Component Architecture

Resources

scripts/
  validate-components.sh
references/
  component-patterns.md

Component Architecture

This skill guides you through designing and implementing UI components using GoodVibes precision and analysis tools. Use this workflow when building React, Vue, or Svelte components with proper composition, state management, and performance optimization.

When to Use This Skill

Load this skill when:

• Building new UI components or component libraries
• Refactoring component hierarchies or composition patterns
• Optimizing component render performance
• Organizing component file structures
• Implementing design systems or atomic design patterns
• Migrating between component frameworks
• Reviewing component architecture for maintainability

Trigger phrases: "build component", "create UI", "component structure", "render optimization", "state lifting", "component composition".

Core Workflow

Phase 1: Discovery

Before building components, understand existing patterns in the codebase.

Step 1.1: Map Component Structure

Use discover to find all component files and understand the organization pattern.

discover:
  queries:
    - id: react_components
      type: glob
      patterns: ["**/*.tsx", "**/*.jsx"]
    - id: vue_components
      type: glob
      patterns: ["**/*.vue"]
    - id: svelte_components
      type: glob
      patterns: ["**/*.svelte"]
  verbosity: files_only

What this reveals:

• Framework in use (React, Vue, Svelte, or mixed)
• Component file organization (feature-based, atomic, flat)
• Naming conventions (PascalCase, kebab-case)
• File colocation patterns (components with tests, styles)

Step 1.2: Analyze Component Patterns

Use discover to find composition patterns, state management, and styling approaches.

discover:
  queries:
    - id: composition_patterns
      type: grep
      pattern: "(children|render|slot|as\\s*=)"
      glob: "**/*.{tsx,jsx,vue,svelte}"
    - id: state_management
      type: grep
      pattern: "(useState|useReducer|reactive|writable|createSignal)"
      glob: "**/*.{ts,tsx,js,jsx,vue,svelte}"
    - id: styling_approach
      type: grep
      pattern: "(className|styled|css|tw`|@apply)"
      glob: "**/*.{tsx,jsx,vue,svelte}"
    - id: performance_hooks
      type: grep
      pattern: "(useMemo|useCallback|memo|computed|\\$:)"
      glob: "**/*.{ts,tsx,js,jsx,vue,svelte}"
  verbosity: files_only

What this reveals:

• Composition strategy (children props, render props, slots)
• State management patterns (hooks, stores, signals)
• Styling solution (CSS modules, Tailwind, styled-components)
• Performance optimization techniques in use

Step 1.3: Extract Component Symbols

Use precision_read with symbol extraction to understand component exports.

precision_read:
  files:
    - path: "src/components/Button/index.tsx"  # Example component
      extract: symbols
  symbol_filter: ["function", "class", "interface", "type"]
  verbosity: standard

What this reveals:

• Component export patterns (named vs default)
• Props interface definitions
• Helper functions and hooks
• Type definitions and generics

Step 1.4: Read Representative Components

Read 2-3 well-structured components to understand implementation patterns.

precision_read:
  files:
    - path: "src/components/Button/Button.tsx"
      extract: content
    - path: "src/components/Form/Form.tsx"
      extract: content
  output:
    max_per_item: 100
  verbosity: standard

Phase 2: Decision Making

Step 2.1: Choose Component Organization Pattern

Consult references/component-patterns.md for the organization decision tree.

Common patterns:

• Atomic Design - atoms, molecules, organisms, templates, pages
• Feature-based - group by feature/domain
• Flat - all components in single directory
• Hybrid - shared components + feature components

Decision factors:

• Team size (larger teams -> more structure)
• Application complexity (complex -> feature-based)
• Design system presence (yes -> atomic design)
• Component reusability (high -> shared/ui directory)

Step 2.2: Choose Composition Pattern

See references/component-patterns.md for detailed comparison.

Pattern selection guide:

Modern recommendation:

• React: Hooks + children props (avoid HOCs/render props)
• Vue: Composition API + slots
• Svelte: Actions + slots

Step 2.3: Choose State Management Strategy

Component-level state:

• Use local state for UI-only concerns (modals, forms, toggles)
• Lift state only when siblings need to share
• Derive state instead of duplicating

Application-level state:

• React: Context + useReducer, Zustand, Jotai
• Vue: Pinia (Vue 3), Vuex (Vue 2)
• Svelte: Stores, Context API

See references/component-patterns.md for state management decision tree.

Phase 3: Implementation

Step 3.1: Define Component Interface

Start with TypeScript interfaces for props.

React Example:

import { ReactNode } from 'react';

interface ButtonProps {
  /** Button content */
  children: ReactNode;
  /** Visual style variant */
  variant?: 'primary' | 'secondary' | 'ghost' | 'danger';
  /** Size preset */
  size?: 'sm' | 'md' | 'lg';
  /** Loading state */
  isLoading?: boolean;
  /** Disabled state */
  disabled?: boolean;
  /** Click handler */
  onClick?: () => void;
  /** Additional CSS classes */
  className?: string;
}

Best practices:

• Document all props with JSDoc comments
• Use discriminated unions for variant props
• Make optional props explicit with ?
• Provide sensible defaults
• Avoid any types

Vue 3 Example:

import { defineComponent, PropType } from 'vue';

export default defineComponent({
  props: {
    variant: {
      type: String as PropType<'primary' | 'secondary' | 'ghost' | 'danger'>,
      default: 'primary',
    },
    size: {
      type: String as PropType<'sm' | 'md' | 'lg'>,
      default: 'md',
    },
    isLoading: {
      type: Boolean,
      default: false,
    },
    disabled: {
      type: Boolean,
      default: false,
    },
  },
});

Svelte Example:

// Button.svelte (Svelte 4)
<script lang="ts">
  export let variant: 'primary' | 'secondary' | 'ghost' | 'danger' = 'primary';
  export let size: 'sm' | 'md' | 'lg' = 'md';
  export let isLoading = false;
  export let disabled = false;
</script>

// Button.svelte (Svelte 5 - using $props rune)
<script lang="ts">
  let { variant = 'primary', size = 'md', isLoading = false, disabled = false }: {
    variant?: 'primary' | 'secondary' | 'ghost' | 'danger';
    size?: 'sm' | 'md' | 'lg';
    isLoading?: boolean;
    disabled?: boolean;
  } = $props();
</script>

Step 3.2: Implement Component Logic

Follow framework-specific patterns for component implementation.

React with Composition:

import { forwardRef } from 'react';
import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
import { Spinner } from './Spinner';

const buttonVariants = {
  variant: {
    primary: 'bg-blue-600 hover:bg-blue-700 text-white',
    secondary: 'bg-gray-200 hover:bg-gray-300 text-gray-900',
    ghost: 'hover:bg-gray-100 text-gray-700',
    danger: 'bg-red-600 hover:bg-red-700 text-white',
  },
  size: {
    sm: 'px-3 py-1.5 text-sm',
    md: 'px-4 py-2 text-base',
    lg: 'px-6 py-3 text-lg',
  },
};

export const Button = forwardRef<HTMLButtonElement, ButtonProps>(
  (
    {
      children,
      variant = 'primary',
      size = 'md',
      isLoading = false,
      disabled = false,
      className,
      ...props
    },
    ref
  ) => {
    return (
      <button
        ref={ref}
        className={cn(
          'inline-flex items-center justify-center rounded-md font-medium',
          'transition-colors focus-visible:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2',
          'disabled:pointer-events-none disabled:opacity-50',
          buttonVariants.variant[variant],
          buttonVariants.size[size],
          className
        )}
        disabled={disabled || isLoading}
        aria-busy={isLoading}
        {...props}
      >
        {isLoading ? (
          <>
            <Spinner className="mr-2 h-4 w-4" aria-hidden />
            <span>Loading...</span>
          </>
        ) : (
          children
        )}
      </button>
    );
  }
);

Button.displayName = 'Button';

Key patterns:

• Use forwardRef to expose DOM ref
• Spread ...props for flexibility
• Compose classNames with utility function
• Handle loading/disabled states
• Add ARIA attributes for accessibility

Step 3.3: Organize Component Files

Create component directory with proper file structure.

Standard structure:

components/
  Button/
    Button.tsx          # Component implementation
    Button.test.tsx     # Unit tests
    Button.stories.tsx  # Storybook stories (if using)
    index.tsx           # Barrel export
    types.ts            # Type definitions (if complex)

Implementation with precision tools:

precision_write:
  files:
    - path: "src/components/Button/Button.tsx"
      content: |
        import { forwardRef } from 'react';
        // ... [full implementation]
    - path: "src/components/Button/index.tsx"
      content: |
        export { Button } from './Button';
        export type { ButtonProps } from './Button';
    - path: "src/components/Button/Button.test.tsx"
      content: |
        import { render, screen } from '@testing-library/react';
        import { Button } from './Button';
        // ... [test cases]
  verbosity: count_only

Phase 4: State Management

Step 4.1: Identify State Scope

Local state (component-only):

• Form inputs
• Modal open/closed
• Dropdown expanded/collapsed
• Loading states

Lifted state (parent manages):

• Form validation across fields
• Multi-step wizard state
• Accordion with single-open behavior

Global state (app-level):

• User authentication
• Theme preferences
• Shopping cart
• Notifications

Step 4.2: Implement State Patterns

React - Local State:

import { useState } from 'react';

interface SearchResult {
  id: string;
  title: string;
  description: string;
}

function SearchInput() {
  const [query, setQuery] = useState('');
  const [results, setResults] = useState<SearchResult[]>([]);

  const handleSearch = async () => {
    const data = await fetch(`/api/search?q=${encodeURIComponent(query)}`);
    setResults(await data.json());
  };

  return (
    <>
      <input value={query} => setQuery(e.target.value)} />
      <button
    </>
  );
}

React - Lifted State:

function SearchPage() {
  const [query, setQuery] = useState('');
  const [results, setResults] = useState<SearchResult[]>([]);

  return (
    <>
      <SearchInput query={query} />
      <SearchResults results={results} />
    </>
  );
}

React - Derived State:

interface Item {
  id: string;
  category: string;
  name: string;
}

interface FilteredListProps {
  items: Item[];
  filter: string;
}

function FilteredList({ items, filter }: FilteredListProps) {
  // Don't store filtered items in state - derive them
  const filteredItems = items.filter(item => item.category === filter);

  return <ul>{filteredItems.map(item => <li key={item.id}>{item.name}</li>)}</ul>;
}

Step 4.3: Avoid Prop Drilling

Use Context for deeply nested props:

import { createContext, useContext } from 'react';

const ThemeContext = createContext({ theme: 'light', toggleTheme: () => {} });

interface ThemeProviderProps {
  children: ReactNode;
}

export function ThemeProvider({ children }: ThemeProviderProps) {
  const [theme, setTheme] = useState('light');
  const toggleTheme = () => setTheme(t => t === 'light' ? 'dark' : 'light');

  return (
    <ThemeContext.Provider value={{ theme, toggleTheme }}>
      {children}
    </ThemeContext.Provider>
  );
}

export const useTheme = () => useContext(ThemeContext);

Phase 5: Performance Optimization

Step 5.1: Identify Render Issues

Use analysis tools to detect performance problems.

mcp__plugin_goodvibes_frontend-engine__trace_component_state:
  component_file: "src/components/Dashboard.tsx"
  target_component: "Dashboard"

mcp__plugin_goodvibes_frontend-engine__analyze_render_triggers:
  component_file: "src/components/ExpensiveList.tsx"

What these reveal:

• Components re-rendering unnecessarily
• State updates triggering cascade renders
• Props changing on every parent render

Step 5.2: Apply Memoization

Memoize expensive calculations:

import { useMemo } from 'react';

interface DataItem {
  id: string;
  [key: string]: unknown;
}

interface DataTableProps {
  data: DataItem[];
  filters: Record<string, any>;
}

function DataTable({ data, filters }: DataTableProps) {
  const filteredData = useMemo(() => {
    return data.filter(item => matchesFilters(item, filters));
  }, [data, filters]);

  return <table>{/* render filteredData */}</table>;
}

Memoize callback functions:

import { useCallback } from 'react';

function Parent() {
  const [count, setCount] = useState(0);

  // Prevent Child re-render when count changes
  const handleClick = useCallback(() => {
    onClick();
  }, []);

  return <Child />;
}

Memoize components:

import { memo } from 'react';

interface ExpensiveChildProps {
  data: DataItem[];
}

const ExpensiveChild = memo(function ExpensiveChild({ data }: ExpensiveChildProps) {
  // Only re-renders if data changes
  return <div>{/* complex rendering */}</div>;
});

Step 5.3: Implement Virtualization

For large lists, use virtualization libraries.

import { useVirtualizer } from '@tanstack/react-virtual';

interface VirtualListProps<T = unknown> {
  items: T[];
}

function VirtualList({ items }: VirtualListProps) {
  const parentRef = useRef(null);

  const virtualizer = useVirtualizer({
    count: items.length,
    getScrollElement: () => parentRef.current,
    estimateSize: () => 50,
  });

  // Note: Inline styles acceptable here for virtualization positioning
  return (
    <div ref={parentRef} style={{ height: '400px', overflow: 'auto' }}>
      <div style={{ height: `${virtualizer.getTotalSize()}px` }}>
        {virtualizer.getVirtualItems().map(virtualRow => (
          <div
            key={virtualRow.index}
            style={{
              position: 'absolute',
              top: 0,
              left: 0,
              transform: `translateY(${virtualRow.start}px)`,
            }}
          >
            {items[virtualRow.index].name}
          </div>
        ))}
      </div>
    </div>
  );
}

Step 5.4: Lazy Load Components

React lazy loading:

import { lazy, Suspense } from 'react';

const HeavyComponent = lazy(() => import('./HeavyComponent'));

function App() {
  return (
    <Suspense fallback={<div>Loading...</div>}>
      <HeavyComponent />
    </Suspense>
  );
}

Phase 6: Accessibility

Step 6.1: Semantic HTML

Use proper HTML elements instead of divs.

// Bad
<div me</div>

// Good
<button me</button>

Step 6.2: ARIA Attributes

Add ARIA labels for screen readers.

interface DialogProps {
  isOpen: boolean;
  onClose: () => void;
  children: ReactNode;
}

function Dialog({ isOpen, onClose, children }: DialogProps) {
  return (
    <div
      role="dialog"
      aria-modal="true"
      aria-labelledby="dialog-title"
      aria-describedby="dialog-description"
    >
      <h2 id="dialog-title">Dialog Title</h2>
      <div id="dialog-description">{children}</div>
      <button aria-label="Close dialog">
        X
      </button>
    </div>
  );
}

Step 6.3: Keyboard Navigation

Ensure all interactive elements are keyboard-accessible.

function Dropdown() {
  const [isOpen, setIsOpen] = useState(false);

  const handleKeyDown = (e: React.KeyboardEvent<HTMLButtonElement>) => {
    if (e.key === 'Escape') setIsOpen(false);
    if (e.key === 'Enter' || e.key === ' ') setIsOpen(!isOpen);
  };

  return (
    <div>
      <button
        => setIsOpen(!isOpen)}
       
        aria-expanded={isOpen}
        aria-haspopup="true"
      >
        Menu
      </button>
      {isOpen && <div role="menu">{/* menu items */}</div>}
    </div>
  );
}

Step 6.4: Validate Accessibility

Use frontend analysis tools to check accessibility.

mcp__plugin_goodvibes_frontend-engine__get_accessibility_tree:
  component_file: "src/components/Dialog.tsx"

Phase 7: Validation

Step 7.1: Type Check

Verify TypeScript compilation.

precision_exec:
  commands:
    - cmd: "npm run typecheck"
      expect:
        exit_code: 0
  verbosity: minimal

Step 7.2: Run Component Validation Script

Use the validation script to ensure quality.

bash plugins/goodvibes/skills/outcome/component-architecture/scripts/validate-components.sh .

See scripts/validate-components.sh for the complete validation suite.

Step 7.3: Visual Regression Testing

If using Storybook or similar, run visual tests.

precision_exec:
  commands:
    - cmd: "npm run test:visual"
      expect:
        exit_code: 0
  verbosity: minimal

Common Anti-Patterns

DON'T:

• Store derived state (calculate from existing state)
• Mutate props or state directly
• Use index as key for dynamic lists
• Create new objects/functions in render
• Skip prop validation or TypeScript types
• Use any types for component props
• Mix presentation and business logic
• Ignore accessibility (ARIA, keyboard nav)
• Over-optimize (premature memoization)

DO:

• Derive state from props when possible
• Treat props and state as immutable
• Use stable, unique keys for list items
• Define functions outside render or use useCallback
• Define strict prop types with TypeScript
• Separate container (logic) from presentational components
• Add ARIA attributes for custom components
• Measure before optimizing (React DevTools Profiler)

Quick Reference

Discovery Phase:

discover: { queries: [components, patterns, state, styling], verbosity: files_only }
precision_read: { files: [example components], extract: symbols }

Implementation Phase:

precision_write: { files: [Component.tsx, index.tsx, types.ts], verbosity: count_only }

Performance Analysis:

trace_component_state: { component_file: "src/...", target_component: "Name" }
analyze_render_triggers: { component_file: "src/..." }

Accessibility Check:

get_accessibility_tree: { component_file: "src/..." }

Validation Phase:

precision_exec: { commands: [{ cmd: "npm run typecheck" }] }

Post-Implementation:

bash scripts/validate-components.sh .

For detailed patterns, framework comparisons, and decision trees, see references/component-patterns.md.

Related Skills

Consider using these complementary GoodVibes skills:

• styling-system - Design system tokens, theme architecture, and CSS-in-JS patterns
• state-management - Global state patterns, store architecture, and data flow
• testing-strategy - Component testing, visual regression, and accessibility testing
• performance-audit - Bundle analysis, render profiling, and optimization strategies
• accessibility-audit - WCAG compliance, screen reader testing, and ARIA patterns

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