React Server Components: What to Adopt (and Avoid)

React Server Components (RSC) are an exciting evolution in the React ecosystem, enabling developers to build lightning-fast applications with server-rendered UI at a finer granularity. Introduced as part of React’s ongoing push toward better performance and cleaner separation of concerns between server and client, RSC brings new capabilities—but also new complexities. As with any new paradigm, there are clear benefits and potential pitfalls. Knowing what to adopt—and what to avoid—is crucial for teams looking to get the most out of React Server Components.

What Are React Server Components?

React Server Components are a way to render parts of your UI exclusively on the server, resulting in a more performance-optimized bundle for the client. Unlike traditional Server-Side Rendering (SSR), where the entire page is rendered on the server, RSC allows you to choose which parts of your UI should run purely on the server and which stay on the client.

This approach leads to:

  • Smaller client bundles
  • Reduced client-side JavaScript execution time
  • Faster initial load performance

Server Components are especially useful in cases where the UI does not require interactivity, such as dashboards, content-heavy pages, or lists fetched from an API.

What to Adopt

To make the most out of React Server Components, it’s important to understand where they shine. Here are the key practices and concepts that developers should consider adopting:

1. Use RSC for Static or Non-Interactive Components

Server Components are ideal for rendering parts of your application that don’t require immediate user interaction. These can include:

  • Static product descriptions
  • Markdown-rendered blog posts
  • Server-rendered data visualizations

By keeping these components on the server, you reduce the amount of JavaScript sent to the client, resulting in faster renders and a more efficient application.

2. Leverage RSC to Streamline Data Fetching

One of the benefits of Server Components is smoother integration with server-side data fetching. Since these components run on the server, they can directly access backend resources such as databases or external APIs without needing to expose APIs over the network.

This simplifies logic and also improves security, as sensitive data never leaves the server unintentionally.

3. Adopt a Layered Architecture

Teams should consider a clear separation between Server Components and Client Components. Following a layered model can help, such as:

  • Layout components: Ideal to be rendered on the server
  • Interactive widgets: Best kept as client components
  • Shared utility logic: Keep separate for clarity and reuse

This modular approach allows for better maintainability and a cleaner structure.

4. Use Streaming Where Appropriate

React Server Components can be used with streaming, allowing parts of the page to load progressively as they become available. This significantly enhances performance and perceived speed, especially on slow networks or with large datasets.

5. Stay on the Latest Framework Versions

Frameworks like Next.js have adopted React Server Components and continue to update their support and tooling. Staying on the latest version ensures access to bug fixes, performance enhancements, and the latest features around RSC.

What to Avoid

With great power comes great responsibility. Using React Server Components improperly can lead to unexpected bugs or poor performance. Here’s what to avoid:

1. Avoid Mixing Server and Client Components Carelessly

Server and Client Components have distinct lifecycles and capabilities. While Server Components can render Client Components, the reverse is not true. Trying to intermix these without clear structure leads to confusion and bugs.

For example, don’t try to pass event handlers or stateful props from a Server Component to a Client Component—it won’t work.

2. Avoid Adding Interactivity in Server Components

Server Components cannot manage client-side state or handle browser events. Adding event listeners in a Server Component will silently fail. Be sure all interactive logic resides in Client Components.

3. Don’t Over-Rely on RSC—Use Them Where They Shine

Just because Server Components are a powerful tool doesn’t mean everything should be turned into one. Use Server Components for portions of your app that truly benefit from reduced interactivity and better server-side integration.

4. Avoid Global State Management from Server Components

React Server Components don’t support local state in the traditional sense and have no access to client-side storage like localStorage or sessionStorage. Any kind of global state sharing between components needs to happen on the client. If you attempt to manage or persist state via Server Components, you’ll end up with unexpected inconsistencies.

5. Avoid Using Server Components Without Proper Tooling

RSC is still a relatively new technology, and not all frameworks and hosting platforms support it seamlessly yet. Avoid jumping into Server Components without toolchain support from frameworks like Next.js or Remix. Attempting to build your own solution can introduce significant complexity.

Tooling & Ecosystem

React Server Components are currently best supported in:

  • Next.js (App Router): Full RSC support, including streaming and routing
  • Remix: Partial support with opinionated conventions
  • Vite + React (experimental): Some community attempts, not production ready

For development environments, tools like eslint-plugin-react and type systems like TypeScript help ensure correct usage by flagging improper imports or usages of server-specific modules on the client.

Best Practices Summary

  • Adopt RSC for static rendering and server-centric logic
  • Use Client Components for interactivity, state, and event handling
  • Employ a structured approach to component layering
  • Leverage framework-level optimizations and patterns
  • Monitor your build and performance using tooling

React Server Components represent a powerful shift in how modern web apps can be delivered. Through strategic adoption and a clear understanding of structure and limitations, developers can offer users better performance without sacrificing maintainability or flexibility.

FAQ: React Server Components

  • Can Server Components manage local or global state?
    No. Server Components have no access to browser APIs, so they can’t manage state between renders in the same way Client Components can.
  • Do Server Components replace SSR?
    Not exactly. SSR renders the whole page on the server. RSC lets you choose specific UI components to render on the server for better modularity.
  • Are React Server Components stable?
    They are stable within supported frameworks like Next.js but are still evolving. It’s recommended to follow changelogs closely.
  • What happens if a Server Component uses an event handler?
    It won’t work—event handlers like onClick don’t execute on the server. Interactive logic belongs to Client Components.
  • Can I fetch from a database directly inside a Server Component?
    Yes. That’s one of the main advantages of Server Components—they can access server-side resources naturally.