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Missed the talk? No stress!
Here’s a quick catch-up on a timely and thought-provoking discussion around local-first architecture and what tools, like TanStack DB, are bringing to the table.
In this slightly different, Q&A-style session, Schalk unpacked the growing interest in local-first systems, especially in light of recent cloud outages, and explored whether we’ve become too dependent on centralised infrastructure. Rather than advocating for “no servers”, the talk reframed the conversation: what if the client was the primary place where logic and data live, and the server simply plays a supporting role?
We also touched on the origins of the local-first concept (from the Ink & Switch research paper), the risks of misusing the term, and how it differs from “offline-first”. From there, the conversation moved into TanStack DB, a new entrant aiming to simplify how we manage state, sync data, and build responsive applications.
Schalk highlighted how TanStack DB introduces concepts like collections and live queries, enabling developers to work with data in a more reactive, declarative way, without the usual overhead of manual state management, API orchestration, and syncing logic.
Key Takeaways
Local-first is not serverless
It’s about shifting responsibility, not removing the backend. Servers still exist, but they support rather than control the system.Start with local constraints
Like mobile-first design, local-first encourages you to prioritise what can run on the client before reaching for the cloud.Improved developer experience
Tools like TanStack DB reduce complexity by handling syncing and state updates automatically, leading to simpler, more maintainable code.Performance gains are significant
Incremental diffing and reactive queries allow large datasets to feel instant and responsive.The ecosystem is still evolving
With tools like ElectricSQL, RxDB, and PowerSync emerging, the space is exciting but not yet standardised, expect rapid change.
If you’re curious about building faster, more resilient applications, or just want to better understand where frontend architecture is heading, this session is well worth your time.
Watch the full session
👉 Watch the full talk on FEDSA’s YouTube channel to see concepts in action, including demos and deeper discussions around trade-offs and real-world use cases.
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