What is openidconnect.mdx?

openidconnect.mdx is a file written in MDX, a format that mixes Markdown (plain‑text formatting) with JSX (React components). The file contains the documentation for OpenID Connect - a standard way for apps to let users log in using an external identity provider (like Google or Microsoft). In simple terms, it’s a web page that explains how OpenID Connect works, written in a format that can be turned into an interactive website.

Let's break it down

  • MDX: Think of it as a notebook where you can write regular text (Markdown) and also embed live code or UI elements (React).
  • openidconnect: This part of the name tells us the content is about the OpenID Connect protocol.
  • .mdx: The file extension signals that the document is an MDX file, not just plain Markdown. When a developer runs a static‑site generator (like Docusaurus or Next.js) it reads openidconnect.mdx, turns the Markdown into HTML, and renders any React components so the page can have interactive examples.

Why does it matter?

OpenID Connect is a key piece of modern web security - it lets users sign in without creating new passwords for every site. Having clear, easy‑to‑read documentation (like the one in openidconnect.mdx) helps developers understand and correctly implement the protocol, which reduces bugs and security risks. Because the file is in MDX, the docs can include live code snippets that users can try instantly, making learning faster.

Where is it used?

  • In open‑source projects that provide authentication libraries (e.g., Auth0, Okta, or the open‑source “oidc-client” library).
  • Inside company internal wikis that teach engineers how to set up SSO for internal apps.
  • On public documentation sites built with Docusaurus, Next.js, or Gatsby, where the MDX file becomes a web page that anyone can read.
  • In tutorials or courses that walk beginners through the steps of configuring OpenID Connect.

Good things about it

  • Readable: Markdown makes the text easy to write and understand, even for non‑programmers.
  • Interactive: JSX components let the page show live demos, code editors, or authentication flows.
  • Reusable: The same MDX file can be compiled into many formats (web page, PDF, etc.) without rewriting content.
  • Version‑controlled: Because it’s a plain‑text file, it works well with Git, so changes are tracked and reviewed.
  • Consistent styling: When used in a static‑site generator, the whole site shares the same look and feel automatically.

Not-so-good things

  • Learning curve: Beginners need to know both Markdown and a bit of React/JSX to edit the file properly.
  • Build dependency: The MDX file only becomes a usable web page after running a build tool; without that step it’s just raw text.
  • Potential over‑engineering: For very simple docs, adding JSX may be unnecessary complexity.
  • Tooling limits: Some editors don’t highlight MDX syntax perfectly, which can lead to formatting errors.
  • Performance: Embedding many interactive components can slow down page load if not optimized.