react-nextjs-development — Claude Code skill for React and Next.js 14+

---
name: react-nextjs-development
description: "React and Next.js 14+ application development with App Router, Server Components, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, and modern frontend patterns."
category: granular-workflow-bundle
risk: safe
source: personal
date_added: "2026-02-27"
---

# React/Next.js Development Workflow

## Overview

Specialized workflow for building React and Next.js 14+ applications with modern patterns including App Router, Server Components, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS.

## When to Use This Workflow

Use this workflow when:
- Building new React applications
- Creating Next.js 14+ projects with App Router
- Implementing Server Components
- Setting up TypeScript with React
- Styling with Tailwind CSS
- Building full-stack Next.js applications

Read the existing package/lockfile and installed framework documentation before selecting versions; Next.js caching, route parameters and server/client APIs differ across releases. Server Components and UI route guards do not replace authorization in every server action/route/data access. Keep secrets server-only, validate runtime inputs, and treat deployment/publication as a separately authorized environment action. Referenced skills are optional available components, not instructions to scaffold, add every library or deploy automatically.

## Workflow Phases

### Phase 1: Project Setup

#### Skills to Invoke
- `app-builder` - Application scaffolding
- `senior-fullstack` - Full-stack guidance
- `nextjs-app-router-patterns` - Next.js 14+ patterns
- `typescript-pro` - TypeScript setup

#### Actions
1. Choose project type (React SPA, Next.js app)
2. Select a supported framework/build tool (for example Next.js or Vite); do not choose deprecated Create React App for a new project
3. Scaffold project structure
4. Configure TypeScript
5. Set up ESLint and Prettier

#### Copy-Paste Prompts
```
Use @app-builder to scaffold a new Next.js 14 project with App Router
```

```
Use @nextjs-app-router-patterns to set up Server Components
```

### Phase 2: Component Architecture

#### Skills to Invoke
- `frontend-developer` - Component development
- `react-patterns` - React patterns
- `react-state-management` - State management
- `react-ui-patterns` - UI patterns

#### Actions
1. Design component hierarchy
2. Create base components
3. Implement layout components
4. Set up state management
5. Create custom hooks

#### Copy-Paste Prompts
```
Use @frontend-developer to create reusable React components
```

```
Use @react-patterns to implement proper component composition
```

```
Use @react-state-management to set up Zustand store
```

### Phase 3: Styling and Design

#### Skills to Invoke
- `frontend-design` - UI design
- `tailwind-patterns` - Tailwind CSS
- `tailwind-design-system` - Design system
- `core-components` - Component library

#### Actions
1. Set up Tailwind CSS
2. Configure design tokens
3. Create utility classes
4. Build component styles
5. Implement responsive design

#### Copy-Paste Prompts
```
Use @tailwind-patterns to style components with Tailwind CSS v4
```

```
Use @frontend-design to create a modern dashboard UI
```

### Phase 4: Data Fetching

#### Skills to Invoke
- `nextjs-app-router-patterns` - Server Components
- `react-state-management` - React Query
- `api-patterns` - API integration

#### Actions
1. Implement Server Components
2. Set up React Query/SWR
3. Create API client
4. Handle loading states
5. Implement error boundaries

#### Copy-Paste Prompts
```
Use @nextjs-app-router-patterns to implement Server Components data fetching
```

### Phase 5: Routing and Navigation

#### Skills to Invoke
- `nextjs-app-router-patterns` - App Router
- `nextjs-best-practices` - Next.js patterns

#### Actions
1. Set up file-based routing
2. Create dynamic routes
3. Implement nested routes
4. Add route guards
5. Configure redirects

#### Copy-Paste Prompts
```
Use @nextjs-app-router-patterns to set up parallel routes and intercepting routes
```

### Phase 6: Forms and Validation

#### Skills to Invoke
- `frontend-developer` - Form development
- `typescript-advanced-types` - Type validation
- `react-ui-patterns` - Form patterns

#### Actions
1. Choose form library (React Hook Form, Formik)
2. Set up validation (Zod, Yup)
3. Create form components
4. Handle submissions
5. Implement error handling

#### Copy-Paste Prompts
```
Use @frontend-developer to create forms with React Hook Form and Zod
```

### Phase 7: Testing

#### Skills to Invoke
- `javascript-testing-patterns` - Jest/Vitest
- `playwright-skill` - E2E testing
- `e2e-testing-patterns` - E2E patterns

#### Actions
1. Set up testing framework
2. Write unit tests
3. Create component tests
4. Implement E2E tests
5. Configure CI integration

#### Copy-Paste Prompts
```
Use @javascript-testing-patterns to write Vitest tests
```

```
Use @playwright-skill to create E2E tests for critical flows
```

### Phase 8: Build and Deployment

#### Skills to Invoke
- `vercel-deployment` - Vercel deployment
- `vercel-deploy-claimable` - Vercel deployment
- `web-performance-optimization` - Performance

#### Actions
1. Configure build settings
2. Optimize bundle size
3. Set up environment variables
4. Deploy to Vercel
5. Configure preview deployments

#### Copy-Paste Prompts
```
Use @vercel-deployment to deploy Next.js app to production
```

## Technology Stack

| Category | Technology |
|----------|------------|
| Framework | Next.js 14+, React 18+ |
| Language | TypeScript 5+ |
| Styling | Tailwind CSS v4 |
| State | Zustand, React Query |
| Forms | React Hook Form, Zod |
| Testing | Vitest, Playwright |
| Deployment | Vercel |

## Quality Gates

- [ ] TypeScript compiles without errors
- [ ] All tests passing
- [ ] Linting clean
- [ ] Performance metrics met (LCP, CLS, INP) for the chosen measurement setup
- [ ] Accessibility checked (WCAG 2.1)
- [ ] Responsive design verified

## Related Workflow Bundles

- `development` - General development
- `testing-qa` - Testing workflow
- `documentation` - Documentation
- `typescript-development` - TypeScript patterns

## Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.