Building Micro-Frontends

1. Introduction

Micro-frontends are an architectural style that extends the microservices concept to the frontend. This approach allows teams to develop, deploy, and scale parts of a web application independently. Micro-frontends enable better organization, improved maintainability, and faster development cycles.

2. Key Concepts

2.1 Definitions

Micro-Frontend: A frontend application composed of multiple smaller applications (micro-apps) that can be developed and deployed independently.
Team Autonomy: Each team can choose its technology stack and development practices.
Integration: Micro-frontends can be integrated at runtime, allowing different parts of the application to be built with different frameworks.

Note: Micro-frontends are best suited for large applications where multiple teams work on different parts of the product.

3. Step-by-Step Process

Identify Application Boundaries: Break down the application into smaller, manageable micro-apps based on business capabilities.
Choose Technology Stack: Each team can select its preferred framework (React, Angular, Vue, etc.) and tools.
Plan Integration: Decide on how the micro-apps will be integrated. Common methods include:

Server-side rendering
Client-side composition using an orchestrator
Web components

Implement Routing: Use a routing strategy that allows seamless navigation between micro-apps.
Deploy Independently: Each micro-app should be deployable on its own without affecting others.

Flowchart of Micro-Frontend Architecture


graph TD;
    A[Identify Application Boundaries] --> B[Choose Technology Stack];
    B --> C[Plan Integration];
    C --> D[Implement Routing];
    D --> E[Deploy Independently];

4. Best Practices

Ensure clear contract between micro-apps to avoid integration issues.
Keep the micro-apps small and focused on specific functionalities.
Use shared libraries for common functionalities to avoid duplication.
Establish a consistent design system across micro-apps for a unified user experience.
Monitor performance and user experience across all micro-apps.

5. FAQ

What are the benefits of using micro-frontends?

Micro-frontends improve scalability, allow for independent deployments, enhance team autonomy, and can lead to better resource allocation.

Can micro-frontends be used with any technology?

Yes, micro-frontends can be built using different frameworks and libraries, provided they adhere to the agreed integration contracts.

What are some challenges when implementing micro-frontends?

Challenges include ensuring seamless integration, managing shared state, maintaining performance, and dealing with cross-micro-app dependencies.