Your React App Doesn't Need All That JavaScript

React Summit

React Summit 2026

Jemima

Should we be using a state management library to toggle dark mode? Do we really need a custom hook for opening an accordion? And how many event listeners is too many when animating on scroll? React gives us an incredibly powerful way to build UI, but not every UI behaviour needs React level machinery. In this talk, we’ll take a look at how to use HTML and CSS to build simpler alternatives to common interactive components such as accordions, modals, scroll transitions, carousels etc We’ll also take a look at the performance and accessibility benefits and real-life applications and use-cases of these components.  The goal is to simplify how we handle content, display and animation using native browser features and leaving React to do what it's best at: everything else.