Create React App is Dead. What Now? A Beginner’s Survival Guide to Modern React Tooling

The Death of CRA – What Happened?

If you relied on Create React App (CRA) and now feel stranded, don’t worry—you’re not alone! This guide is your one-stop survival kit for navigating the modern React ecosystem. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to do next, no confusion, no fluff.

For years, Create React App (CRA) was the go-to for bootstrapping React projects. It was simple, familiar, and got the job done. But on February 14, 2025, CRA was officially deprecated. Why?

• Performance issues: Slow builds and outdated Webpack-based tooling.

• Better alternatives: Tools like Vite, Next.js, and Remix outperformed it.

• Lack of updates: CRA's maintainers shifted focus elsewhere, leaving it outdated.

So, if you relied on CRA, what should you use now? Let's explore the best alternatives and how you can transition seamlessly.

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Meet the New Champions: Vite, Next.js & More

1. Vite – The Speed Demon

   • Lightning-fast build times with ESBuild.

   • Instant Hot Module Replacement (HMR).

   • Out-of-the-box support for TypeScript, JSX, and more.

   • Perfect for Single Page Applications (SPAs).

How to set up Vite:

    # Install Vite
    npm create vite@latest my-app --template react
    cd my-app
    npm install
    npm run dev

• Remove CRA-specific dependencies like react-scripts.

• Update index.html to include Vite-specific configurations.

2. Next.js – The All-in-One Powerhouse

   • Server-Side Rendering (SSR) and Static Site Generation (SSG).

   • API routes for backend logic.

   • Built-in support for React Server Components.

   • Best suited for scalable, production-ready apps.

How to set up Next.js:

    # Install Next.js
    npx create-next-app@latest my-next-app
    cd my-next-app
    npm run dev

• Move public/ and src/ directories to the Next.js structure.

• Replace React Router with Next.js's built-in routing.

3. Other Contenders

   • Remix: Optimized for server-side rendering and nested routing.

   • Astro: Ideal for content-heavy static sites with React, Vue, or Svelte.

   • Gatsby: SEO-friendly, great for blogs and marketing sites.

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Choosing the Right Framework for Your Needs

Survival Tips for Beginners

Switching from CRA might feel overwhelming, but these steps will make it easy:

1. Moving from CRA to Vite

• Run the Vite setup commands above.

• Update your package.json scripts (start → dev).

• Modify imports if necessary (e.g., process.env → import.meta.env).

2. Moving from CRA to Next.js

• Use the Next.js setup commands above.

• Adjust folder structures (public, pages vs. src).

• Switch to Next.js’s built-in image and font optimization.

3. Understanding Modern Tooling

• ESBuild & SWC: Ultra-fast JavaScript compilers replacing Webpack.

• Turbopack: Next.js’s new bundler for even faster builds.

• React Server Components: Unlocking new performance optimizations.

The Future of React Development

The React ecosystem is evolving fast. Here’s what’s next:

• React Server Components making SSR more powerful.

• Edge computing improving performance.

• Less reliance on frontend-only frameworks as full-stack solutions grow.

Now’s the time to embrace modern tooling. The CRA era is over, but not the React. 🚀

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Final Thoughts

Think of this as a "React Refugee's Guide"—if you’re lost without CRA, there’s a path forward. This article gives you everything you need to pick a new tool, migrate your projects, and thrive in modern React development.

Now, what’s your next move? Drop a comment and let’s discuss!