Minimize Dependencies

          
            ## Guidelines for Minimizing Dependencies

Dependencies are external code packages that your application relies on. While helpful, each dependency increases complexity, security risk, and potential for issues. This guide helps manage them effectively.

1. **Core Principles:**

   - Prefer native language/platform features over third-party libraries
   - Choose dependencies with purpose, not convenience
   - Evaluate each dependency for its necessity, quality, and maintenance burden
   - Understand the full cost of each dependency (size, security, maintenance)
   - Don't reinvent the wheel for complex, specialized functionality

2. **Before Adding a Dependency:**

   - **Necessity Check:** Can this be accomplished with native APIs? Is the functionality essential?
   - **Evaluation Criteria:**
     - Package size and impact on bundle
     - Active maintenance and community support
     - Security history and vulnerability reports
     - Documentation quality and completeness
     - License compatibility
     - Number of sub-dependencies

3. **Implementation Strategies:**

   - Use modern JavaScript/TypeScript features over utility libraries
   - Create focused utility functions instead of importing large libraries
   - Consider copying small, well-tested functions instead of importing an entire library
   - Use browser-native APIs (fetch, localStorage, etc.) when available
   - Implement simple solutions in-house for basic functionality

4. **Managing Existing Dependencies:**

   - Regularly audit dependencies with `npm audit` or similar tools
   - Remove unused dependencies (tools like `depcheck` can help)
   - Keep dependencies updated to secure versions
   - Consider dependency consolidation (use one solution consistently)
   - Document why each non-obvious dependency is needed

5. **Framework-Specific Considerations:**

   - For React, prefer hooks and built-in features over external state management for simpler apps
   - For styling, consider native CSS features before adding styling libraries
   - For UI components, evaluate if building simpler components yourself is more maintainable

6. **Benefits of Dependency Minimization:**

   - Smaller bundle sizes and faster load times
   - Reduced security vulnerabilities
   - Easier upgrades and maintenance
   - Better control over application behavior
   - Simplified debugging and troubleshooting

7. **Balanced Approach:**
   - It's about mindful selection, not avoiding all dependencies
   - For complex, well-established problems, quality libraries often provide better solutions
   - Consider the development time vs. maintenance trade-off

By minimizing dependencies, you create a leaner, more maintainable, and more secure application that you truly understand and control.