Getting Started with React Server Components

What Are React Server Components?

React Server Components (RSC) are a new paradigm that renders components on the server and sends them directly to the client without bundling JavaScript.

Core Concepts

Server Components

By default, all components in Next.js App Router are Server Components:

• Run and render on the server
• Direct access to databases and file systems
• Zero client JavaScript footprint
• No useState or useEffect

Client Components

Add "use client" when interaction is needed:

"use client";
import { useState } from "react";
export default function Counter() {
  const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
  return <button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>{count}</button>;
}

Performance Benefits

1. Less client JavaScript — only ship interactive code 2. Faster first load — server returns HTML directly 3. Better SEO — full HTML content for search engines

Conclusion

React Server Components represent the future of React. Mastering RSC is key to building high-performance modern web apps.