As I’ve been developing cThink , my multisensory learning system for technical education, I have actually faced a fundamental decision: what frontend pile should power the user experience?
Like lots of designers, I originally assumed I ‘d skip to a full React frontend. But the deeper I got into the product’s needs, the much more it ended up being clear that a hybrid design– Django on the backend, HTMX for a lot of interactions, and Respond only where it makes good sense– was the right choice.
Allow me discuss why.
The Heap I Arrived at
- Backend: Django + Django REST Framework
- Frontend: HTMX for the majority of UI communications (types, switches, partial page updates)
- Frontend: React for advanced interactive parts (code editor, visual building contractor, etc)
This offers me the very best of both worlds: the rate and simpleness of server-rendered HTML, incorporated with the power of client-side sensitivity when required.
HTMX + React: The Most Effective of Both Globes
Right here’s a failure of when I’m using HTMX vs React on the frontend:
By default, HTMX drives the UI, maintaining things quick, lightweight, and simple. But in position where interactivity demands more– like a visual logic contractor, embedded code execution, or onboarding circulations– I mount a tiny React component into the page.
Why I Didn’t Go Complete React
- Speed of development– HTMX lets me ship fast, without obtaining slowed down in state administration or boilerplate.
- Less frontend overhead– No bundlers or complicated construct chains unless I truly require them.
- Better server assimilation– HTMX makes Django’s built-in class-based views and design templates beam.
- SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION & & performance– Server-rendered HTML assists with crawlability and speed, especially vital for public-facing learning web content.
- Control– React provides me interactivity where needed, yet not at the price of intricacy all over else.
When React Does Make Good Sense
There are locations in cThink where React is definitely the far better fit. As an example:
- A collective whiteboard
- An interactive illustration canvas for the D.A.B. (Attract– Act– Construct) model
- An online chat system or ingrained video clip session
These aren’t points I intend to try hacking together with hx-get. For these, React provides me the control and dynamism I require– and I can load it only where needed.
A Modern Architecture
As opposed to choose in between simplicity and power, this hybrid strategy allows me:
- Keep 90 % of my code in acquainted Django sights and layouts
- Use HTMX to handle the bulk of the user interface, AJAX-style
- Present React only where it includes worth
The outcome is a quick, contemporary, scalable system that’s still simple to factor around– and friendly to new contributors or pupils who may not be full-stack React specialists.
Last Thoughts
Going hybrid isn’t a concession– it’s an optimization. By combining Django + HTMX + React, I’ve constructed a pile that matches the complexity of the product, instead of over-engineering for patterns.
If you’re constructing a learning device, internal system, or SaaS system where most interactions are common types, filtering system, or CRUD– provide this stack a major appearance. You may be stunned just how far HTMX can take you.
You can find me here: https://heriberto.codes/