React Isn’t Just Code — It’s Configs Too 🔧

Whenever I thought I was learning React, I discovered I was actually learning configuration management. And that became the biggest challenge!

I'm almost done with the React tutorial series by Midudev, a Spanish dev YouTuber. Through it, I’ve picked up a lot—but one thing surprised me: Configurations. And it’s a problem many people struggle with them too, according to the comments on YouTube.

Why Configs Matter

Of course, we start with components, hooks, state, and a simple app flow. But real-world apps require features, teamwork, styling, routing—which brings in dependencies... and suddenly config files, version mismatches, and endless troubleshooting. It's no longer just JavaScript—it becomes the ecosystem.

To highlight this, here's a quick tour of the main tools we used and why their configs matter:

🔧 The Essential Tools & Their Configurations

• Node.js

  • The server environment that powers everything.

  • It generates package.json, which tracks dependencies, versions, and scripts—vital for debugging compatibility issues.

• npm / pnpm (and Yarn)

  • Package managers that install dependencies. npm and Yarn use a flat node_modules structure, while pnpm uses symlinks to a global store—saving space and enforcing stricter dependency rules

• Vite

  • A modern dev server and bundler that runs on Node. It builds your app in development and production, all customized via vite.config.js

• Linters (ESLint, Standard)

  • These catch syntax errors, unused variables, and style issues as you type—especially helpful with VSCode integration. They each require separate config files.

• Prettier

  • Formats your code for consistency across files—a cosmetic tool that improves readability and collaboration.

• VSCode Settings

  • Your editor settings need to match with linters and formatters, so your environment stays consistent.

• Testers (Vitest, Playground)

  • Provide automated testing (unit, integration, and end-to-end). Without proper config, these tools don't work reliably.

• TypeScript

  • Adds static typing and IntelliSense, but requires its own config. It brings benefits like:

    • Function contracts – avoiding type errors (e.g., passing a string where an object is required).

    • Autocompletion – enhanced developer experience.

      Despite its advantages, TS config can introduce version issues—highlighting the importance of proper setup.

• Other Dependencies (Router/UI kits)

  • Libraries like routers or UI kits come with their own configs—and they can cause breakages when version mismatches occur.

Why This Matters to Me

I thought writing code was the complicated part. But configurations—installing tools, fixing version mismatches, keeping everything in sync—took me far more time. Dealing with them pushed me to learn how each tool works, not just what it does. It was tough, but now I feel I have a much stronger grasp of the front-end ecosystem 😊.

My Takeaways

1. Configuration is essential—not just an optional extra.

2. Document your setup process as you go—it’ll save future you from frustration.

3. Lock dependency versions and keep everything consistent.

4. Create a reusable setup checklist—your future projects will thank you.

🔜 What’s next up: I want to explore one of the real configuration challenges i had in upcoming posts, involving pnpm, vitest and typescript — so if you are interested, please, stay tuned!