Frontend Patterns Skill
Purpose
Ensure consistent frontend development using established patterns for Next.js App Router, authentication, shadcn/ui components, and analytics.
When This Skill Applies
- •Building new UI components or pages
- •Implementing authentication flows
- •Adding forms with validation
- •Integrating analytics events
- •Creating protected/authenticated routes
- •Working with shadcn/ui or Radix components
Next.js App Router Patterns
Server vs Client Components
typescript
// SERVER COMPONENT (default) - Use for:
// - Data fetching
// - Auth checks
// - SEO-critical content
// app/dashboard/page.tsx
import { auth } from "@clerk/nextjs/server";
export default async function DashboardPage() {
const { userId } = await auth();
// Fetch data server-side...
}
// CLIENT COMPONENT - Use for:
// - Interactivity (onClick, onChange)
// - Browser APIs (localStorage, window)
// - Hooks (useState, useEffect)
// app/dashboard/_components/interactive-widget.tsx
("use client");
import { useState } from "react";
export function InteractiveWidget() {
const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
// Interactive logic...
}
Protected Pages
CRITICAL: Always use export const dynamic = 'force-dynamic' for authenticated pages:
typescript
// app/dashboard/[page]/page.tsx
import { auth } from "@clerk/nextjs/server";
import { redirect } from "next/navigation";
// REQUIRED - Auth context unavailable at build time
export const dynamic = "force-dynamic";
export default async function ProtectedPage() {
const { userId } = await auth();
if (!userId) {
redirect("/sign-in");
}
// Render protected content...
}
Route Organization
text
app/
├── (auth)/ # Auth routes (sign-in, sign-up)
│ ├── sign-in/[[...sign-in]]/page.tsx
│ └── sign-up/[[...sign-up]]/page.tsx
├── (marketing)/ # Public marketing pages
│ ├── page.tsx # Homepage
│ └── pricing/page.tsx
├── dashboard/ # Protected user area
│ ├── page.tsx
│ └── _components/ # Page-specific components
└── admin/ # Admin-only area
└── page.tsx
Authentication Patterns
Server Component Auth Check
typescript
import { auth } from "@clerk/nextjs/server";
export default async function Page() {
const { userId } = await auth();
// userId is string | null
}
Client Component Auth
typescript
"use client"
import { useUser, useAuth } from '@clerk/nextjs';
export function UserProfile() {
const { user, isLoaded, isSignedIn } = useUser();
const { signOut } = useAuth();
if (!isLoaded) return <Skeleton />;
if (!isSignedIn) return <SignInPrompt />;
return <div>Welcome, {user.firstName}!</div>;
}
Admin Verification
typescript
// app/admin/page.tsx
import { auth } from "@clerk/nextjs/server";
import { redirect } from "next/navigation";
export const dynamic = "force-dynamic";
export default async function AdminPage() {
const { userId, orgId, orgRole } = await auth();
if (!userId) {
redirect("/sign-in");
}
// Verify admin role
const ADMIN_ORG_ID = process.env.CLERK_ADMIN_ORG_ID;
const ADMIN_ROLE = "org:admin";
if (orgId !== ADMIN_ORG_ID || orgRole !== ADMIN_ROLE) {
redirect("/admin-denied");
}
// Render admin content...
}
shadcn/ui Component Patterns
Import Convention
typescript
// Always use @/components/ui path alias
import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
import { Card, CardHeader, CardTitle, CardContent } from "@/components/ui/card";
import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
import {
Form,
FormControl,
FormField,
FormItem,
FormLabel,
FormMessage,
} from "@/components/ui/form";
Form Pattern (React Hook Form + Zod)
typescript
"use client"
import { zodResolver } from '@hookform/resolvers/zod';
import { useForm } from 'react-hook-form';
import { z } from 'zod';
import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
import { Form, FormControl, FormField, FormItem, FormLabel, FormMessage } from '@/components/ui/form';
import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input';
const FormSchema = z.object({
email: z.string().email('Invalid email'),
name: z.string().min(1, 'Name is required'),
});
type FormData = z.infer<typeof FormSchema>;
export function MyForm() {
const form = useForm<FormData>({
resolver: zodResolver(FormSchema),
defaultValues: { email: '', name: '' },
});
async function onSubmit(data: FormData) {
// Handle submission...
}
return (
<Form {...form}>
<form onSubmit={form.handleSubmit(onSubmit)} className="space-y-4">
<FormField
control={form.control}
name="name"
render={({ field }) => (
<FormItem>
<FormLabel>Name</FormLabel>
<FormControl>
<Input {...field} />
</FormControl>
<FormMessage />
</FormItem>
)}
/>
<Button type="submit">Submit</Button>
</form>
</Form>
);
}
Button Variants
typescript
// Primary action
<Button>Save Changes</Button>
// Secondary action
<Button variant="secondary">Cancel</Button>
// Destructive action
<Button variant="destructive">Delete</Button>
// Ghost/subtle
<Button variant="ghost">Learn More</Button>
// Link style
<Button variant="link" asChild>
<Link href="/docs">Documentation</Link>
</Button>
// Loading state
<Button disabled={isLoading}>
{isLoading ? 'Saving...' : 'Save'}
</Button>
Analytics Patterns
Event Naming Convention
Use snake_case with category prefix:
typescript
// User actions "user_signed_up"; "user_signed_in"; "user_profile_updated"; // Feature usage "feature_dark_mode_toggled"; "feature_export_clicked"; // Payments "payment_checkout_started"; "payment_completed"; "subscription_upgraded"; // Navigation "page_viewed"; "cta_clicked";
Event Tracking
typescript
"use client"
import { usePostHog } from 'posthog-js/react';
export function TrackableButton() {
const posthog = usePostHog();
function handleClick() {
posthog?.capture('cta_clicked', {
button_text: 'Get Started',
page: '/pricing',
variant: 'primary',
});
}
return <Button onClick={handleClick}>Get Started</Button>;
}
Accessibility Checklist
Required for All Components
- • Keyboard Navigation: All interactive elements focusable via Tab
- • Focus Indicators: Visible focus ring (Tailwind:
focus:ring-2) - • Color Contrast: 4.5:1 minimum for text
- • Alt Text: All images have descriptive alt text
- • ARIA Labels: Form inputs have labels or aria-label
- • Error States: Form errors announced to screen readers
Patterns
typescript
// Accessible button
<Button aria-label="Close dialog">
<X className="h-4 w-4" />
</Button>
// Accessible form field
<FormItem>
<FormLabel htmlFor="email">Email</FormLabel>
<FormControl>
<Input id="email" type="email" aria-describedby="email-error" />
</FormControl>
<FormMessage id="email-error" />
</FormItem>
// Skip link for keyboard users
<a href="#main-content" className="sr-only focus:not-sr-only">
Skip to main content
</a>
Responsive Design Patterns
Tailwind Breakpoints
typescript
// Mobile-first approach <div className=" px-4 // Mobile: 16px padding md:px-6 // Tablet: 24px padding lg:px-8 // Desktop: 32px padding "> // Responsive grid <div className=" grid grid-cols-1 // Mobile: 1 column md:grid-cols-2 // Tablet: 2 columns lg:grid-cols-3 // Desktop: 3 columns gap-4 "> // Hide/show at breakpoints <div className="hidden md:block">Desktop only</div> <div className="md:hidden">Mobile only</div>
Common Mistakes to Avoid
DON'T Do This
typescript
// Missing 'use client' for interactive components
import { useState } from 'react'; // Will error!
// Using hooks in server components
export default async function Page() {
const [state, setState] = useState(); // Will error!
}
// Missing force-dynamic on auth pages
export default async function ProtectedPage() {
const { userId } = await auth(); // May fail at build!
}
// Direct DOM manipulation
document.getElementById('foo'); // Use refs instead
// Inline styles (use Tailwind)
<div style={{ marginTop: '20px' }}> // Use className="mt-5"
DO This Instead
typescript
// Proper client component
"use client"
import { useState } from 'react';
// Server component with auth
export const dynamic = 'force-dynamic';
export default async function Page() {
const { userId } = await auth();
}
// Use refs for DOM access
const inputRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null);
// Tailwind classes
<div className="mt-5">
Reference
- •UI Patterns:
docs/patterns/ui/ - •Component Library:
components/ui/(shadcn/ui) - •Feature Flags:
config/features.ts