React Server Components enable server-side React. After building with RSC, here’s how to use them effectively.

What are Server Components?

Server Components:

  • Run on server - Not in browser
  • Zero bundle - No JavaScript sent
  • Direct data access - Database queries
  • Streaming - Progressive rendering

Basic Usage

Server Component

// app/users/page.tsx (Server Component by default)
async function UsersPage() {
    const users = await db.users.findMany();
    
    return (
        <div>
            {users.map(user => (
                <UserCard key={user.id} user={user} />
            ))}
        </div>
    );
}

Client Component

'use client';

import { useState } from 'react';

export function Counter() {
    const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
    
    return (
        <button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>
            Count: {count}
        </button>
    );
}

Best Practices

  1. Default to server - Use server components
  2. Use client sparingly - Only when needed
  3. Pass serializable props - No functions
  4. Stream data - Progressive loading
  5. Optimize queries - Efficient data fetching
  6. Handle errors - Error boundaries
  7. Test thoroughly - Server and client
  8. Monitor - Track performance

Conclusion

React Server Components enable:

  • Zero bundle size
  • Direct data access
  • Better performance
  • Simpler architecture

Use server components by default, client when needed. The patterns shown here build efficient React applications.

React Server Components from July 2023, covering server-side React patterns.