React Foundations·Components, state and data

Routing and application structure

Routes are part of your information architecture, not an afterthought.

Intermediate 14 min read Lesson 10 of 300 Challenge included

What you will be able to do

Use nested routes for shared layouts such as a dashboard shell.
Keep route parameters in the URL when the view should be shareable.
Add a not-found route and an error boundary.

In plain English

React Router maps URLs to components. A useful structure separates pages from reusable UI, keeps data loading near the route and provides a real 404. URLs should be shareable and survive a refresh.

router.jsxJSX

import { createBrowserRouter } from 'react-router-dom'
import Dashboard from './Dashboard'
import Lesson from './Lesson'
import NotFound from './NotFound'

export const router = createBrowserRouter([
  { path: '/', element: <Dashboard /> },
  { path: '/lessons/:slug', element: <Lesson /> },
  { path: '*', element: <NotFound /> },
])

Your turn

Add a lesson route

Medium

Add a route /lessons/:slug that renders a Lesson component and a wildcard 404.

JSX · starter

const router = createBrowserRouter([
  { path: '/', element: <Home /> },
])

Check your understanding before moving on.

Knowledge checkQuestion 1

What does a wildcard route usually provide?

Select an answer to continue

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Next: Drill 1: Summarise — Thinking in components

Lesson 10 of 300 · 0% of course