React's Architectural Limitations in Distributed UI Systems: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

This article critically examines React's architectural limitations when applied to distributed user interface systems, particularly in micro-frontend implementations. It explores the fundamental tension between React's component model, which assumes a unified runtime with shared context and rendering cycles, and the distributed nature of modern frontend architectures that emphasize team autonomy and independent deployment. The article progresses through React's core design assumptions, identifies specific challenges in cross-boundary state management and server-side rendering coordination, evaluates current industry mitigation strategies, including isolation techniques and module federation, and explores emerging paradigms that reimagine frontend architectures for distributed contexts. By identifying the architectural mismatches between React's monolithic design and distributed UI requirements, the article provides insights for organizations navigating these competing paradigms while seeking to maintain both system cohesion and team independence.