React Server Components: When to Use Them and When Not To
Server Components run on the server and ship no JavaScript to the browser, but they're not a fix for everything — some cases clearly need Client Components.
JavaScript shipped from a non-interactive Server Component
core cases requiring a Client Component: state and browser APIs
ideal pattern: outer Server page + small interactive Client piece
Server Components are ideal for fetching data and rendering content that doesn't need immediate browser interactivity: article pages, product listings, static details — since they add zero JavaScript weight on the client.
When You Need a Client Component
Any component needing local state (like an interactive form), using hooks like useEffect and useState, or needing browser APIs like localStorage, must be a Client Component via "use client".
The Common Composition Pattern
Best practice is making the outer page a Server Component that fetches data, then passing only the small interactive part as a nested Client Component — this keeps the JavaScript footprint as small as possible.
Questions & Answers
Can a Client Component be called from inside a Server Component?
Yes, and that's the recommended pattern — the reverse is harder (you can't directly import a Server Component inside a Client Component).
Do Server Components support full interactivity?
No, they run server-side only and have no state or direct interactive event handlers.
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