A Step-by-Step Guide

Step-by-Step Guide to Build a Micro-frontend Architecture for a Super App

Below is a detailed guide to implement the architecture shown in your diagram using React, Module Federation, and the latest MUI library.

1. Project Setup

1. Create a Monorepo (optional) Use Nx, Turborepo, or Lerna to organize microfrontend projects in a monorepo.

   bashCopy codenpx create-nx-workspace super-app

2. Create Microfrontend Projects For each microfrontend (A, B, C):

   bashCopy codenpx create-react-app microfrontend-a --template typescript
   npx create-react-app microfrontend-b --template typescript
   npx create-react-app microfrontend-c --template typescript

3. Install Dependencies Install the latest MUI library for all microfrontends.

   bashCopy codenpm install @mui/material @emotion/react @emotion/styled

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2. Configure Module Federation

1. Set Up Webpack in Microfrontends Replace the default configuration with Webpack 5 for Module Federation. Install dependencies:

   bashCopy codenpm install webpack webpack-cli webpack-dev-server webpack-merge @module-federation/webpack-federation-plugin

2. Define Module Federation in Each Microfrontend Update the webpack.config.js files in all projects:

   javascriptCopy codeconst ModuleFederationPlugin = require("@module-federation/webpack-federation-plugin");
   
   module.exports = {
     mode: "development",
     devServer: { port: 3001 }, // Replace with unique port for each app
     plugins: [
       new ModuleFederationPlugin({
         name: "microfrontendA", // Change for each app
         filename: "remoteEntry.js",
         exposes: {
           "./Widget": "./src/Widget", // Component to expose
         },
         shared: { react: { singleton: true }, "react-dom": { singleton: true } },
       }),
     ],
   };

3. Host and Consume Microfrontends

   • Host App (Container): Add an ModuleFederationPlugin and consume exposed components:

     javascriptCopy codenew ModuleFederationPlugin({
       name: "container",
       remotes: {
         microfrontendA: "microfrontendA@http://localhost:3001/remoteEntry.js",
         microfrontendB: "microfrontendB@http://localhost:3002/remoteEntry.js",
         microfrontendC: "microfrontendC@http://localhost:3003/remoteEntry.js",
       },
     });

   • Import widgets:

     javascriptCopy codeimport WidgetA from "microfrontendA/Widget";
     import WidgetB from "microfrontendB/Widget";
     import WidgetC from "microfrontendC/Widget";

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3. Build a Shared UI with MUI

1. Create a Shared UI Library Create a shared library for reusable MUI components (e.g., buttons, layouts).

   bashCopy codenpx create-react-app shared-ui --template typescript
   npm install @mui/material @emotion/react @emotion/styled

2. Export Shared Components Define common components:

   tsxCopy code// Button.tsx
   import { Button } from "@mui/material";
   
   export const CustomButton = ({ label }: { label: string }) => (
     <Button variant="contained" color="primary">
       {label}
     </Button>
   );

3. Expose Library via Module Federation Add the shared library to the ModuleFederationPlugin:

   javascriptCopy codeexposes: {
     "./CustomButton": "./src/Button",
   },

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4. Navigation Between Microfrontends

1. Install React Router in the container app and all microfrontends:

   bashCopy codenpm install react-router-dom

2. Define routes for microfrontends in the container:

   tsxCopy codeimport { BrowserRouter as Router, Routes, Route } from "react-router-dom";
   
   const App = () => (
     <Router>
       <Routes>
         <Route path="/microfrontend-a" element={<WidgetA />} />
         <Route path="/microfrontend-b" element={<WidgetB />} />
         <Route path="/microfrontend-c" element={<WidgetC />} />
       </Routes>
     </Router>
   );

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5. Testing and Development

1. Run Microfrontends Locally Start each microfrontend on a separate port:

   bashCopy codenpm start

2. Integrate with the Host App Run the host app and ensure microfrontends are rendered correctly.

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6. Production Deployment

1. Build Microfrontends

   bashCopy codenpm run build

2. Deploy Each Microfrontend Host each microfrontend (e.g., S3, Netlify, Vercel) and serve the remoteEntry.js file.

3. Integrate with a CDN Update the container app to point to CDN URLs for microfrontends.

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7. Bonus: State Management Across Microfrontends

Use a global state management library like Redux or React Query. Share the state across microfrontends via Module Federation.

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8. Final Touches

• Add theming support using MUI's ThemeProvider.

• Optimize performance using lazy loading for microfrontends:

  tsxCopy codeconst WidgetA = React.lazy(() => import("microfrontendA/Widget"));

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