Project Structure Explorer Learn Through Interactive Exploration

Master web development project organization by exploring our interactive file system. Hover over folders and files to discover their purpose, click for detailed explanations, and build a solid foundation for organizing your own projects.

Why Project Organization Matters

Good project structure is like organizing a library - it makes everything easier to find, understand, and maintain. Learn the principles that guide professional web development.

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Clarity & Findability

Every file should have an obvious place and purpose. A developer should be able to find any component or configuration within seconds of looking.

Good: /src/components/header/header.css
Bad: /css/styles-v2-final.css
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Scalable Architecture

Start with a structure that can grow. What works for 5 components should still work for 50 components without major reorganization.

Scalable: Component-based folders
Not scalable: Single CSS file for everything
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Industry Conventions

Follow established patterns that other developers recognize. This makes collaboration easier and reduces the learning curve for new team members.

Standard: package.json, src/, tests/
Custom: my-config.json, code/, checks/

Interactive Project Explorer

Explore the BSB project structure below. Hover over items for quick explanations, click folders to expand them, and use "Learn More" for detailed guides with examples.

Common Organization Patterns

These patterns appear across most professional web projects. Understanding them will help you navigate any codebase and organize your own projects effectively.

📁 Source Code Separation

src/
├── components/    ← Reusable UI pieces
├── pages/         ← Individual page templates  
├── styles/        ← CSS organization
├── scripts/       ← JavaScript functionality
└── assets/        ← Images, fonts, icons

Why: Separates different types of source code for easier navigation and maintenance. Each folder has a clear, single responsibility.

⚙️ Configuration at Root

project-root/
├── package.json       ← Project metadata & deps
├── vite.config.js     ← Build tool configuration
├── .gitignore         ← Version control rules
├── .eslintrc.json     ← Code quality rules
└── jest.config.js     ← Testing configuration

Why: Tools expect configuration files at the project root. This makes setup automatic and follows universal conventions.

🧩 Component Co-location

components/header/
├── header.html        ← Structure
├── header.css         ← Styling  
├── header.js          ← Behavior
├── header.test.js     ← Tests
└── README.md          ← Documentation

Why: Related files stay together. When you need to modify the header, everything you need is in one place.

🏗️ Build Output Separation

project/
├── src/               ← Source code (editable)
├── dist/              ← Built files (generated)
├── node_modules/      ← Dependencies (installed)
└── tests/             ← Test files (quality)

Why: Source code stays clean and editable. Generated files are kept separate and can be safely deleted and rebuilt.

Pro Tips for Project Organization

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Start with Industry Standards

Use established patterns like src/, components/, and package.json. Don't reinvent the wheel - follow conventions that other developers already know.

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Group Related Files Together

Keep component HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in the same folder. When you need to work on the header, everything should be in /components/header/.

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Use Descriptive Names

Avoid names like utils, helpers, or misc. Use specific names: date-formatters, api-clients, form-validators.

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Keep Hierarchies Shallow

Avoid deep nesting like /src/ui/components/forms/inputs/text/. Prefer flatter structures: /src/components/text-input/.

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Document Your Decisions

Add README files explaining folder purposes. Future you (and your teammates) will thank you for explaining why things are organized the way they are.

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Consistency Over Perfection

It's better to have a consistent structure that everyone follows than a "perfect" structure that's inconsistently applied. Document and enforce your patterns.

Ready to Organize Your Next Project?

Apply these principles to create maintainable, scalable web projects that other developers will love to work with.