Organize files by feature (e.g., /auth, /dashboard) rather than by type to improve maintainability and team ownership. 2. Use Redux Toolkit or Zustand for scalable state management, reserving global state for shared, complex data while keeping UI state local. 3. Design components with reusability in mind using atomic design principles and compound components, placing shared ones in /shared/components. 4. Implement routing with lazy loading via React Router v6 and manage data fetching with React Query or RTK Query to handle caching and side effects cleanly. 5. Enforce consistent naming conventions (PascalCase for components, camelCase for utilities, use-prefixed hooks) and automate formatting with ESLint, Prettier, and EditorConfig. 6. Integrate testing (Jest React Testing Library) and tooling (Husky, lint-staged, absolute imports) early to ensure code quality and consistency. A scalable React app is built on predictable structure, separation of concerns, and team-friendly practices that enable safe, efficient collaboration and long-term maintainability.

Structuring a scalable React application isn’t about following a one-size-fits-all template—it’s about making consistent, thoughtful decisions that allow your app to grow without becoming a tangled mess. As your project expands in features and team size, a well-organized structure becomes critical. Here’s how to set it up the right way.

1. Organize by Feature, Not Type

A common beginner mistake is organizing files by type:

/src
  /components
  /pages
  /hooks
  /utils

This works at first, but quickly becomes unmanageable. Instead, group files by feature or domain:

/src
  /features
    /auth
      AuthForm.jsx
      authSlice.js
      authApi.js
      index.js
    /dashboard
      Dashboard.jsx
      DashboardCard.jsx
      dashboardUtils.js
    /profile
      Profile.jsx
      EditProfileModal.jsx
  /shared
    /components
      Button.jsx
      Modal.jsx
    /hooks
      useApi.js
    /utils
      format.js

? Why it works:

• Easier to locate all files related to a feature.
• Reduces context switching.
• Enables better code splitting and lazy loading.
• Scales well with team ownership (e.g., team A owns /auth, team B owns /dashboard).

Tip: Use an index.js in each feature folder to create clean imports:
import { AuthForm } from 'features/auth'

2. Use a Clear State Management Strategy

As your app grows, prop drilling and context sprawl become serious problems. Choose a scalable state management pattern early.

For most medium-to-large apps, Redux Toolkit (RTK) is a solid choice:

• Reduces boilerplate with createSlice.
• Encourages normalized state structure.
• Works well with async logic via createAsyncThunk.

Alternatively, consider Zustand for simpler setups—it’s lightweight and scales surprisingly well.

? Avoid overusing global state. Only lift state that is:

• Shared across multiple components.
• Needed for persistence or syncing.
• Complex enough to justify centralized logic.

? Best practice:

• Keep UI state (e.g., form inputs, modal open/close) local.
• Use global state for business/data state (e.g., user session, cart items).
• Co-locate reducers and API logic with their feature folder.

3. Standardize Component Design and Reusability

Create a consistent component architecture to avoid duplication and confusion.

Guidelines:

• Atomic design (optional but helpful): Break components into:
  • Atoms (buttons, inputs)
  • Molecules (search bar = input button)
  • Organisms (header, sidebar)
  • Templates/Pages
• Use compound components when needed (e.g., <Tabs><TabList><TabPanel>)
• Limit props drilling with context only when truly shared (theme, auth, locale)
• Enforce component purity—avoid side effects in render logic

? Place reusable components in /shared/components.
Keep feature-specific components inside their respective folders.

4. Plan for Routing, Data Fetching, and Side Effects

As your app scales, data loading and navigation logic can become messy.

Routing

Use React Router v6 (or Next.js routing if using SSR/SSG):

• Define routes at the feature level.
• Use lazy loading for performance:

const Dashboard = lazy(() => import('features/dashboard/Dashboard'));
<Route path="/dashboard" element={<Suspense fallback={<>...</>}><Dashboard /></Suspense>} />

Data Fetching

• Use React Query (TanStack Query) instead of raw useEffect fetch.
  • Handles caching, loading states, retries, and synchronization.
  • Decouples data logic from components.
• If using Redux, pair RTK Query for API slices—it integrates cleanly.

? Example structure in a feature:

/features/todos/
  TodoList.jsx
  todoApi.js       ← RTK Query or React Query hooks
  todoSlice.js     ← only if local state needed

5. Adopt Consistent Naming and Conventions

Scalability depends on predictability. Enforce standards early:

• File names: PascalCase.jsx for components, camelCase.js for utilities.
• Folder names: lowercase, kebab-case if needed (user-profile), but stick to one.
• Hooks: always start with use (e.g., useAuth, useLocalStorage).
• Types/interfaces: use .ts or .tsx, and define them near usage or in a /types folder.

Use ESLint Prettier EditorConfig to automate consistency.

6. Prepare for Testing and Tooling

A scalable app must be testable and maintainable.

• Unit tests: Use Jest React Testing Library for components and hooks.
• Integration tests: Test key user flows (e.g., login → dashboard).
• Folder colocated tests:

  /features/auth
    AuthForm.jsx
    AuthForm.test.jsx

  Add tooling early:

  • ESLint (with eslint-plugin-react, @typescript-eslint)
  • Prettier
  • Husky lint-staged (for pre-commit checks)
  • Absolute imports via jsconfig.json or tsconfig.json

  ---

  Final Thoughts

  Scalability isn’t just about folder structure—it’s about maintainability, separation of concerns, and team workflows. Start simple, but design with growth in mind.

  Focus on:

  • Feature-based organization
  • Predictable state management
  • Reusable, well-encapsulated components
  • Smart data fetching
  • Automation and consistency

  The goal isn’t perfection—it’s creating a codebase where any team member can find, understand, and safely modify code without fear.

  Basically, structure it like you’ll hand it off tomorrow.

  The above is the detailed content of How to Structure a Scalable React Application. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!