Micro Frontends with Module Federation

Module Federation, introduced in Webpack 5, enables true micro frontends by allowing applications to dynamically load code from other builds at runtime. Unlike previous micro frontend approaches that required build-time integration or iframe isolation, Module Federation lets teams deploy independently while maintaining a seamless user experience. The architecture involves a host application that consumes components from remote applications. Each remote exposes specific modules (React components, services, utilities) while maintaining its own dependencies. Configuration is declarative—remotes specify what they expose, the host specifies what it consumes. The runtime loads remote code on-demand, sharing dependencies to avoid duplication. Implementation uses Webpack's ModuleFederationPlugin, with configuration in webpack.config.js. Shared dependencies prevent version conflicts—React, for example, loads once and is shared across all remotes. The approach enables independent team workflows: each micro frontend has its own repository, CI/CD pipeline, and deployment schedule. The host composes them into a unified interface. Challenges include coordinating shared dependencies, handling version mismatches, and maintaining consistent user experience across independently deployed pieces. Tools like Nx provide workspace support for managing federated modules. For large organizations with multiple frontend teams, Module Federation offers the most practical path to scalable frontend architecture, balancing independence with integration.