What is Component Architecture?
The strategy for breaking a user interface into reusable, self-contained components and defining how they interact, compose, and share data.
In plain English
Component architecture is like designing with LEGO bricks. Each brick (component) has a specific shape and purpose. You can snap them together in different combinations to build anything. Well-designed bricks are versatile and reusable; poorly designed ones only fit in one specific place.
How it works
UI components are organized into a hierarchy: small, reusable 'atomic' components (buttons, inputs), composed into molecules (form fields), organisms (forms, cards), and page-level templates. Each component has a clear responsibility, well-defined props interface, and minimal internal state. Components communicate through props, callbacks, and shared state.
Why it matters for AI-built apps
AI tools generate components that work but are often monolithic — a single component handling layout, business logic, data fetching, and styling all in one file. This makes components impossible to reuse, difficult to test, and painful to modify. Refactoring toward a clean component architecture is one of the highest-value improvements you can make to an AI-built codebase.
Common issues
God components that do everything (500+ lines), business logic mixed with presentation, duplicate components that do nearly the same thing, no consistent pattern for data fetching within components, tight coupling between components, and no shared component library leading to inconsistent UI.
Best practices
Separate container components (data fetching, logic) from presentational components (UI rendering). Keep components focused on one responsibility. Create a shared component library for common UI elements. Use composition over configuration — build complex components by combining simpler ones. Define clear prop types/interfaces. Extract custom hooks for reusable logic. Aim for components under 150 lines.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my components are too big?
Signs of a component that needs splitting: more than 150–200 lines, multiple responsibilities (fetching data AND rendering UI AND handling business logic), many props (more than 5–7), or the same component being copied and slightly modified. If you struggle to describe what a component does in one sentence, it's probably doing too much.
Should I use a component library like Shadcn or build my own?
Use an existing component library. Building UI components from scratch is a huge time sink with little business value. Shadcn/ui is particularly good for Next.js projects because it gives you the source code (not a black-box npm package), so you own and can customize every component. Start with a library and customize as needed.
Check your app
Get a professional review of your app at a fixed price.
Security Scan
Black-box review of your public-facing app. No code access needed.
- OWASP Top 10 checks
- SSL/TLS analysis
- Security headers
- Expert review within 24h
Code Audit
In-depth review of your source code for security, quality, and best practices.
- Security vulnerabilities
- Code quality review
- Dependency audit
- AI pattern analysis
Complete Bundle
Both scans in one package with cross-referenced findings.
- Everything in both products
- Cross-referenced findings
- Unified action plan
100% credited toward any paid service. Start with an audit, then let us fix what we find.
Worried about component architecture in your app?
Get a professional code audit ($19) or book a free call to discuss your concerns.