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The navigation property in docs.json controls the structure and information hierarchy of your documentation. With proper navigation configuration, you can organize your content so that users can find exactly what they’re looking for. Choose one primary organizational pattern at the root level of your navigation. Once you’ve chosen your primary pattern, you can nest other navigation elements within it.

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Pages

Pages are the most fundamental navigation component. Each page is an MDX file in your documentation repository. Decorative graphic of pages. In the navigation object, pages is an array where each entry must reference the path to a page file. 
{
  "navigation": {
    "pages": [
      "settings",
      "pages",
      "navigation",
      "themes",
      "custom-domain"
    ]
  }
}

​
Groups

Use groups to organize your sidebar navigation into sections. Groups can be nested within each other, labeled with tags, and styled with icons. Decorative graphic of groups. In the navigation object, groups is an array where each entry is an object that requires a group field and a pages field. The icon, tag, and expanded fields are optional. 
{
  "navigation": {
    "groups": [
      {
        "group": "Getting started",
        "icon": "play",
        "pages": [
          "quickstart",
          {
            "group": "Editing",
            "expanded": false,
            "icon": "pencil",
            "pages": [
              "installation",
              "editor"
            ]
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "group": "Writing content",
        "icon": "notebook-text",
        "tag": "NEW",
        "pages": [
          "writing-content/page",
          "writing-content/text"
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

​
Default expanded state

Use the expanded property to control the default state of a nested group in the navigation sidebar.
  • expanded: true: Group is expanded by default.
  • expanded: false or omitted: Group is collapsed by default.
The expanded property only affects nested groups—groups within groups. Top-level groups are always expanded and cannot be collapsed.
{
  "group": "Getting started",
  "pages": [
    "quickstart",
    {
      "group": "Advanced",
      "expanded": false,
      "pages": ["installation", "configuration"]
    }
  ]
}

​
Tabs

Tabs create distinct sections of your documentation with separate URL paths. Tabs create a horizontal navigation bar at the top of your documentation that lets users switch between sections. Decorative graphic of a tab navigation. In the navigation object, tabs is an array where each entry is an object that requires a tab field and can contain other navigation fields such as groups, pages, icons, or links to external pages. 
{
  "navigation": {
    "tabs": [
      {
        "tab": "API reference",
        "icon": "square-terminal",
        "pages": [
          "api-reference/get",
          "api-reference/post",
          "api-reference/delete"
        ]
      },
      {
        "tab": "SDKs",
        "icon": "code",
        "pages": [
          "sdk/fetch",
          "sdk/create",
          "sdk/delete"
        ]
      },
      {
        "tab": "Blog",
        "icon": "newspaper",
        "href": "https://external-link.com/blog"
      }
    ]
  }
}
Menus add dropdown navigation items to a tab. Use menus to help users go directly to specific pages within a tab. In the navigation object, menu is an array where each entry is an object that requires an item field and can contain other navigation fields such as groups, pages, icons, or links to external pages. Menu items can only contain groups, pages, and external links. 
{
  "navigation": {
    "tabs": [
      {
        "tab": "Developer tools",
        "icon": "square-terminal",
        "menu": [
          {
            "item": "API reference",
            "icon": "rocket",
            "groups": [
              {
                "group": "Core endpoints",
                "icon": "square-terminal",
                "pages": [
                  "api-reference/get",
                  "api-reference/post",
                  "api-reference/delete"
                ]
              }
            ]
          },
          {
            "item": "SDKs",
            "icon": "code",
            "description": "SDKs are used to interact with the API.",
            "pages": [
              "sdk/fetch",
              "sdk/create",
              "sdk/delete"
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

​
Anchors

Anchors add persistent navigation items to the top of your sidebar. Use anchors to section your content, provide quick access to external resources, or create prominent calls to action. Decorative graphic of an anchor navigation. In the navigation object, anchors is an array where each entry is an object that requires an anchor field and can contain other navigation fields such as groups, pages, icons, or links to external pages. 
{
  "navigation": {
    "anchors": [
      {
        "anchor": "Documentation",
        "icon": "book-open",
        "pages": [
          "quickstart",
          "development",
          "navigation"
        ]
      },
      {
        "anchor": "API reference",
        "icon": "square-terminal",
        "pages": [
          "api-reference/get",
          "api-reference/post",
          "api-reference/delete"
        ]
      },
      {
        "anchor": "Blog",
        "href": "https://external-link.com/blog"
      }
    ]
  }
}

​
Global anchors

Use global anchors for external links that should appear on all pages, regardless of which section of your navigation the user is viewing. Global anchors are particularly useful for linking to resources outside your documentation, such as a blog, community forum, or support portal.
Global anchors must include an href field pointing to an external URL. They cannot contain relative paths.
{
  "navigation": {
    "global":  {
      "anchors": [
        {
          "anchor": "Community",
          "icon": "house",
          "href": "https://slack.com"
        },
        {
          "anchor": "Blog",
          "icon": "pencil",
          "href": "https://mintlify.com/blog"
        }
      ]
    },
    "tabs": /*...*/
  }
}
Dropdowns are contained in an expandable menu at the top of your sidebar navigation. Each item in a dropdown directs to a section of your documentation. Decorative graphic of a dropdown navigation. In the navigation object, dropdowns is an array where each entry is an object that requires a dropdown field and can contain other navigation fields such as groups, pages, icons, or links to external pages. 
{
  "navigation": {
    "dropdowns": [
      {
        "dropdown": "Documentation",
        "icon": "book-open",
        "pages": [
          "quickstart",
          "development",
          "navigation"
        ]
      },
      {
        "dropdown": "API reference",
        "icon": "square-terminal",
        "pages": [
          "api-reference/get",
          "api-reference/post",
          "api-reference/delete"
        ]
      },
      {
        "dropdown": "Blog",
        "href": "https://external-link.com/blog"
      }
    ]
  }
}

​
Products

Decorative graphic of a product switcher. Products create a dedicated navigation division for organizing product-specific documentation. Use products to separate different offerings, services, or major feature sets within your documentation. In the navigation object, products is an array where each entry is an object that requires a product field and can contain other navigation fields such as groups, pages, icons, or links to external pages. 
{
  "navigation": {
    "products": [
      {
        "product": "Core API",
        "description": "Core API description",    
        "icon": "api",
        "groups": [
          {
            "group": "Getting started",
            "pages": [
              "core-api/quickstart",
              "core-api/authentication"
            ]
          },
          {
            "group": "Endpoints",
            "pages": [
              "core-api/users",
              "core-api/orders"
            ]
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "product": "Analytics Platform",
        "description": "Analytics Platform description",
        "icon": "chart-bar",
        "pages": [
          "analytics/overview",
          "analytics/dashboard",
          "analytics/reports"
        ]
      },
      {
        "product": "Mobile SDK",
        "description": "Mobile SDK description",
        "icon": "smartphone",
        "href": "https://mobile-sdk-docs.example.com"
      }
    ]
  }
}

​
OpenAPI

Integrate OpenAPI specifications directly into your navigation structure to automatically generate API documentation. Create dedicated API sections or place endpoint pages within other navigation components. Set a default OpenAPI specification at any level of your navigation hierarchy. Child elements will inherit this specification unless they define their own specification.
When you add the openapi property to a navigation element (such as an anchor, tab, or group) without specifying any pages, Mintlify automatically generates pages for all endpoints defined in your OpenAPI specification.To control which endpoints appear, explicitly list the desired endpoints in a pages array.
For more information about referencing OpenAPI endpoints in your docs, see the OpenAPI setup. 
{
  "navigation": {
    "groups": [
      {
        "group": "API reference",
        "openapi": "/path/to/openapi-v1.json",
        "pages": [
          "overview",
          "authentication",
          "GET /users",
          "POST /users",
          {
            "group": "Products",
            "openapi": "/path/to/openapi-v2.json",
            "pages": [
              "GET /products",
              "POST /products"
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

​
Versions

Partition your navigation into different versions. Versions are selectable from a dropdown menu. Decorative graphic of a version switcher. In the navigation object, versions is an array where each entry is an object that requires a version field and can contain any other navigation fields. 
{
  "navigation": {
    "versions": [
      {
        "version": "1.0.0",
        "groups": [
          {
            "group": "Getting started",
            "pages": ["v1/overview", "v1/quickstart", "v1/development"]
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "version": "2.0.0",
        "groups": [
          {
            "group": "Getting started",
            "pages": ["v2/overview", "v2/quickstart", "v2/development"]
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

​
Languages

Partition your navigation into different languages. Languages are selectable from a dropdown menu. Decorative graphic of a language switcher. In the navigation object, languages is an array where each entry is an object that requires a language field and can contain any other navigation fields. We currently support the following languages for localization:
https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/ar.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=05498f2110920dcaec0dc0fbbfba3723

Arabic (ar)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/cn.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=e9db99fef2c54ba5d5b3efae27e4d1fa

Chinese (cn)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/cn.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=e9db99fef2c54ba5d5b3efae27e4d1fa

Chinese (zh-Hant)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/nl.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=570fa64f8749185545cd9d3d749a95ca

Dutch (nl)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/en.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=306cf1aa021a882615cc3cf507efb722

English (en)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/fr.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=b8f73ad8baeb34b3ee0544aca72d1aa4

French (fr)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/de.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=ee3e0942e85d2b169e6c995f11069d87

German (de)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/id.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=3b476f07c3959a7df6d2ae28ee9be94d

Indonesian (id)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/it.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=1bcd23c2eb998711ab19b87c999f8cfc

Italian (it)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/jp.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=ad094e8bcbf8f7cbb6610560abecbbb2

Japanese (jp)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/ko.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=2eefa7a5eed3219e97b6728b7abd6735

Korean (ko)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/lv.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=1fa49c54dcdb290d493bee02514f0043

Latvian (lv)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/no.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=fab5f18740a49bfd380501250f91c8a6

Norwegian (no)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/pt-br.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=efd9b93964f97dfb5ec9a0871cb08b11

Portuguese (pt-BR)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/ru.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=db71e2d7fb8b654d17fc3cc7dee4bcbb

Russian (ru)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/es.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=f3ea1f8ab6db06390d4ec6107cbb82a3

Spanish (es)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/sv.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=7881a92e4e05007c0d9fd60d78acb9fa

Swedish (sv)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/tr.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=aaabe3c571663f1f36ea981c13179097

Turkish (tr)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/ua.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=2fab8cca9479d154e69945b282220f0a

Ukrainian (ua)

https://mintcdn.com/beaverdock/jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf/images/navigation/languages/vn.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jhIX4BYB2BnDCQRf&q=85&s=8a2f239171618fa5e102417f1d45a6c7

Vietnamese (vn)

{
  "navigation": {
    "languages": [
      {
        "language": "en",
        "groups": [
          {
            "group": "Getting started",
            "pages": ["en/overview", "en/quickstart", "en/development"]
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "language": "es",
        "groups": [
          {
            "group": "Getting started",
            "pages": ["es/overview", "es/quickstart", "es/development"]
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}
For automated translations, contact our sales team to discuss solutions.

​
Nesting

Navigation elements can be nested within each other to create complex hierarchies. You must have one root-level parent navigation element such as tabs, groups, or a dropdown. You can nest other types of navigation elements within your primary navigation pattern. Each navigation element can contain one type of child element at each level of your navigation hierarchy. For example, a tab can contain anchors that contain groups, but a tab cannot contain both anchors and groups at the same level. 
{
  "navigation": {
    "tabs": [
      {
        "tab": "Documentation",
        "anchors": [
          {
            "anchor": "Guides",
            "icon": "book-open",
            "pages": ["quickstart", "tutorial"]
          },
          {
            "anchor": "API Reference",
            "icon": "code",
            "pages": ["api/overview", "api/endpoints"]
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "tab": "Resources",
        "groups": [
          {
            "group": "Help",
            "pages": ["support", "faq"]
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}
Breadcrumbs display the full navigation path at the top of pages. Some themes have breadcrumbs enabled by default and others do not. You can control whether breadcrumbs are enabled for your site using the styling property in your docs.json. 
"styling": {
  "eyebrows": "breadcrumbs"
}

​
Interaction configuration

Control how users interact with navigation elements using the interaction property in your docs.json.

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Enable auto-navigation for groups

When a user expands a navigation group, some themes will automatically navigate to the first page in the group. You can override a theme’s default behavior using the drilldown option.
  • Set to true to force automatic navigation to the first page when a navigation group is selected.
  • Set to false to prevent navigation and only expand or collapse the group when it is selected.
  • Leave unset to use the theme’s default behavior.
"interaction": {
  "drilldown": true  // Force navigation to first page when a user expands a dropdown
}