Mastering React & React Native: 4 Proven Folder Structures for Optimal Project Organization

When starting with a new language or framework, like React, one of the first challenges is figuring out how to organize your project. Unlike frameworks such as Angular, React doesn't dictate a specific file structure, leaving it up to the developer to decide. This can be tricky, especially if you're new to React.

Here, I'll walk you through four different ways to organize your React and React Native projects. These methods range from simple setups for beginners to more complex structures for larger projects.

1. Structure Based on File Type

If you're just starting out, organizing your files by type is a common approach. For example, you might have separate folders for components, pages, hooks, and so on. This setup works well for smaller projects but can become overwhelming as your project grows.

A variation of this structure is to separate shared components from page-specific components. This way, you keep things organized even as your project expands.

Example:

luaCopy codesrc/
|-- components/
|   |-- Avatar/
|   |-- Button/
|-- pages/
|   |-- UserProfile/
|-- hooks/
|-- utils/
|-- services/
|-- App.jsx
|-- index.js

2. Modular or Feature-Based Structure

For larger projects, a feature-based structure might be more effective. Here, you organize your code by feature or module, keeping everything related to a specific feature (components, hooks, utils) in one place.

This method can be a bit complex, as defining what constitutes a "module" can be tricky. But once set up, it keeps your code organized and manageable.

Example:

luaCopy codesrc/
|-- features/
|   |-- Home/
|   |-- UserProfile/
|-- utils/
|-- services/
|-- App.jsx
|-- index.js

3. Structure Based on Atomic Design

Atomic Design is a methodology for organizing components by categorizing them into Atoms, Molecules, Organisms, Templates, and Pages. This method fits well with React's component-based nature but requires a good understanding of the Atomic Design principles.

If your team is familiar with this method, it can be a great way to structure your project.

Example:

luaCopy codesrc/
|-- components/
|   |-- atoms/
|   |-- molecules/
|   |-- organisms/
|-- pages/
|-- App.jsx
|-- index.js

4. Hexagonal Architecture

Hexagonal architecture is a more complex way of organizing code, often used by full-stack teams familiar with this structure from backend development. It separates the code into domains, infrastructure, and more, providing a clear separation of concerns.

This method is best suited for teams already comfortable with hexagonal architecture on the backend.

Example:

luaCopy codesrc/
|-- domain/
|-- infrastructure/
|-- App.jsx
|-- index.js

Conclusion

There's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to organizing your React project. The key is to choose a structure that fits the size of your project and team. Starting with a simple file-type structure and gradually moving to more complex setups as your project grows is a practical approach.