Skip to main content This skill should be used when the user asks about "Server Components", "Client Components", "'use client' directive", "when to use server vs client", "RSC patterns", "component composition", "data fetching in components", or needs guidance on React Server Components architecture in Next.js.
npx skills add davepoon/buildwithclaude --skill server-components claude claude-code subagents commands claude-code-commands cli-tool
React Server Components in Next.js
Overview
React Server Components (RSC) allow components to render on the server, reducing client-side JavaScript and enabling direct data access. In Next.js App Router, all components are Server Components by default.
Server vs Client Components
Server Components (Default)
Server Components run only on the server:
// app/users/page.tsx (Server Component - default)
async function UsersPage() {
const users = await db.user.findMany() // Direct DB access
return (
<ul>
{users.map(user => (
<li key={user.id}>{user.name}</li>
))}
</ul>
)
}
Benefits:
Direct database/filesystem access
Keep sensitive data on server (API keys, tokens)
Reduce client bundle size
Automatic code splitting
Client Components
Add 'use client' directive for interactivity:
// components/counter.tsx
'use client'
import { useState } from 'react'
export function Counter() {
const [count, setCount] = useState(0)
return (
<button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>
Count: {count}
</button>
)
}
Use Client Components for:
useState, useEffect, useReducer
Event handlers (onClick, onChange)
Browser APIs (window, document)
Custom hooks with state
The Mental Model Think of the component tree as having a "client boundary":
Server Component (page.tsx)
├── Server Component (header.tsx)
├── Client Component ('use client') ← boundary
│ ├── Client Component (child)
│ └── Client Component (child)
└── Server Component (footer.tsx)
Server Components can import Client Components
Client Components cannot import Server Components
You can pass Server Components as children to Client Components
Composition Patterns
Pattern 1: Server Data → Client Interactivity Fetch data in Server Component, pass to Client:
// app/products/page.tsx (Server)
import { ProductList } from './product-list'
export default async function ProductsPage() {
const products = await getProducts()
return <ProductList products={products} />
}
// app/products/product-list.tsx (Client)
'use client'
export function ProductList({ products }: { products: Product[] }) {
const [filter, setFilter] = useState('')
const filtered = products.filter(p =>
p.name.includes(filter)
)
return (
<>
<input onChange={e => setFilter(e.target.value)} />
{filtered.map(p => <ProductCard key={p.id} product={p} />)}
</>
)
}
Pattern 2: Children as Server Components Pass Server Components through children prop:
// components/client-wrapper.tsx
'use client'
export function ClientWrapper({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
const [isOpen, setIsOpen] = useState(false)
return (
<div>
<button onClick={() => setIsOpen(!isOpen)}>Toggle</button>
{isOpen && children} {/* Server Component content */}
</div>
)
}
// app/page.tsx (Server)
import { ClientWrapper } from '@/components/client-wrapper'
import { ServerContent } from '@/components/server-content'
export default function Page() {
return (
<ClientWrapper>
<ServerContent /> {/* Renders on server! */}
</ClientWrapper>
)
}
Pattern 3: Slots for Complex Layouts Use multiple children slots:
// components/dashboard-shell.tsx
'use client'
interface Props {
sidebar: React.ReactNode
main: React.ReactNode
}
export function DashboardShell({ sidebar, main }: Props) {
const [collapsed, setCollapsed] = useState(false)
return (
<div className="flex">
{!collapsed && <aside>{sidebar}</aside>}
<main>{main}</main>
</div>
)
}
Data Fetching
Async Server Components Server Components can be async:
// app/posts/page.tsx
export default async function PostsPage() {
const posts = await fetch('https://api.example.com/posts')
.then(res => res.json())
return (
<ul>
{posts.map(post => (
<li key={post.id}>{post.title}</li>
))}
</ul>
)
}
Parallel Data Fetching Fetch multiple resources in parallel:
export default async function DashboardPage() {
const [user, posts, analytics] = await Promise.all([
getUser(),
getPosts(),
getAnalytics(),
])
return (
<Dashboard user={user} posts={posts} analytics={analytics} />
)
}
Streaming with Suspense import { Suspense } from 'react'
export default function Page() {
return (
<div>
<Header /> {/* Renders immediately */}
<Suspense fallback={<PostsSkeleton />}>
<SlowPosts /> {/* Streams when ready */}
</Suspense>
</div>
)
}
Decision Guide Use Server Component when:
Fetching data
Accessing backend resources
Keeping sensitive info on server
Reducing client JavaScript
Component has no interactivity
Use Client Component when:
Using state (useState, useReducer)
Using effects (useEffect)
Using event listeners
Using browser APIs
Using custom hooks with state
Common Mistakes
Don't add 'use client' unnecessarily - it increases bundle size
Don't try to import Server Components into Client Components
Do serialize data at boundaries (no functions, classes, or dates)
Do use the children pattern for composition
Resources For detailed patterns, see:
references/server-vs-client.md - Complete comparison guide
references/composition-patterns.md - Advanced composition
examples/data-fetching-patterns.md - Data fetching examples
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