How Do You Upgrade from CRA to a Modern React Stack?

Apr 28, 2025 |

13 minutes read

Why do we need to update Create React App?

Create React App (CRA) is one of the most popular ways to set up a modern React project with no build configuration hassle. However, like any technology, keeping it updated is critical for performance, security, and developer experience. For React Native development services working across both web and mobile platforms, staying up-to-date with the latest versions of CRA ensures better cross-platform compatibility and improved development processes. In this article, we’ll explain why updating Create React App is necessary and how it directly benefits your web applications and development workflow.

Security Improvements

The web evolves fast, and so do security threats. Every new version of Create React App updates important dependencies like Webpack, Babel, ESLint, and others that could have vulnerabilities. By updating CRA, you protect your app from known security risks that hackers might exploit in older versions.

Your React app stays compliant with modern security standards — essential for user trust and business credibility.

Better Performance and Optimizations

New versions of CRA come with improvements that make your apps load faster and run smoother.

Smaller bundle sizes – CRA updates often optimize how your JavaScript and assets are compiled.

Improved caching – Faster repeat visits for your users.

Modern JavaScript features — Like tree-shaking and code splitting, which help improve app speed without extra work.

In a world where website speed directly impacts SEO and conversions, these optimizations are crucial for your business success.

Access to New Features

React itself evolves quickly. New CRA versions make it easier to use the latest:

React Hooks
Concurrent Mode
Suspense for Data Fetching
New JSX Transform

Updating Create React App unlocks the newest React features automatically, helping your app stay ahead of competitors.

Preparing Your Project for Vite Migration

Before you can fully enjoy the speed and simplicity of Vite, a few important changes are needed to adapt your existing React project structure. These updates involve modifying your project’s core files, such as package.json and index.html, to match Vite’s lightweight and modern setup. Below, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to clean up your configuration and prepare your app for a seamless Vite-powered experience.

Clean up package.json

In package.json, there is given below

Now need to update the following with the given code.

“script”: {
“start”: “vite”,
“dev”: “vite”,
“build”: “vite build”,
“preview”: “vite preview”,
},

Renaming the index.html to the project root level

Move public/index.html to the root, and update it:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang=”en”>
<head>
<meta charset=”UTF-8″ />
<title>Vite React App</title>
</head>

<body>
<div id=”root”></div>
<script type=”module” src=”/src/index.js”></script>
</body>

</html>

src/index.jsx

import React from ‘react’
import ReactDOM from react-dom/client’
import App from ‘./App’
import ‘./index.css’
ReactDOM.createRoot(document.getElementById(‘root’)).render(
<React.StrictMode>
<App />
</React.StrictMode>
)

Migrate Create React App to Next.js

Next.js is one of the framework for the web in React.js. Next.js is used by big companies. It is helpful for a high-quality web app to use the React component.

Create a Next.js App using the terminal:

Go to your directory, which you have to create for the next JS project. Then write the following commands on your terminal.

npx create-next-app@latest my-next-app

After running this command, the project is successfully created, and then we have to change the directory by using the command below.

cd my-next-app

Then we have to use this command to run the project locally.

npm run dev

Migration Steps from CRA to Next.js

Step 1: Move code from the create-react-app src files

You need to update the App.js file, following the next.js app/page.js

This configuration guarantees that your discounts and segmentation tactics run smoothly in the background, which is an essential function for any Shopify development company that oversees numerous clients.

After updating this code, your app.js file becomes the home page next. Js

Step 2: File-based Routing

In Next.js, we don’t need to use react-router-dom.

In CRA, we used it like this :

<Route path=”/dashboard” element={<Dashboard />} />

Instead of this, in React.js, we can use it like this; we don’t need to define routes directly with the folder and file structure; we can use it like this:
app/
dashboard/
page.js
In page.js, we can write like this:
export default function Dashboard() {
return <h2>Dashboard Page</h2>
}

Step 3: Static Assets (Images, Public Folder)

Keep static files like logo.png in the public/ folder.
<img src=”/logo.png” />
In Next.js, there is an option to optimize the image loading time using something like this:
import Image from ‘next/image’
<Image src=”/logo.png” alt=”Logo” width={200} height={200} />

Step 4: Update the .env file

In the React app, we used the .env variables like this:
REACT_APP_API_URL=https://api.example.com
Now, in Next.js, we have to update the .env variables like this.
NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL=https://api.example.com
It is accessible like this.
const url = process.env. NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL

Upgrade Your React App to Boost Performance & Security

The Way Forward

Upgrading from Create React App to a modern React stack like Vite or Next.js offers a wealth of benefits, including improved performance, enhanced security, access to the latest features, and a smoother developer experience. By making these updates, you ensure that your React applications are optimized, scalable, and ready for the challenges web development environment. For React Native development services and React Native app development, these improvements also enhance cross-platform compatibility, making it easier to create high-quality mobile and web apps with unified development processes. Embrace the latest technologies and stay ahead of the curve with faster builds, better security, and a seamless development experience.

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Mayur Dosi

Apr 28 2025

I am Assistant Project Manager at iFlair, specializing in PHP, Laravel, CodeIgniter, Symphony, JavaScript, JS frameworks ,Python, and DevOps. With extensive experience in web development and cloud infrastructure, I play a key role in managing and delivering high-quality software solutions. I am Passionate about technology, automation, and scalable architectures, I am ensures seamless project execution, bridging the gap between development and operations. I am adept at leading teams, optimizing workflows, and integrating cutting-edge solutions to enhance performance and efficiency. Project planning and good strategy to manage projects tasks and deliver to clients on time. Easy to adopt new technologies learn and work on it as per the new requirments and trends. When not immersed in code and project planning, I am enjoy exploring the latest advancements in AI, cloud computing, and open-source technologies.