React is one of the most popular JavaScript libraries for building user interfaces. It's flexible, efficient, and backed by a strong community.
But with that flexibility comes responsibility. Writing React code that’s clean, scalable, and easy to maintain requires adopting a few key best practices.
Whether you're just starting with React or looking to improve your skills, this guide will walk you through the most effective habits and strategies to level up your codebase.
Organize Your Project Structure
A well-organized folder structure helps you scale your app and onboard new developers more easily. Instead of dumping everything into a single components folder, organize by feature or domain.
Example:
/src
/features
/auth
AuthForm.jsx
authSlice.js
authAPI.js
/components
Button.jsx
Header.jsx
This keeps related files together and improves discoverability.
Keep Components Small and Focused
Follow the single responsibility principle. A component should do one thing and do it well. If it starts getting too big or handles too many concerns, it’s time to break it into smaller components.
Write Functional, Reusable Components
React now encourages the use of functional components with hooks instead of class-based components. They are easier to read, test, and reuse.
function Welcome({ name }) {
return <h1>Hello, {name}</h1>
}
Hooks like useState, useEffect, and useContext let you handle state and side effects cleanly without classes.
Use Props Effectively
Avoid hardcoding values inside components. Make them flexible by passing props. And don’t forget to document your props using tools like PropTypes or TypeScript.
function Button({ label, onClick }) {
return <button onClick={onClick}>{label}</button>
}
This makes your components easier to reuse and test.
Manage State Wisely
Keep local UI state (e.g., modal open/close, input values) inside components using useState. For shared or global state (e.g., user info, cart items), use state management tools like:
- Context API
- Zustand
- Redux Toolkit
- Jotai
- Recoil
Avoid putting everything in global state—it creates unnecessary complexity.
Avoid “Prop Drilling”
If you find yourself passing props down three or more levels, consider using context to share data across components.
const ThemeContext = React.createContext()
function App() {
return (
<ThemeContext.Provider value="dark">
<Page />
</ThemeContext.Provider>
)
}
This improves readability and simplifies component interactions.
Use Custom Hooks for Reusability
Extract Logic Into Hooks
When a piece of logic is reused across multiple components, turn it into a custom hook. This promotes clean separation of logic from UI.
function useWindowSize() {
const [size, setSize] = useState([window.innerWidth, window.innerHeight])
useEffect(() => {
const handleResize = () => setSize([window.innerWidth, window.innerHeight])
window.addEventListener("resize", handleResize)
return () => window.removeEventListener("resize", handleResize)
}, [])
return size
}
This hook can now be reused in any component that needs to track the window size.
Keep Effects Clean and Purposeful
It’s easy to fall into the trap of using useEffect for everything. But not all logic belongs there. Ask yourself:
- Does this really need to run after render?
- Can it happen directly inside the event handler?
- Could this be part of a derived value using useMemo?
Minimize unnecessary effects to avoid bugs and performance issues.
Cleanup Your Effects
If your effect sets up a subscription or a timer, always return a cleanup function.
useEffect(() => {
const timer = setInterval(() => console.log("tick"), 1000)
return () => clearInterval(timer)
}, []
This prevents memory leaks and keeps your components clean.
Use Semantic HTML
Stick to native elements like <header>, <nav>, <main>, <section>, and <article> when possible. This improves accessibility and SEO.
Avoid using generic <div>s for everything. Your HTML should reflect the structure of your content.
Style with Consistency
Choose a styling method that works for your team:
- CSS Modules for scoped styles
- Styled Components or Emotion for CSS-in-JS
- Tailwind CSS for utility-first design
Whatever you choose, keep it consistent across the codebase. Avoid mixing multiple styling strategies unless necessary.
Final Thoughts
Following React best practices isn’t just about writing prettier code—it’s about writing better, more maintainable, and scalable applications. With habits like keeping components small, organizing files clearly, managing state wisely, and writing clean logic, your code becomes easier to understand and evolve.
React gives you the tools. These practices help you use them well.
Start small. Choose one or two ideas from this list to apply in your next project. With time, they’ll become second nature—and your codebase will thank you for it.