Replacing Create React App: Why Create TS Router App Is the Future of React Development - JSJ 675
May 2, 2025
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Jack Harrington, a skilled web developer known for creating content on React and Next.js, joins the discussion on the transition from Create React App to the innovative Create TS Router App. They dive into the benefits of CTA, highlighting its type safety, file-based routing, and modern Vite-powered setup. The conversation also contrasts server-side rendering needs for different applications and emphasizes the importance of community feedback for future enhancements. A lighthearted moment features a nostalgic card game inspired by 'Groundhog Day,' blending tech and fun!
The deprecation of Create React App signals a need for developers to transition to modern tools like Create TS Router App for enhanced efficiency.
Create TS Router App offers a streamlined setup with features such as type safety and flexible routing, suitable for diverse project needs.
The integration of AI into developer tools is highlighted as a significant advancement, improving coding efficiency and simplifying complex workflows.
Deep dives
Airport Relaxation with the Platinum Card
The episode highlights how the Platinum Card enhances the travel experience by providing access to over 1,400 airport lounges through the American Express Global Lounge Collection. This feature allows cardholders to escape crowded gates and enjoy a relaxing atmosphere with comfortable seating and amenities. Travelers can use this opportunity to recharge, rest, or catch up on tasks in a peaceful environment rather than enduring the usual airport stress. The podcast underscores the value of such benefits, especially for frequent flyers seeking comfort during their journeys.
The Evolution of Create React App
The discussion reveals that Create React App (CRA) has been deprecated, signaling a transition to newer alternatives for developers. The panel explains that although CRA remains functional, its deprecated status indicates that it should not be used for new projects. This transition creates challenges for learners and developers due to outdated tutorials that still reference CRA, complicating the learning path for newcomers to React. The panel suggests exploring modern tools and frameworks that better serve current development needs, thereby ensuring a smoother onboarding process.
Alternatives to Create React App
With the deprecation of Create React App, the conversation shifts to identifying suitable alternatives for developers. Vite emerges as a leading contender, offering a faster build process and a more straightforward setup compared to CRA. However, the panel highlights that Vite and Next.js come with their learning curves and may present challenges for beginners, especially when relating to differing project structures and configurations. The importance of accessibility and clear documentation for these alternatives is emphasized to aid developers transitioning away from CRA.
Understanding Next.js and Its Complexity
Next.js is positioned as a robust framework for building React applications, but the panel warns that its full stack capabilities may be overwhelming for entry-level developers. The framework’s emphasis on server-side rendering (SSR) elevates its complexity, potentially confusing those just eager to create client-rendered applications. Many internal applications do not require SSR, highlighting that Next.js might be overkill for simpler projects where moderate functionality suffices. As a solution, the panel suggests that a gradual transition to frameworks like Next.js may benefit developers as their applications evolve.
The Future of Application Development
The podcast explores how the development landscape is shifting towards tools that support incremental learning and application growth. New frameworks such as Tanstack’s router and Vite are discussed for their potential to support both simple and complex development needs effectively. The emphasis is placed on creating development experiences that benefit from both simplicity for beginners and scalability for more advanced users. Thus, the discussion underlines the importance of modernizing how applications are structured and encouraging the adoption of more intuitive frameworks.
Integration of AI and Developer Tools
Another focal point of the podcast is how AI is being integrated into developer tools to enhance coding efficiency. The panel discusses the rise of tools that allow for AI-assisted coding capabilities, reducing the burden on developers when managing large codebases or incorporating complex functionalities. These advancements aim to streamline tasks such as code generation and debugging, ultimately improving the developer experience. The conversation suggests that the future of software development will increasingly rely on AI tools to boost productivity and simplify workflows.
We’ve been diving into the evolving landscape of React app development and why tools like Create TS Router App (CTA) are stepping up to fill the gap left by the deprecation of Create React App (CRA). What we’ve learned is that SSR (server-side rendering) isn’t one-size-fits-all—e-commerce sites need it for SEO and performance, but internal tools and dashboards often don’t. That’s where CTA shines. It gives us a fast, modern, Vite-powered setup with TanStack Router built in, so we can start small and scale up without committing to heavy frameworks like Next.js from day one.
What we love about CTA is how it keeps things familiar (same structure as CRA) while giving us type safety, file-based routing, and the flexibility to add only the features we need—like Clerk, Sentry, or even SolidJS support. Whether we’re building a simple prototype or a full-featured app, CTA makes the experience smoother, more intuitive, and future-friendly.
