Exploring Next.js 15: Server Components and the Future of React

I've been diving deep into Next.js 15, and I'm excited about the direction React is heading. Server Components are a game-changer, and I wanted to share what I've learned.

What Are Server Components?

Server Components run only on the server, which means:

• Zero JavaScript sent to the client
• Direct database access without API routes
• Faster initial page loads
• Better SEO

My Experience

I rebuilt parts of my portfolio using Server Components, and the performance improvement was noticeable. The initial HTML is now fully rendered on the server, which means:

• Faster First Contentful Paint (FCP)
• Better Core Web Vitals scores
• Reduced client-side JavaScript bundle size

Challenges I Faced

1. Understanding the boundary: Knowing when to use 'use client' vs. keeping components on the server 2. State management: Server Components can't use hooks like useState or useEffect 3. Third-party libraries: Some libraries require client components

Best Practices I've Learned

• Keep most components as Server Components
• Use 'use client' only when necessary (interactivity, hooks, browser APIs)
• Fetch data directly in Server Components
• Use Suspense for loading states

What's Next?

I'm planning to:

• Migrate more of my projects to use Server Components
• Explore React Server Actions for form handling
• Experiment with streaming and partial prerendering

Server Components represent the future of React development, and I'm excited to see where this goes!