Common SPFx Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
1,322 words, 7 minutes read time.
Introduction
If you’ve spent any time building web parts in SharePoint, you know the SharePoint Framework (SPFx) is both a blessing and a curse. It’s like wielding a high-performance engine: in the right hands, it can power sleek, modern SharePoint experiences; in the wrong hands, it’s a ticking time bomb of broken builds, version conflicts, and user complaints. The thing is, most developers don’t realize just how easy it is to shoot themselves in the foot when working with SPFx.
In this post, we’re going to break down the most common SPFx mistakes that trip up even seasoned programmers—and more importantly, how to avoid them. Think of this as a blueprint to build smarter, safer, and faster SharePoint solutions. Whether you’re a JavaScript veteran, a TypeScript enthusiast, or a React junkie, these lessons will save you headaches, lost hours, and maybe even a little reputation damage.
We’ll focus on three major categories where SPFx projects usually go off the rails. First, architecture and dependency management—because your code foundation is everything. Second, security and governance missteps—because sloppy permissions or untrusted scripts can get you into serious trouble. Third, performance, deployment, and monitoring errors—because a slow or broken web part is the fastest way to frustrate users and stakeholders. Let’s dive in.
Poor Architecture and Dependency Management
Think of SPFx architecture like building a custom motorcycle. If your frame is weak or your parts don’t fit, no amount of horsepower will make it ride well. In SPFx, “weak frame” usually comes from poor dependency management.
One of the most common pitfalls is over-reliance on floating dependencies, like using caret (^) or tilde (~) versions in your package.json. Sure, npm makes it easy to grab the latest version, but it’s also like leaving your garage unlocked. Different developers on the same team may end up running slightly different versions of libraries, introducing subtle bugs that are almost impossible to trace.
To avoid this, lock your dependencies. Use exact versions when possible (--save-exact), and freeze your builds with a lockfile before deployment. Tools like npm shrinkwrap can lock your versions reliably, ensuring everyone on the team is working with the same code. That’s the difference between a predictable build and a house of cards.
Another common misstep is not using library components for shared code. How many times have you seen the same utility functions copied across multiple web parts? It feels fast in the short term, but it’s a maintenance nightmare. One bug, one new feature, and suddenly you’re editing five different files instead of one. SPFx library components centralize shared code, letting you update once and propagate changes everywhere, keeping your codebase lean and consistent.
Finally, think about modern package managers. Tools like pnpm deduplicate dependencies, speed up installations, and reduce disk bloat. It’s not a silver bullet, but in large SPFx projects, it’s a lifesaver.
The takeaway here: architect your solution like a pro. Lock your dependencies, centralize shared code, and enforce strict version control. Your future self—and your teammates—will thank you.
Security & Governance Missteps
SPFx isn’t a sandbox. Code you ship in an .sppkg runs in the user’s browser context, meaning mistakes are visible to everyone with access. If you ignore security and governance, you’re not just risking bugs—you’re risking trust, data, and compliance.
One common blunder is ignoring Content Security Policy (CSP). CSP helps control which external scripts your web parts can load. Ignore it, and you’re basically leaving the back door open. Make sure you declare trusted script sources explicitly, and avoid pulling code from unverified CDNs. Treat CSP like the lock on your toolbox: it’s only effective if you respect it.
Next up: permissions. Over-requesting permissions is a rookie mistake. Don’t ask for write access if you only need read. Don’t request Graph scopes that aren’t critical. The principle of least privilege is your shield against accidental data leaks or compliance violations. Regularly review your permission requests and prune anything unnecessary.
Finally, governance matters. Who approves your SPFx packages? Who signs off on code before it hits the app catalog? Without a governance process, even well-intentioned developers can deploy unsafe or buggy code. Using tools to scan and validate your package contents before deployment is a must.
Remember: SPFx gives you power, but with great power comes responsibility. Treat your code like an enterprise citizen—secure, vetted, and accountable.
Performance, Deployment & Monitoring Errors
Even if your architecture is solid and your code is secure, performance missteps will make users curse your name. Slow web parts, broken scripts, and unoptimized bundles can ruin an otherwise polished solution.
Start with hosting. Many SPFx developers host assets directly in SharePoint or on unmanaged servers. This works at first, but it’s like running a marathon in flip-flops. For speed and reliability, host your assets on a proper CDN with caching enabled. Users will notice the difference the moment they open a page.
Bundle optimization is another often-overlooked area. Tree-shaking removes unused code, lazy-loading delays non-critical scripts, and minimizing your JS reduces payload size. Without these optimizations, your web parts will load slowly, especially on large pages or slow connections.
Deployment pipelines matter too. Manual uploads are risky—someone will inevitably skip a step. Implement CI/CD pipelines that handle building, testing, bundling, deploying to CDN, and publishing to the app catalog. Include automated scans for vulnerabilities, linting errors, and versioning validation.
Finally, don’t forget monitoring. Tools like Application Insights let you track errors, performance issues, and usage patterns. Without telemetry, you’re flying blind; with it, you can proactively fix issues before users even notice.
Performance and deployment aren’t glamorous, but neglect them, and your SPFx project collapses under its own weight.
Conclusion
Building SPFx solutions is powerful, but it’s also easy to make mistakes that cost time, money, and credibility. The three most common pitfalls are poor architecture and dependency management, security and governance oversights, and performance/deployment errors.
By locking your dependencies, centralizing shared code, respecting permissions, hosting assets properly, optimizing bundles, and monitoring your web parts, you’ll not only avoid headaches—you’ll build SPFx solutions that are robust, scalable, and respected.
Here’s my challenge: audit your current SPFx projects. Where are the vulnerabilities? Are your builds consistent? Are your permissions excessive? Pick one area to improve today. One small step can transform your next SPFx project from a maintenance nightmare into a rock-solid solution.
Call to Action
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D. Bryan King
Sources
- SharePoint Framework solutions governance considerations — Microsoft Learn
- Support for Content Security Policy (CSP) in SharePoint Online — Microsoft Learn
- How to Mitigate Vulnerabilities in SPFx Development — Microsoft Q&A
- SPFx Library Components: Solving Development Challenges in SharePoint Framework — Mohamad Amer’s Blog
- Best Practices in SharePoint Framework (SPFx) — NJT Web & SEO Service
- SPFx Secrets: 10 Tips for SharePoint Framework Development — BetaTest Solutions
- SharePoint Framework (SPFx) Best Practices — Toxigon Blog
- Don Kirkham – SharePoint Framework (SPFx) Quick Start — Don Kirkham’s Blog
- How to Avoid Common Pitfalls in SharePoint Development — Expertia.ai
- Best practices with development of enterprise-scale SharePoint solutions — PIASYS (PDF)
- BPA Solutions – SPFx / App Architecture — BPA Solutions (PDF)
- SPO Develop SPFx – Possible Blocking Development? — Reddit
- Gulp serve doesn’t work! — Reddit
- Long-term risks of developing custom SPFx webparts? — Reddit
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author. The information provided is based on personal research, experience, and understanding of the subject matter at the time of writing. Readers should consult relevant experts or authorities for specific guidance related to their unique situations.
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