Mastering React Server Components in Practice
How mental models change when moving data fetching to the server and eliminating client bundle bloat.
The Zero-Bundle-Size Promise
React Server Components fundamentally alter how we think about shipping JavaScript to users. By executing component logic and database queries on the server, heavy dependencies like markdown parsers, syntax highlighters, and date utilities never reach the client bundle.
Client Boundaries at the Leaves
The golden rule of modern Next.js architecture is keeping 'use client' directives at the extreme leaves of your component tree. Treat client components as interactive widgets (modals, dropdowns, forms) while keeping containers, data fetchers, and layout wrappers as server components.