Modern web development can sometimes feel like a maze. Developers spend more time managing state, configuring build tools like Webpack, and debugging frameworks than actually building features. For example, the core React library (React + ReactDOM) weighs under 50kB, but that’s before adding routing, state management, and other key features.

htmx offers a lightweight solution. At just 14k minified and gzipped, it provides a simple, server-driven alternative to heavy JavaScript frameworks. htmx extends HTML with intuitive attributes, enabling AJAX interactions and seamless CSS transitions.
In brief:

• htmx is a lightweight alternative (14k minified and gzipped) to JavaScript frameworks that often exceed 100kB before adding essential functionality.
• Unlike complex component hierarchies, htmx extends standard HTML with dynamic capabilities through a simple attribute-based model.
• htmx returns HTML fragments instead of JSON, embracing the web's hypermedia model while enabling modern interactivity.
• Teams report up to 67% smaller codebases when switching from React to htmx, while maintaining the same functionality.

What Is htmx?

htmx is a lightweight JavaScript library (about 9kB minified and gzipped) that extends HTML with dynamic capabilities through simple attributes. Unlike React, Vue, and Angular, which rely on JavaScript-heavy architectures exceeding 100kB, htmx allows you to build interactive applications by adding hx-* attributes directly to HTML markup.

The key architectural difference is that traditional frameworks push logic to the client, enforcing component-based designs. In contrast, htmx keeps the server in control and works with HTML and hypermedia interactions, returning to the web's original design, now enhanced with modern features.

htmx reintroduces hypermedia as the core of application state, where servers return HTML fragments instead of JSON, and markup defines interactive behavior. This approach delivers dynamic features without the added complexity.

Here’s how htmx compares to traditional frameworks:

Although there are many top JavaScript frameworks available, htmx provides a lightweight alternative that emphasizes simplicity and efficiency. The server sends HTML fragments, templates handle rendering, and HTML defines interactions. This server-centric model delivers SPA-like interactivity while working with existing web development skills.

Why Mastering htmx Solves Common JavaScript Framework Problems

JavaScript frameworks have become the default for building modern web apps, but they’re not always the right tool for the job. When you’re maintaining thousands of lines of JavaScript just to handle forms, tables, and basic interactivity, it’s fair to ask: Is all this complexity really necessary?

That’s where htmx comes in. It offers a different model, one that brings interactivity back to the server and puts HTML at the center of your application. With just a few attributes (hx-get, hx-post, hx-swap, etc.), you can build dynamic, responsive interfaces without the weight of a full frontend framework.

Shrinking JavaScript Without Sacrificing Interactivity

Frameworks like React and Vue often ship 100kB+ just for their core libraries. htmx, by contrast, comes in at just 14kB minified and gzipped. In practice, developers migrating parts of their UI—from modals to complex forms—have reported significant reductions in custom JavaScript, sometimes eliminating thousands of lines while keeping the same functionality.

But htmx doesn’t just reduce bundle size—it eliminates the need for virtual DOM diffing, component lifecycles, and client-side state orchestration. The result is faster page loads, less code to debug, and a lighter mental model for building user interfaces.

Shifting Logic Back to the Server

Instead of sending JSON and rebuilding UIs on the client, htmx encourages a server-first architecture: send HTML from the backend, and htmx swaps it into the page. This makes applications easier to build, easier to test, and easier to maintain.

You also get better SEO and performance by default. There’s no client-side rendering bottleneck—just pre-rendered, crawlable content served directly from your backend. Business logic stays centralized, validation is handled once, and you’re not duplicating effort across layers.

Using Built-in Tools Instead of Boilerplate

With htmx, core interactivity patterns are built in. Want to load content into a div on click? Use hx-get. Want to submit a form and update just a portion of the page? Use hx-post and hx-swap. Need real-time updates? htmx supports WebSockets and Server-Sent Events without additional libraries.

This approach replaces fetch calls, routers, and state managers with native-feeling HTML enhancements. You get interactivity without reaching for complex tooling—or writing boilerplate to glue everything together.

Introducing htmx Without Rewriting Everything

One of htmx’s biggest strengths is how easily it fits into existing projects. You don’t need to throw away your frontend or migrate your entire architecture. You can drop htmx into a single form, table, or modal—and leave the rest of your app unchanged.

It works with any backend that returns HTML: Django, Laravel, Rails, Go, Node.js, and more. And when you do need additional interactivity, htmx plays well with Alpine.js, vanilla JavaScript, or small custom enhancements.

Debugging with Less Guesswork

Because htmx relies on HTML over HTTP, debugging is refreshingly straightforward. You’re not stepping through synthetic component trees or reconciling frontend and backend state. You’re inspecting actual requests and actual responses—what you send is what the browser renders.

This clarity extends to maintenance, too. Teams spend less time syncing data across layers and more time improving actual user-facing features.

Understanding htmx's Core Concepts

Three key concepts make mastering htmx distinctive: its attribute-driven approach, server-driven updates, and declarative UI patterns. Understanding these will reveal why htmx feels natural to HTML developers while delivering modern web app interactivity.

htmx's Attribute-Driven Approach for Extensibility

htmx works through custom HTML attributes that extend existing markup with dynamic capabilities. The core AJAX attributes—hx-get, hx-post, hx-put, hx-patch, and hx-delete—map directly to HTTP methods. Each attribute transforms ordinary HTML elements into interactive components that communicate with the server.

Any element can trigger an AJAX request:

1<button hx-get="/api/users" hx-target="#user-list">Load Users</button>
2<div id="user-list">Users will appear here</div>

The hx-target attribute specifies where the server's response gets inserted, while hx-swap controls insertion behavior. No fetch() calls, no DOM manipulation, no callback management.

The library supports all HTTP methods (hx-post, hx-put, hx-delete) with modifiers like hx-trigger for event control and hx-indicator for loading states. It also provides direct access to WebSockets and Server-Sent Events through HTML attributes, enabling real-time features without writing WebSocket JavaScript.

Server-Driven Updates with htmx for Building Web Apps

Unlike JavaScript frameworks that expect JSON responses, htmx expects HTML fragments from the server. This aligns perfectly with server-side rendering and allows using existing templating systems. When a user clicks "Load Users," the server returns HTML like this:

1<ul>
2  <li>John Doe</li>
3  <li>Jane Smith</li>
4  <li>Bob Johnson</li>
5</ul>

This server-driven model keeps rendering logic where it belongs—on the server. For e-commerce projects, you can use a headless CMS for e-commerce to improve content management alongside htmx.

Declarative UI Updates for Extensible Applications

HTML serves as both content and behavior specification. When adding hx-get="/api/data" to an element, it declares that this element should fetch data from that endpoint. This eliminates the disconnect between markup and behavior that affects JavaScript-heavy applications.

This declarative model makes code more maintainable and easier to understand. Properly organized HTML creates sophisticated interactive features without complex JavaScript event handlers or state management code. The behavior self-documents right in the HTML, making it easier for team members to understand and modify application functionality.

How to Build Your First htmx Web App in 3 Steps

htmx allows you to build dynamic web applications with minimal effort, using simple HTML attributes to add interactivity without the need for JavaScript frameworks. Here's how you can build a basic yet powerful web app using htmx in just three easy steps.

Step 1: Add htmx to Your Project

The first step to using htmx in your project is adding the htmx library to your HTML. The easiest way to get started is to include the following script tag in the <head> section of your HTML document:

1<script src="https://unpkg.com/htmx.org@1.9.10"></script>

This method is quick and straightforward, especially for prototypes or small projects. You can link to the CDN (Content Delivery Network) to instantly access the latest version of htmx without worrying about local installation.

For production applications, you may want to consider alternative methods for better control over your dependencies. If you’re using npm (Node Package Manager), you can install htmx locally to your project with the following command:

1npm install htmx.org

This ensures you have a specific version of htmx integrated into your project, which you can manage with your other dependencies. It’s a good option if you’re already working within a Node.js environment or prefer version-controlled installations.

Step 2: Build a Dynamic Search Interface

htmx provides an easy way to build dynamic, interactive search interfaces with minimal JavaScript. Instead of relying on large frameworks, htmx allows you to send requests and update parts of the page using simple HTML attributes. Here’s a complete working example demonstrating htmx’s core pattern in building a dynamic search interface:

1<!DOCTYPE html>
2<html>
3<head>
4    <script src="https://unpkg.com/htmx.org@1.9.10"></script>
5    <title>Dynamic Search with htmx</title>
6</head>
7<body>
8    <h1>Product Search</h1>
9    
10    <input type="search" 
11           name="search" 
12           hx-get="/search" 
13           hx-trigger="keyup changed delay:500ms" 
14           hx-target="#search-results"
15           placeholder="Search products...">
16    
17    <div id="search-results"></div>
18</body>
19</html>

The search input makes GET requests to /search after each keystroke, with a 500ms delay to prevent server spam. Results are automatically inserted into the #search-results div.

The server endpoint returns HTML fragments, not JSON:

1app.get('/search', (req, res) => {
2    const query = req.query.search || '';
3    const results = searchProducts(query);
4    
5    let html = '';
6    results.forEach(product => {
7        html += `<div class="product">
8                    <h3>${product.name}</h3>
9                    <p>$${product.price}</p>
10                 </div>`;
11    });
12    
13    res.send(html);
14});

When building extensible applications, consider the multilingual CMS benefits to enhance user experience across different regions.

Step 3: Add Forms and Real-Time Updates: Htmx Doesn't Reload​

Now that you've implemented dynamic search functionality, it’s time to extend your htmx-powered application with real-time updates and form handling. One of the key advantages of using htmx is its ability to handle form submissions without page reloads, which provides a smoother user experience. Thus, htmx doesn't reload. This benefit allows you to build interactive web applications where users can submit forms, get immediate feedback, and experience seamless updates on the same page. In this step, you’ll learn how to build and handle a contact form, as well as optimize performance by implementing lazy loading for content that loads as users scroll.

Here’s an example of a simple contact form with real-time submission:

1<form hx-post="/contact" 
2      hx-target="#form-response" 
3      hx-swap="outerHTML">
4    <div>
5        <label for="name">Name:</label>
6        <input type="text" name="name" id="name" required>
7    </div>
8    <div>
9        <label for="email">Email:</label>
10        <input type="email" name="email" id="email" required>
11    </div>
12        <div>
13        <label for="message">Message:</label>
14        <textarea name="message" id="message" required></textarea>
15    </div>
16    <button type="submit">Send Message</button>
17</form>
18
19<div id="form-response"></div>

Handle validation and responses on the server:

1app.post('/contact', (req, res) => {
2    const { name, email, message } = req.body;
3    
4    if (!name || !email || !message) {
5        return res.send(`
6            <div class="error">
7                <p>All fields are required!</p>
8                <button hx-get="/contact-form" hx-target="#form-response">Try Again</button>
9            </div>
10        `);
11    }
12    
13    processContactForm(name, email, message);
14    
15    res.send(`
16        <div class="success">
17            <p>Thank you, ${name}! Your message has been sent.</p>
18        </div>
19    `);
20});

For performance optimization, implement lazy loading for content that loads on scroll:

1<div hx-get="/load-more-products" 
2     hx-trigger="revealed" 
3     hx-indicator="#loading">
4</div>
5<div id="loading" class="htmx-indicator">Loading more products...</div>

These patterns work with Python/Flask, Ruby on Rails, PHP, or any server that returns HTML. You're sending HTML over HTTP—the way web apps have always worked, but with modern interactivity. Alternatively, you can build with Strapi and JavaScript for more extensive projects.

How to Optimize htmx Performance for Production Apps

Production htmx applications require more than just basic implementation—they need tailored optimization strategies to ensure fast, efficient performance. Below are several techniques to optimize htmx for production environments, ensuring smoother user experiences and improved efficiency.

Debounce Input and Minimize Payloads

One of the first things to consider is minimizing request payloads. Instead of sending entire pages with every request, target specific DOM fragments to update, reducing bandwidth and speeding up response times. This makes your application more efficient, especially when dealing with dynamic content.

Debouncing user input is also critical to avoid request storms. For instance, when implementing a search feature, you can use the following code to delay requests until the user has stopped typing for a set period:

1<input type="search" 
2       name="search" 
3       hx-get="/search" 
4       hx-trigger="keyup changed delay:500ms" 
5       hx-target="#search-results"
6       hx-indicator="#loading"
7       placeholder="Search...">
8<div id="loading" class="htmx-indicator">Searching...</div>
9<div id="search-results"></div>

The delay:500ms modifier ensures that requests are sent only after the user has paused typing, preventing unnecessary server calls and enhancing performance. The hx-indicator provides loading feedback to keep the user informed while the request is being processed.

Additionally, set HTTP cache headers for static fragments to cache content effectively. Implement server-side caching, using tools like Redis or Memcached, to store frequently requested HTML fragments and serve them faster, reducing load times for repeated requests.

For applications built with Strapi and htmx, follow performance best practices for Strapi to optimize your site's efficiency further.

Scale with Lazy Loading and Out-of-Band Updates

Lazy loading is another excellent strategy for optimizing performance. This technique only loads content when it's required, reducing initial page load times and improving overall performance. Use the revealed trigger to implement lazy loading, ensuring that content is only loaded when it becomes visible in the user's viewport:

1<div hx-get="/load-more-content" 
2     hx-trigger="revealed" 
3     hx-target="this">
4  Content loads when visible
5</div>

In addition to lazy loading, out-of-band updates allow you to update multiple page sections with a single request, reducing the number of round-trips needed. This is particularly useful for operations like updating notification counters, status indicators, or related content areas, allowing them to be updated simultaneously without reloading the entire page. Hence, htmx doesn't reload​

Start Building Better Web Apps by Mastering htmx

Mastering htmx offers a simpler, more efficient alternative to JavaScript-heavy frameworks, providing reduced complexity, improved performance, and more maintainable code. With a 67% codebase reduction compared to traditional frameworks, htmx saves developers time and boosts productivity.

htmx brings HTML back as the primary interface for web applications, giving you access to modern browser features without unnecessary complexity. Despite its small 10k minified library, htmx enables full interactivity without the overhead of larger frameworks, striking the perfect balance between functionality and simplicity.

Consider using htmx in your next project, even if it's just for one feature. Start small by enhancing a form submission or adding dynamic content loading. With comprehensive documentation and practical examples, getting started is quick and easy.

htmx shows that the best way forward often involves returning to HTML’s core principles, updated to meet the demands of today’s web.

Start building better web apps today. Explore Strapi for a headless CMS that pairs seamlessly with htmx for modern, dynamic web development. With Strapi Cloud, manage your projects with ease while scaling effortlessly in the cloud.

Download: Community Edition

Begin our journey with our Quick Start Guide. Click below to get started!

• Get started