Astro Weekly #72

Improved image optimization with Astro 5.4, reference Astro content collections, build a serverless Astro site with Google Sheets

Author

Nathan Lawson
March 02, 2025

In partnership with

Bonjour, Astronauts!

This week's Astro update is coming to you from Paris! 🇫🇷

Astro 5.4 is here with new features like improved image handling in Markdown and enhanced security controls for dev and preview servers. Plus, learn how to build a serverless website using Google Sheets and Astro—no need for a database!

Let’s dive in! 🚀

What’s new with Astro 🗞️

Faster builds, safer servers

Astro 5.4—a picture perfect release ⚡

Astro 5.4 is available now!

In this release, you’ll find enhanced image handling in Markdown, and better security controls for dev and preview servers. Plus, more flexibility in config management and improved caching options for faster builds.

Here’s a quick look at what’s new:

  • 🏞️ Remote Image Optimization: Optimize remote images directly in Markdown.

  • 📱 Responsive Images: Experimental responsive image support in Markdown.

  • 🔒 Enhanced Security: Improved control over which hostnames your server responds to.

  • ⚡ RegExp Support: Better control over Vercel’s ISR caching.

  • 🔧 New Config Helpers: Easier config merging and validation.

For all the details and more, check out the Astro 5.4 release post.

Astro Boosters 🚀

Discover the many benefits of global hiring

Global hiring and remote work are rising. Deel’s here to help. With our Business Case for Global Hiring Guide, we’ll guide you through everything.

Learn more about:

  • Benefits of global hiring

  • Global hiring methods

  • Costs of global hiring

  • Solutions to global hiring challenges

Isn't it time you dive into a world of global hiring capabilities? Explore the ins and outs of global hiring with our free, ready-to-use guide.

Astro Community 🧑‍🚀

How to link Astro content collections 🖇️

Astro content collections are one of Astro’s many superpowers, but did you know you can link a content collection with another?

In this video, Chris Pennington demonstrates how to reference a collection inside of another collection using Astro’s reference() helper.

Astro’s a freak in the Sheets

Auto-update Astro using Google Sheets 🤯

Abhinav Jain shows how to create a serverless website with Astro and Google Sheets, completely bypassing the need for a traditional database.

By using a book collection as an example, Abhinav demonstrates how structured data from Google Sheets can be turned into a functional, paginated site.

What caught my interest this week 🤓

Check out these great posts from the Astro Community ↓

If you have something awesome you’d like to share with the Astro community, you can reach me at [email protected] or via DM on X

Blazing-fast Astro themes ⚡

Speed meets style

Say hello to astrothem.es. Blazing-fast, beautifully designed themes to help you build exceptional websites with Astro.

Get early access to our first release Feather—an elegant, minimalist blog theme. 🪶

Early access pricing available for a limited time. Astro Weekly subscribers can save an additional $10 using code ASTROWEEKLY10 at checkout.

Astro on X 💫

What’s happening on Twitter X this week…

Astro Showcase 🤩

Check out these impressive projects built with Astro!

Sakara Life

Organic, plant-based nutrition from Sakara Life. Enjoy chef-crafted meals & supplements for gut health, energy & radiant skin.

sakara.com

Tracksmith

Tracksmith is an independent running company that celebrates the competitive spirit. Shop premium running equipment for racing, training and all conditions.

tracksmith.com

That’s all for this week inside the Astroverse! 🚀

Built something awesome with Astro? Share it with Astro Weekly! Reach out to me at [email protected] or DM on X.

Au revoir, Astronauts.

– Nathan 👨‍🚀