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Frontend Glossary

Frontend engineering · Rendering

Client-Side Rendering

Also called: CSR, Browser rendering, SPA rendering

The browser downloads a mostly empty shell plus JS, then fetches data and builds the UI on the client; first paint depends on JS finishing.

In detail

CSR is the classic SPA path: the server gives a shell; routing and page content live in browser JS. DX is simple and hosting can be static, but first paint and SEO are usually weaker than SSR/SSG.

It fits interactive admin tools and logged-in app shells. Public marketing pages and share cards more often want SSR/SSG, or at least prerender on critical routes.

Versus Hydration: CSR doesn't ship full HTML up front; SSR does, then hydrates. Pick based on audience and SEO—not what's newest.

Developer info
Term ID
eng-csr
DOM selectors
No DOM cues. This concept isn't detected directly on a page.
Priority
1 · when several match at the same level, the higher priority wins
Version
v1 · updated Oct 5, 2026