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How to Design App Architecture
Start with Requirements
Before drawing boxes, list your functional requirements (features), non-functional requirements (performance, security, scale), and constraints (budget, timeline, team skills). Architecture decisions should be driven by concrete needs, not trends.
Choose the Right Level of Complexity
A simple app with 3-5 screens and basic CRUD needs a monolith with one database. A moderate app with real-time features and integrations benefits from a BaaS like Supabase. Only go microservices if you have multiple teams and distinct scaling requirements.
Design for Data Flow
Trace how data moves from user input to storage and back. Identify synchronous flows (API calls) and asynchronous flows (background jobs, webhooks). This reveals where you need caching, queues, or event-driven architecture.
Plan for Authentication Early
Auth touches every layer of your app. Decide early between JWT vs session-based auth, where tokens are stored on mobile, and how you handle refresh flows. Using a provider like Supabase Auth or Firebase Auth saves months of security work.
Document and Iterate
Your architecture diagram is a living document. Start simple, deploy, measure, and add complexity only when metrics justify it. Over-engineering upfront is as costly as under-engineering. The best architecture is one you can change.
Common Architecture Patterns
Choose the pattern that matches your app complexity and team size.
| Pattern | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monolith | MVPs, small teams | Simple deployment, easy debugging | Hard to scale individually |
| BaaS (Supabase) | Most mobile apps | Fast setup, built-in auth/storage | Less control over backend logic |
| Serverless | Event-driven apps | Auto-scaling, pay-per-use | Cold starts, vendor lock-in |
| Microservices | Large teams, complex domains | Independent scaling, tech flexibility | Operational complexity, distributed debugging |
| Event-Driven | Real-time apps, data pipelines | Loose coupling, async processing | Harder to trace flows, eventual consistency |
Choosing Your Tech Stack
Frontend: React Native + Expo
The gold standard for cross-platform mobile development. Single codebase for iOS and Android with near-native performance. Expo provides managed builds, OTA updates, and a rich ecosystem of native modules without touching Xcode or Android Studio.
Backend: Supabase
PostgreSQL database, authentication, file storage, real-time subscriptions, and edge functions in one platform. Eliminates months of backend setup. Open source with no vendor lock-in — you can always migrate to self-hosted PostgreSQL.
State Management: React Query + Zustand
React Query handles server state (API data, caching, background refetching) while Zustand manages client-only state (UI toggles, form state). This separation keeps your code clean and avoids the complexity of Redux for most apps.
Navigation: Expo Router
File-based routing for React Native, similar to Next.js App Router. Supports deep linking, tab navigation, stack navigation, and modals out of the box. Type-safe routes and automatic linking configuration.
Styling: NativeWind
Tailwind CSS for React Native. Write familiar utility classes that compile to native styles. Supports dark mode, responsive layouts, and custom themes with zero runtime overhead.