Understanding Zustand and Micro Frontend

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 51 views

I have a problem using Zustand shared stores in my microfrontend project

Discussion category: Next.js, Micro Frontend, Zustand, Nx Monorepo

Additional information: I have a problem when compiling my project, it is a microfrontend with Nx, Next.js, Module-federation and Zustand, which for some reason when I run my main site, it gives me the following message:

Error Message

The error message is quite cryptic and doesn't provide much information about the root cause of the issue. However, it seems to be related to the shared stores in Zustand. Let's dive deeper into the problem and explore possible solutions.

Understanding Zustand and Micro Frontend

Zustand is a state management library for React that provides a simple and efficient way to manage global state. It's designed to work well with React and provides a lot of features out of the box, such as automatic state serialization and deserialization, and support for multiple stores.

Micro Frontend is an architecture pattern that allows multiple independent applications to be composed together to form a larger application. Each application is a separate entity that can be developed, tested, and deployed independently. This approach provides a lot of benefits, such as improved scalability, flexibility, and maintainability.

The Problem with Shared Stores in Zustand

When using Zustand in a micro frontend project, one of the challenges is managing shared stores across multiple applications. Zustand provides a way to share stores between applications using the create function, which returns a store instance that can be used across multiple applications.

However, when using Module-federation, which is a part of the Nx Monorepo, the shared stores in Zustand can cause issues when compiling the project. The error message suggests that there's a problem with the shared stores, but it's not clear what the root cause is.

Possible Solutions

After researching the issue, I found a few possible solutions that might help resolve the problem:

1. Use a different state management library

One possible solution is to use a different state management library that's designed to work well with micro frontend architecture. Some popular alternatives to Zustand include Redux, MobX, and React Context.

2. Use a custom store implementation

Another possible solution is to implement a custom store using a library like Redux or MobX. This approach provides more control over the store implementation and can help resolve issues related to shared stores.

3. Use a store proxy

A store proxy is a library that provides a way to proxy the shared store across multiple applications. This approach can help resolve issues related to shared stores and provide a more scalable solution.

4. Use a different approach to shared stores

Finally, another possible solution is to use a different approach to shared stores. Instead of using a shared store, each application can manage its own state and communicate with other applications using APIs or message passing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the problem with shared stores in Zustand in a micro frontend project with Nx, Next.js, Module-federation is a complex issue that requires a deep understanding of the underlying technologies. By exploring possible solutions, such as using a different state management library, custom store implementation, store proxy, or different approach to shared stores, we can resolve the issue and provide a more scalable and maintainable solution.

Example Use Case

Here's an example use case that demonstrates how to use Zustand in a micro frontend project with Nx, Next.js, and Module-federation:

// store.js
import create from 'zustand';

const useStore = create((set) => ({
  count: 0,
  increment: () => set((state) => ({ count: state.count + 1 })),
}));

export default useStore;

// app1.js
import useStore from '../store';

const App1 = () => {
  const { count, increment } = useStore();

  return (
    <div>
      <p>Count: {count}</p>
      <button onClick={increment}>Increment</button>
    </div>
  );
};

export default App1;

// app2.js
import useStore from '../store';

const App2 = () => {
  const { count, increment } = useStore();

  return (
    <div>
      <p>Count: {count}</p>
      <button onClick={increment}>Increment</button>
    </div>
  );
};

export default App2;

In this example, we create a shared store using Zustand and use it across multiple applications. Each application has access to the shared store and can update it using the increment function.

Future Work

In the future, I plan to explore more solutions to this problem, such as using a store proxy or a different approach to shared stores. I also plan to provide more examples and use cases to demonstrate the usage of Zustand in a micro frontend project with Nx, Next.js, and Module-federation.

References

Zustand documentation
Micro Frontend documentation
Nx Monorepo documentation
Module-federation documentation
I have a problem using Zustand shared stores in my microfrontend project

Discussion category: Next.js, Micro Frontend, Zustand, Nx Monorepo

Error Message

Understanding Zustand and Micro Frontend

The Problem with Shared Stores in Zustand

Q&A

Q: What is the root cause of the issue with shared stores in Zustand?

A: The root cause of the issue is likely related to the way Module-federation handles shared stores in Zustand. Module-federation is designed to work with multiple applications, but it can cause issues when dealing with shared stores.

Q: How can I resolve the issue with shared stores in Zustand?

A: There are several possible solutions to this issue, including using a different state management library, implementing a custom store, using a store proxy, or using a different approach to shared stores.

Q: What are some possible solutions to the issue with shared stores in Zustand?

A: Some possible solutions include:

Using a different state management library, such as Redux or MobX
Implementing a custom store using a library like Redux or MobX
Using a store proxy to proxy the shared store across multiple applications
Using a different approach to shared stores, such as using APIs or message passing

Q: How can I implement a custom store using a library like Redux or MobX?

A: Implementing a custom store using a library like Redux or MobX requires a good understanding of the library and its APIs. You can start by reading the documentation and examples provided by the library, and then experiment with different implementations to find one that works for your use case.

Q: What are some best practices for managing shared stores in a micro frontend project?

A: Some best practices for managing shared stores in a micro frontend project include:

Using a consistent naming convention for shared stores
Using a clear and consistent API for accessing shared stores
Implementing a store proxy to proxy the shared store across multiple applications
Using a different approach to shared stores, such as using APIs or message passing

Example Use Case

Here's an example use case that demonstrates how to use Zustand in a micro frontend project with Nx, Next.js, and Module-federation:

// store.js
import create from 'zustand';

const useStore = create((set) => ({
  count: 0,
  increment: () => set((state) => ({ count: state.count + 1 })),
}));

export default useStore;

// app1.js
import useStore from '../store';

const App1 = () => {
  const { count, increment } = useStore();

  return (
    <div>
      <p>Count: {count}</p>
      <button onClick={increment}>Increment</button>
    </div>
  );
};

export default App1;

// app2.js
import useStore from '../store';

const App2 = () => {
  const { count, increment } = useStore();

  return (
    <div>
      <p>Count: {count}</p>
      <button onClick={increment}>Increment</button>
    </div>
  );
};

export default App2;

In this example, we create a shared store using Zustand and use it across multiple applications. Each application has access to the shared store and can update it using the increment function.