MDX Component Docs

MDX component docs combine the simplicity of Markdown with the power of JSX, enabling rich component documentation with embedded live examples. MDX has become the standard format for design system documentation across React-based frameworks. This approach allows documenting components using the actual components themselves.

What Is MDX for Component Documentation

MDX is a format that allows writing JSX directly within Markdown documents. For component documentation, this means importing design system components and rendering them inline with documentation text. The result is documentation that demonstrates real component behavior rather than describing it through text or static images alone.

MDX files look like Markdown but support import statements and JSX syntax. Authors write explanatory content in Markdown while embedding component examples, custom callouts, or interactive elements using JSX. The format compiles to JavaScript, rendering through React at build time or runtime.

How MDX Component Documentation Works

MDX processing converts files into React components that render both Markdown content and embedded JSX. Documentation frameworks like Docusaurus, Storybook, and Gatsby include MDX support through plugins that handle this conversion.

Component documentation in MDX typically starts with frontmatter for metadata, followed by imports for components and documentation helpers. The body mixes Markdown sections with component examples. Custom MDX components can replace standard Markdown elements, such as rendering code blocks as live editors or tables as styled prop documentation.

Authors create reusable documentation patterns as MDX components. A PropTable component might accept a component and automatically render its prop documentation. A DoAndDont component might format examples in a consistent pattern. These custom components enforce documentation consistency while reducing repetitive markup.

Key Considerations

• MDX enables embedding actual design system components for live, accurate documentation examples
• Custom MDX components create reusable patterns for prop tables, callouts, and example layouts
• Code blocks can transform into interactive playgrounds using tools like react-live
• MDX provider configuration controls how Markdown elements render, enabling custom styling

Common Questions

How does MDX handle component props and state in documentation?

MDX components accept props like any React component, enabling interactive documentation. Examples can pass different prop combinations to demonstrate variants. For stateful interactions, documentation can include simple state management within MDX using hooks. More complex interactions might import wrapper components that manage state and render the documented component. Some documentation setups provide controls panels that modify props in real time, generated from component prop types.

What are common patterns for MDX documentation components?

Common MDX documentation components include PropTable for rendering component API documentation from TypeScript types, CodeBlock with copy buttons and syntax highlighting, LiveEditor for editable code examples, ComponentPreview with theme switching and viewport options, and DoAndDont for showing correct and incorrect usage patterns. Teams often create Note, Warning, and Tip callout components. These patterns maintain consistency across component documentation while reducing author effort.

Summary

MDX component docs enable rich documentation that demonstrates real component behavior through embedded examples. The format combines Markdown accessibility with React component capabilities. Custom MDX components create consistent documentation patterns while reducing repetitive work across component pages.