields for use with personalization or conditional content.

## File conventions

* Match existing naming patterns in the directory
* If there are no existing files or inconsistent file naming patterns, use kebab-case: `getting-started.mdx`, `api-reference.mdx`
* Use root-relative paths without file extensions for internal links: `/getting-started/quickstart`
* Do not use relative paths (`../`) or absolute URLs for internal pages
* When you create a new page, add it to `docs.json` navigation or it won't appear in the sidebar

## Organize content

When a user asks about anything related to site-wide configurations, start by understanding the [global settings](https://www.mintlify.com/docs/organize/settings). See if a setting in the `docs.json` file can be updated to achieve what the user wants.

### Navigation

The `navigation` property in `docs.json` controls site structure. Choose one primary pattern at the root level, then nest others within it.

**Choose your primary pattern:**

| Pattern       | When to use                                                                                    |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Groups**    | Default. Single audience, straightforward hierarchy                                            |
| **Tabs**      | Distinct sections with different audiences (Guides vs API Reference) or content types          |
| **Anchors**   | Want persistent section links at sidebar top. Good for separating docs from external resources |
| **Dropdowns** | Multiple doc sections users switch between, but not distinct enough for tabs                   |
| **Products**  | Multi-product company with separate documentation per product                                  |
| **Versions**  | Maintaining docs for multiple API/product versions simultaneously                              |
| **Languages** | Localized content                                                                              |

**Within your primary pattern:**

* **Groups** - Organize related pages. Can nest groups within groups, but keep hierarchy shallow
* **Menus** - Add dropdown navigation within tabs for quick jumps to specific pages
* **`expanded: false`** - Collapse nested groups by default. Use for reference sections users browse selectively
* **`openapi`** - Auto-generate pages from OpenAPI spec. Add at group/tab level to inherit

**Common combinations:**

* Tabs containing groups (most common for docs with API reference)
* Products containing tabs (multi-product SaaS)
* Versions containing tabs (versioned API docs)
* Anchors containing groups (simple docs with external resource links)

### Links and paths

* **Internal