MUI CSS Variables Still Cause SSR Flickering: The Ultimate Guide to Solving this Issue

Are you tired of dealing with the frustrating issue of MUI CSS variables causing Server-Side Rendering (SSR) flickering in your application? You’re not alone! Many developers have encountered this problem, and it’s time to put an end to it once and for all. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of MUI CSS variables, SSR, and flickering, providing you with clear instructions and explanations to solve this issue.

What are MUI CSS Variables?

MUI (Material-UI) is a popular React-based component library that provides a set of pre-built UI components to speed up your development process. One of the key features of MUI is its theming system, which relies heavily on CSS variables. These variables allow you to customize the appearance of your application by defining a set of pre-defined values for colors, typography, and spacing.

// Example of MUI CSS variables
:root {
  --mui-primary-color: #2196f3;
  --mui-secondary-color: #f50057;
  --mui-font-size: 16px;
}

What is Server-Side Rendering (SSR)?

Server-Side Rendering (SSR) is a technique that allows your application to render its initial HTML on the server, rather than on the client-side. This approach provides faster page loads, improved SEO, and better performance. However, it also introduces new challenges, such as dealing with CSS variables and SSR flickering.

What is SSR Flickering?

SSR flickering occurs when your application’s server-side rendered HTML and client-side rendered HTML differ, causing a brief flash or flicker effect on the screen. This can be distracting and annoying for users, especially when interacting with your application. In the context of MUI CSS variables, SSR flickering happens when the client-side rendering of your application takes longer to load than the server-side rendering, resulting in a mismatch between the two.

Why do MUI CSS Variables Cause SSR Flickering?

There are two main reasons why MUI CSS variables cause SSR flickering:

• CSS variables are not yet defined on the server-side: When your application is rendered on the server-side, the CSS variables are not yet defined, causing the server-side rendered HTML to differ from the client-side rendered HTML.
• CSS variables are overridden by MUI’s default theme: When your application is rendered on the client-side, MUI’s default theme is applied, overriding the custom CSS variables you’ve defined. This results in a mismatch between the server-side and client-side rendered HTML.

Solving the SSR Flickering Issue with MUI CSS Variables

Now that we’ve identified the causes of SSR flickering with MUI CSS variables, it’s time to provide solutions! Here are some step-by-step instructions to help you solve this issue:

Step 1: Define CSS Variables on the Server-Side

To define CSS variables on the server-side, you’ll need to use a library like styled-jsx or emotion to inject your custom CSS variables into the server-side rendered HTML. Here’s an example using styled-jsx:

import { injectGlobal } from 'styled-jsx/server';

injectGlobal`
  :root {
    --mui-primary-color: #2196f3;
    --mui-secondary-color: #f50057;
    --mui-font-size: 16px;
  }
`;

Step 2: Override MUI’s Default Theme

To override MUI’s default theme, you’ll need to create a custom theme object and pass it to the MuiThemeProvider component. Here’s an example:

import { createMuiTheme } from '@material-ui/core/styles';

const theme = createMuiTheme({
  palette: {
    primary: {
      main: '#2196f3',
    },
    secondary: {
      main: '#f50057',
    },
  },
  typography: {
    fontSize: 16,
  },
});

function App() {
  return (
    
      {/* Your application code here */}
    
  );
}

Step 3: Use the withStyles Higher-Order Component

The withStyles Higher-Order Component (HOC) allows you to inject your custom CSS variables into your application’s components. Here’s an example:

import { withStyles } from '@material-ui/core/styles';

const styles = {
  root: {
    backgroundColor: 'var(--mui-primary-color)',
  },
};

function MyComponent(props) {
  return 
My Component
;
}

export default withStyles(styles)(MyComponent);

Step 4: Optimize Your Server-Side Rendering Configuration

To optimize your server-side rendering configuration, make sure to:

• Use a caching mechanism like Redis or Memcached to reduce the load on your server.
• Optimize your server-side rendering code to minimize the rendering time.
• Use a CDN to distribute your application’s static assets.

Conclusion

In conclusion, solving the SSR flickering issue with MUI CSS variables requires a combination of defining CSS variables on the server-side, overriding MUI’s default theme, using the withStyles HOC, and optimizing your server-side rendering configuration. By following these steps, you’ll be able to provide a seamless user experience for your application’s users.

Additional Resources

For further reading and exploration, here are some additional resources:

• MUI’s official documentation on CSS variables
• Next.js documentation on server-side rendering
• MUI issue tracker – CSS variables and SSR flickering

Method	Step-by-Step Instructions	Advantages	Disadvantages
Defining CSS variables on the server-side	Use a library like styled-jsx or emotion to inject custom CSS variables into the server-side rendered HTML. Define CSS variables in a separate file or module.	CSS variables are defined on the server-side. Reduced SSR flickering.	Requires additional setup and configuration. May require more complex code organization.
Overriding MUI’s default theme	Create a custom theme object using MUI’s createMuiTheme function. Pass the custom theme object to the MuiThemeProvider component.	Complete control over MUI’s theme. Easier customization of MUI components.	May require more code and maintenance. Can lead to theme-related issues if not managed properly.
Using the withStyles HOC	Define a styles object with custom CSS variables. Use the withStyles HOC to inject the styles object into your application’s components.	Easier customization of individual components. Reduced SSR flickering.	May require more boilerplate code. Can lead to performance issues if not optimized properly.

By following these steps and using the provided resources, you’ll be well on your way to solving the SSR flickering issue with MUI CSS variables and creating a seamless user experience for your application’s users.

Here are 5 Questions and Answers about “MUI CSS Variables Still Cause SSR Flickering” in a creative voice and tone:

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you tired of dealing with the annoying flickering issue when using MUI CSS variables with Server-Side Rendering (SSR)? We’ve got you covered! Here are some frequently asked questions to help you troubleshoot and overcome this pesky problem.