Backend-First: Revolutionizing Front-End Development with Django and HTMX
summary
Argues that a Backend-First approach with Django and HTMX moves UI logic to the server, reducing client complexity and enabling faster prototyping and stronger security. Demonstrates Django admin + Bootstrap modals, Django-HTMX addon (Adam Johnson), and mixing a React web component inside a Django form, all working in a proposal-management system for a CERIC deployment (about 30–32 ERICs, ~60 instruments). Highlights concrete tradeoffs: 14 KB HTMX payloads, no client-side state, and model admin covering 90% of needed CRUD.
AI-written summary · about
chapters (12)
- 0:00Introduction and background
- 2:30Why HTMX matters now
- 5:02What is HTMX and how it works
- 7:10Philosophy behind HTMX
- 10:44Adding HTMX to Django
- 12:49Real-world Django HTMX example
- 14:57Leveraging Django admin with HTMX
- 16:45HTMX middleware and partial responses
- 17:47Simplifying state management
- 18:51When to use HTMX
- 20:18Bonus tips and integrations
- 23:30Closing remarks and resources
related talks
37mPerformant Django
26mUsing Django 4.2's StreamingHttpResponse and HTMX SSE to provide real time notifications
40mDjango & JavaScript: A long and complicated friendship
29mSleeping with the enemy..
38mDjango Rest Framework + Redux
44mCore Developer Panel
31mReinventing Django for the Real-Time Web
01h 00mLightning Talks