![Multi Zone Micro Frontend Architecture](/images/projects/project-01/multi-zone-micro-frontend-architecture.webp) Micro frontend architecture is an approach to breaking down large and complex web applications into smaller, independent pieces. In this article, we'll examine from a technical perspective how to create an effective micro frontend architecture using Next.js's Multi-Zones feature. ## Project Structure Our project consists of two separate Next.js applications: the main application and the blog application. Here's the file structure: ```plaintext micro-frontend-demo/ ├── main-app/ │ ├── src/ │ │ ├── app/ │ │ │ ├── layout.tsx │ │ │ ├── page.tsx │ │ │ └── globals.css │ │ └── middleware.ts │ ├── next.config.js │ └── package.json └── blog-app/ ├── src/ │ ├── app/ │ │ ├── layout.tsx │ │ ├── page.tsx | | └── globals.css │ └── middleware.ts ├── next.config.js └── package.json ``` ## Main Application (main-app) The main application is the core of our micro frontend architecture. This application presents the interface that users will first encounter and manages redirections to the blog application. ## next.config.js This configuration redirects all requests starting with `/blog` to the blog application. The address of the blog application is dynamically determined using the `BLOG_URL` environment variable. ## src/app/page.tsx Our main page component has a functional and performance-focused structure: \n

Main Application

This is the main application of our micro frontend architecture.

\n \n \n \n \n )\n}', label: 'Next.js', language: 'tsx' }, ]} copyButton /> This component has a simple and fast-loading structure. It optimizes initial loading performance by leveraging server-side rendering. ## src/middleware.ts The middleware file is used to process incoming requests and add necessary CORS headers: This middleware adds CORS headers to requests coming to API routes. The allowed origin is dynamically set using the `BLOG_URL` environment variable. ## Blog Application (blog-app) The blog application is a separate Next.js application that operates independently from the main application. ## next.config.js This configuration ensures that all routes and static files of the blog application are served with the `/blog` prefix. ## src/app/page.tsx The blog home page: \n

Blog

\n {/* Blog post list will be here */}\n \n \n Return to Main Site\n \n \n )\n}', label: 'Next.js', language: 'tsx' }, ]} copyButton /> ## Environment Variables and Deployment Strategy Environment variables and deployment strategy are critical for the successful implementation of the micro frontend architecture. ## Environment Variables We should create separate `.env` files for the main application and blog application: **main-app/.env.local** **blog-app/.env.local** In the production environment, these values should be replaced with real URLs. ## Deployment Strategy 1. **Independent Deployment**: Each application should be deployed as a separate Vercel project. 2. **Environment Variables Configuration**: Appropriate environment variables should be set for each project in Vercel. 3. **Domain Configuration**: 1. Main application: `www.yoursite.com` 2. Blog application: `blog.yoursite.com` or `www.yoursite.com/blog` 4. **Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)**: 1. Create separate CI/CD pipelines for each application. 2. Pushes to the main branch should be automatically deployed to production. 5. **Versioning**: Manage the version of each application separately using semantic versioning. 6. **Canary Releases**: Use canary releases to introduce new features or major changes to a small group of users first. 7. **Rollback Strategy**: Create a quick rollback mechanism for each deployment. ## Technical Advantages of Micro Frontend Architecture 1. **Independent Scaling**: Each application can be scaled separately according to its own needs. 2. **Technology Renewal**: Parts of the applications can be migrated to new technologies while others continue to work with existing technologies. 3. **Error Isolation**: An error in one application does not affect other applications. 4. **Load Balancing**: Different applications can be hosted on different servers to achieve load balance. ## Conclusion This micro frontend architecture we've created using Next.js Multi-Zones makes large-scale web applications more manageable and scalable. This approach accelerates the development process, facilitates maintenance, and allows us to scale different parts of the application independently. The technical points to pay attention to for successful implementation of this architecture are: 1. Correct route management and CORS configuration 2. Effective use of environment variables 3. Independent deployment and scaling strategies 4. Performance optimization and SEO compatibility When properly implemented, micro frontend architecture can significantly improve the development and maintenance processes of modern web applications, increase team productivity, and allow us to create more flexible, scalable systems.