The Empire UI blog

2026-11-07 · 8 min read

Edge Runtime in Next.js: Middleware, Edge API Routes and Limits

Edge Runtime in Next.js gives you sub-5ms cold starts and geo-aware logic - but the constraints are real. Here's what actually works and what'll bite you.

Read →

2026-11-06 · 9 min read

Bun vs Node.js in 2026: Benchmarks, Compat and When to Switch

Bun 1.2 is fast. Node.js 22 is stable. Here's what the benchmarks actually show in 2026 - and when switching is worth the pain.

Read →

2026-11-05 · 9 min read

Qwik Framework: Resumability, Lazy Loading and Zero Hydration

Qwik skips hydration entirely with resumability. Here's how it actually works, why it matters for TTI, and when you should switch from Next.js.

Read →

2026-11-04 · 8 min read

SolidJS Introduction: Fine-Grained Reactivity Without a VDOM

SolidJS skips the virtual DOM entirely and surgically updates only what changed. Here's how fine-grained reactivity works and why it's genuinely fast.

Read →

2026-11-04 · 9 min read

Astro Islands Architecture: Partial Hydration in Practice

Astro's islands architecture ships zero JS by default and hydrates only what needs it - here's how partial hydration actually works and when to reach for each directive.

Read →

2026-10-27 · 8 min read

React.memo vs useMemo vs useCallback: A Practical Decision Guide

Stop guessing which React optimization API to reach for. This guide breaks down React.memo, useMemo, and useCallback with real examples and a clear decision framework.

Read →

2026-10-27 · 9 min read

React Context Performance: When It Causes Re-renders and How to Fix It

React Context re-renders every consumer when any value changes. Here's exactly why it happens and the patterns that actually fix it without rewriting your whole state layer.

Read →

2026-10-24 · 8 min read

React Compiler Beta: What It Auto-Optimizes and When You Still Need Memo

React Compiler beta auto-memoizes components and hooks - but it's not magic. Here's exactly what it handles, where it bails out, and when you still reach for useMemo yourself.

Read →

2026-10-21 · 8 min read

useTransition in React: Non-Blocking Updates and Concurrent Rendering

useTransition lets React defer low-priority state updates so your UI stays responsive. Here's exactly how it works and when you'd actually reach for it.

Read →

2026-10-08 · 9 min read

Server-Side Streaming in React + Next.js: Suspense and RSC

Server-side streaming with React Suspense and RSC lets you ship HTML progressively - so users see content in milliseconds, not seconds. Here's exactly how it works.

Read →

2026-10-08 · 9 min read

WebAssembly in React: Rust, wasm-pack and Real-World Use Cases

Ship compute-heavy logic in React using Rust and wasm-pack. Real setup steps, actual use cases, and the honest tradeoffs you'll hit in production.

Read →

2026-10-02 · 9 min read

React vs Svelte in 2026: Honest Comparison After 5 Years of SvelteKit

Five years deep into SvelteKit and still shipping React daily - here's what actually matters when choosing between them in 2026.

Read →

2026-09-29 · 9 min read

Lighthouse Performance Audit: Every Score, Every Fix Explained

Run Lighthouse, get a score, now what? This guide walks every metric, every red flag, and the exact fixes that actually move the needle.

Read →

2026-09-28 · 8 min read

Bundle Size Analysis in React: webpack-bundle-analyzer, rollup-visualizer

Stop shipping mystery megabytes. Learn to use webpack-bundle-analyzer and rollup-visualizer to find exactly what's bloating your React app and cut it.

Read →

2026-09-08 · 9 min read

Page Load Animation in React: First Paint, Stagger, Skeleton to Content

How to handle page load animations in React - from first paint flicker to skeleton-to-content transitions and stagger sequences that don't tank performance.

Read →

2026-08-19 · 8 min read

React Performance Profiler: Finding and Fixing Slow Components

Learn how to use the React DevTools Profiler to pinpoint slow renders, fix wasted re-renders, and ship snappy UIs - with real code examples and actionable fixes.

Read →

2026-07-28 · 8 min read

React UI Library Bundle Size Compared: shadcn, MUI, Mantine, Empire UI

We measured bundle sizes for shadcn/ui, MUI, Mantine, and Empire UI in 2026. Here's what actually ships to your users - and which library won't wreck your Lighthouse score.

Read →

2026-07-27 · 8 min read

Google Fonts Performance: font-display, preload and next/font

Google Fonts tanks your CLS and LCP if you load them wrong. Here's exactly how font-display, preload, and next/font fix that - with real code.

Read →

2026-07-27 · 8 min read

Image Optimisation in 2026: WebP, AVIF, Lazy Load and LCP

WebP, AVIF, lazy loading, and LCP - everything you actually need to know about image optimisation in 2026, with real code and no hand-waving.

Read →

2026-07-21 · 8 min read

Web Animations API in 2026: Native Animations Without a Library

The Web Animations API gives you keyframes, timing, and playback control in pure JavaScript - no Framer Motion, no GSAP. Here's how to use it properly in 2026.

Read →

2026-07-15 · 9 min read

React.memo, useMemo and useCallback: The Honest Guide to When You Need Them

Stop spraying React.memo everywhere. Here's when useMemo, useCallback, and memo actually help - and when they silently make things slower.

Read →

2026-07-14 · 8 min read

Next.js Caching in 2026: fetch, ISR, Dynamic and No-Store Explained

Next.js caching is confusing - fetch defaults, ISR revalidation, dynamic rendering, and no-store all interact. Here's exactly how each layer works in 2026.

Read →

2026-07-13 · 8 min read

React 19 Compiler: What It Does, What It Fixes and What to Expect

React 19's compiler auto-memoizes your components so you don't have to. Here's what it actually changes, what it still can't fix, and how to adopt it without pain.

Read →

2026-07-13 · 9 min read

Next.js Image Optimisation: next/image Deep Dive - Every Prop Explained

Every prop in next/image explained with real code - from lazy loading and LCP priority to blur placeholders, remote patterns, and responsive sizes.

Read →

2026-07-12 · 8 min read

Background Blur in CSS: backdrop-filter, blur() and When Each Makes Sense

backdrop-filter and filter: blur() do different things. Learn which CSS blur technique to reach for, when performance matters, and how to build glass effects right.

Read →

2026-07-01 · 8 min read

useMemo vs useCallback: When to Use Each (and When to Skip Both)

useMemo and useCallback aren't free - they have overhead. Learn exactly when each hook earns its keep, and when you're just adding complexity for nothing.

Read →

2026-06-28 · 8 min read

Virtualizing Long Lists in React: TanStack Virtual Deep Dive

Rendering 10,000 rows in React will tank your FPS. Here's how TanStack Virtual fixes it - with real code and zero hand-waving about "performance gains".

Read →

2026-06-27 · 8 min read

CSS backdrop-filter: blur, brightness, saturate and When to Use Each

Master CSS backdrop-filter: blur, brightness, and saturate - learn exactly what each function does, when to reach for it, and how to avoid the performance traps.

Read →

2026-06-25 · 8 min read

Web Font Loading in 2026: next/font, variable fonts and CLS

Everything you need to know about web font loading in 2026 - next/font, variable fonts, CLS fixes, and why your layout still shifts at 3am.

Read →

2026-06-24 · 8 min read

React Lazy Loading: Code Splitting, Suspense and the Right Way

React lazy loading with code splitting and Suspense cuts your initial bundle size dramatically. Here's the practical guide to doing it right without breaking your app.

Read →

2026-06-18 · 8 min read

Lottie Animations in React: Setup, Optimisation and Pitfalls

Learn how to integrate Lottie JSON animations into React apps - from first install to lazy loading, loop control, and avoiding the bundle-size traps most devs hit.

Read →

2026-06-13 · 15 min read

React Architecture & Patterns: The Complete 2026 Guide

Everything you need to architect scalable React apps in 2026 - component patterns, state strategies, performance, TypeScript, and real code you can ship today.

Read →

2026-06-13 · 15 min read

Advanced CSS & JavaScript Patterns: Production-Grade Techniques 2026

Master advanced CSS and JavaScript patterns used in production - container queries, cascade layers, GPU-composited animations, and design token architecture for scalable UIs in 2026.

Read →