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Ravi Kishan
Ravi Kishan

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Building Scalable Web Applications with Microfrontends: A Detailed Walkthrough of Microfrontend Blog

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving world of web development, creating scalable, maintainable, and modular applications is more important than ever. Enter microfrontend architecture—a game-changing approach that divides a monolithic frontend into smaller, independently deployable pieces.

This blog introduces Microfrontend Blog, a real-world implementation of microfrontends built using cutting-edge technologies like React, TailwindCSS, Clerk, Module Federation, and Firebase Firestore. Whether you're an experienced developer or just getting started with microfrontends, this project is a comprehensive guide to building modular web applications.

GitHub Repository: Microfrontend Blog


Project Overview

Microfrontend Blog is a blogging platform designed to demonstrate the power of microfrontend architecture. It splits the application into five key modules:

  1. Auth Microfrontend: Handles user authentication using Clerk.
  2. Dashboard Microfrontend: Allows users to create, edit, and manage blogs.
  3. Viewer Microfrontend: Displays blogs with comment functionality.
  4. Shared Components: A library of reusable components like headers, footers, and blog cards.
  5. Container: Orchestrates the integration of all microfrontends.

By adopting Module Federation, each microfrontend is developed and deployed independently, enabling seamless collaboration across teams and simplifying the scaling process.


Features

  1. Authentication: Secure login and signup with Clerk.
  2. Blog Management: A rich dashboard for managing blogs.
  3. Blog Viewing: Interactive blog display with a comments section.
  4. Responsive UI: Styled with TailwindCSS for consistency across devices.
  5. Scalability: Independent deployment of microfrontends.

Technologies Used

  • React: The foundation for building the UI.
  • TailwindCSS: A utility-first CSS framework for modern designs.
  • Clerk: A robust authentication library.
  • Firebase Firestore: Cloud-based database for blog storage.
  • Module Federation: Simplifies microfrontend integration.
  • Webpack: Efficient module bundler for development and production.

Architecture Diagram

The architecture demonstrates the interaction between microfrontends, the container, and backend services:

Microfrontend Diagram


Getting Started

1. Prerequisites

  • Install Node.js (v16+).
  • Clone the repository:
  git clone https://github.com/Ravikisha/Microfrontend-Blog.git
  cd Microfrontend-Blog
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2. Install Dependencies
For each microfrontend and shared components, run:

cd <microfrontend-folder>
npm install
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3. Start the Development Server

npm start
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4. Access the Application
Visit http://localhost:3005 to view the application.


Screenshots

Screenshots

  1. Home Page:

Home Page

  1. Login Page:

Login Page

  1. Create Blog:

Create Blog

  1. View Blog:

Content 1

Content 2

MicroFrontend Screenshots

  1. Auth Microfrontend:

Auth Mfe

  1. Dashboard Microfrontend:

Dashboard mfe

  1. Viewer Microfrontend:

Viewer Mfe

  1. Shared Components:

Shared mfe

  1. Container:

Container mfe


Key Benefits of Microfrontend Architecture

  1. Independent Development: Teams can work on different microfrontends without stepping on each other's toes.
  2. Scalability: Easily scale individual modules based on demand.
  3. Reusability: Shared components streamline development and ensure design consistency.

Conclusion

The Microfrontend Blog project serves as a practical example of how microfrontend architecture can simplify development and improve scalability. With technologies like React, TailwindCSS, and Module Federation, developers can create robust and maintainable applications that meet modern web development demands.

Explore the code and start building your modular applications today!

GitHub Repository: Microfrontend Blog


Would you like me to add more details, such as common troubleshooting tips or deeper dives into individual microfrontends?

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