Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation · Lesson

Shared State Management

Explore strategies for managing shared state across federated applications, such as Redux or Context API.

Shared State Management is a free Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 2 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

What is Shared State?

In Micro Frontends, shared state refers to data that needs to be accessible and consistent across different, independently developed and deployed applications.

Think of user authentication status, global theme settings, or shopping cart contents.
This state isn't owned by a single micro frontend but is crucial for a cohesive user experience.

Managing this state effectively is key to building complex federated applications.

Why Shared State in MFEs?

When you have multiple micro frontends making up a single user interface, they often need to react to the same global information.

User Experience: A user logs in on one MFE, and others need to know they're authenticated.
Consistency: Applying a global theme preference across all parts of the application.
Data Flow: Passing data from one MFE (e.g., product selection) to another (e.g., checkout).

Without shared state, each MFE would manage its own isolated data, leading to inconsistencies and a disjointed user journey.

Challenges of Shared State

While essential, sharing state in a Micro Frontend architecture comes with unique challenges:

Isolation: MFEs are designed to be independent. Breaking this isolation needs careful planning.
Framework Agnosticism: Different MFEs might use different JavaScript frameworks (React, Angular, Vue).
Performance: Inefficient sharing can lead to redundant data fetching or slow updates.
Complexity: Deciding ownership, update mechanisms, and preventing conflicts can be complex.

We need strategies that balance independence with the necessity of shared information.

Simple Shared State: Local Storage

For very basic, non-sensitive, and persistent state, browser's Local Storage can be a quick solution. Each MFE can read from and write to it.

However, it's not reactive, meaning MFEs don't automatically update when Local Storage changes. It's also not suitable for complex or real-time state.

Try setting and getting an item:

localStorage.setItem('appTheme', 'dark');
console.log('Theme set to dark.');

const currentTheme = localStorage.getItem('appTheme');
console.log('Current theme:', currentTheme);

// To remove:
// localStorage.removeItem('appTheme');
// console.log('Theme removed.');

Centralized State Stores

For more complex and reactive shared state, a centralized state store is a common pattern. Libraries like Redux are popular examples.

A single source of truth for your application's state.
Predictable state changes through actions and reducers.
Easier debugging and traceability of state modifications.

In a federated setup, a host or a dedicated remote MFE can expose such a store for others to consume.

Building a Simple Global Store

Let's create a basic, framework-agnostic global store. This store will hold our shared state and allow components to subscribe to changes. This mimics how a Redux store would function at a high level.

Run this code to see a simple store in action:

let sharedState = { userStatus: 'loggedOut', notifications: [] };
const subscribers = [];

function getSharedState() {
  return sharedState;
}

function dispatchAction(action) {
  switch (action.type) {
    case 'LOGIN':
      sharedState = { ...sharedState, userStatus: 'loggedIn' };
      break;
    case 'ADD_NOTIFICATION':
      sharedState = { ...sharedState, notifications: [...sharedState.notifications, action.payload] };
      break;
    default:
      return;
  }
  subscribers.forEach(cb => cb(sharedState));
}

function subscribe(callback) {
  subscribers.push(callback);
  return () => {
    const index = subscribers.indexOf(callback);
    if (index > -1) subscribers.splice(index, 1);
  };
}

// --- Example Usage ---
console.log('Initial state:', getSharedState());
const unsubscribe = subscribe(newState => {
  console.log('State updated:', newState);
});

dispatchAction({ type: 'LOGIN' });
dispatchAction({ type: 'ADD_NOTIFICATION', payload: 'Welcome!' });

unsubscribe();
console.log('Unsubscribed from updates.');

Consuming the Global Store

Now, imagine different Micro Frontends needing to react to changes in this global store. They would use the getSharedState and subscribe functions.

This example demonstrates how two 'virtual' MFEs could interact with the shared store, reacting to updates.

let sharedState = { userStatus: 'loggedOut', notifications: [] };
const subscribers = [];

function getSharedState() { return sharedState; }
function dispatchAction(action) {
  switch (action.type) {
    case 'LOGIN': sharedState = { ...sharedState, userStatus: 'loggedIn' }; break;
    case 'ADD_NOTIFICATION': sharedState = { ...sharedState, notifications: [...sharedState.notifications, action.payload] }; break;
    case 'LOGOUT': sharedState = { ...sharedState, userStatus: 'loggedOut' }; break;
    default: return;
  }
  subscribers.forEach(cb => cb(sharedState));
}
function subscribe(callback) {
  subscribers.push(callback);
  return () => { const index = subscribers.indexOf(callback); if (index > -1) subscribers.splice(index, 1); };
}

// --- MFE A (e.g., Header Component) ---
function handleUserStatusChange(state) {
  console.log('MFE A: User status is now', state.userStatus);
}
const unsubscribeMFEA = subscribe(handleUserStatusChange);

// --- MFE B (e.g., Notification Bell) ---
function handleNotificationsChange(state) {
  console.log('MFE B: Notifications:', state.notifications.length);
}
const unsubscribeMFEB = subscribe(handleNotificationsChange);

// Simulate actions from other MFEs or host
dispatchAction({ type: 'LOGIN' });
dispatchAction({ type: 'ADD_NOTIFICATION', payload: 'New message!' });
dispatchAction({ type: 'LOGOUT' });

unsubscribeMFEA();
unsubscribeMFEB();

React Context API for MFEs

If your Micro Frontends are all built with React, the Context API can be a powerful way to share state. A Context provides a way to pass data through the component tree without having to pass props down manually at every level.

Create a Context in a shared library or a host MFE.
Expose this Context via Module Federation.
Remote MFEs can then consume this Context directly.

This approach works well when all federated applications are within the same React ecosystem.

Sharing React Context (Concept)

To share React Context, you'd typically:

Define Context: Create MyContext.js in a shared utility MFE.
Expose Context: Use Module Federation to expose MyContext.Provider and useContext(MyContext).
Provide Context: The host MFE (or a parent MFE) wraps its children (including remote MFEs) with the <MyContext.Provider value={...}>.
Consume Context: Any remote MFE can then import and use useContext(MyContext) to access the shared state.

This allows a deeply nested component in a remote MFE to access state provided by a parent MFE.

Question: Shared State Benefits

You've learned about various approaches to managing shared state in Micro Frontends.

Which of the following is a primary benefit of implementing robust shared state management in a Micro Frontend architecture?

Recap: Shared State Management

We've explored key strategies for managing shared state in Micro Frontends:

Need: Essential for consistent user experience and data flow across independent MFEs.
Challenges: Maintaining isolation, framework compatibility, and managing complexity.
Simple Methods: Local Storage for basic, non-reactive data.
Centralized Stores: Using patterns like Redux to create a single source of truth, accessible by all MFEs.
React Context: An effective solution for sharing state when all MFEs are within the React ecosystem.

Choosing the right strategy depends on your team's needs, framework choices, and the complexity of the shared data.

Frequently asked questions

Is the “Shared State Management” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Shared State Management” is free to read here on the web, and the Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “Shared State Management”?

Explore strategies for managing shared state across federated applications, such as Redux or Context API. You practise Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation?

No prior experience is required. Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 2 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “Shared State Management” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation lesson?

Yes. Every Micro Frontends Architecture with Module Federation lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

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