Skip to content
Learni
View all tutorials
Frameworks JS

How to Develop a Qwik Application in 2026

12 minBEGINNER
FrontendQwik
Lire en français

Introduction

Qwik is an innovative frontend framework that focuses on resumability to deliver exceptional performance right from the first load. Unlike traditional frameworks that hydrate the entire application, Qwik only executes the necessary code. This tutorial guides you from installation to building a simple application. You'll learn how to structure your project, create reactive components, and take advantage of Qwik's benefits in 2026. Ideal for beginners looking to master a modern, SEO-friendly tool.

Prerequisites

  • Node.js version 18 or higher
  • Basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
  • A code editor like VS Code
  • Terminal to run commands

Project Creation

terminal
npm create qwik@latest my-qwik-app
cd my-qwik-app
npm install

This command initializes a complete Qwik project with TypeScript configuration and base files. It automatically installs the necessary dependencies to get started quickly.

Starting the Development Server

terminal
npm run dev

Launches the development server at http://localhost:5173. Changes are instantly reloaded thanks to Vite's hot reload system integrated into Qwik.

Root Component

src/routes/index.tsx
import { component$ } from '@builder.io/qwik';

export default component$(() => {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Welcome to Qwik in 2026</h1>
      <p>This application is ultra-performant.</p>
    </div>
  );
});

The component$ decorator allows Qwik to serialize this component for deferred execution. This ensures a minimal initial bundle and excellent performance.

Adding an Interactive Counter

src/components/Counter.tsx
import { component$, useSignal } from '@builder.io/qwik';

export const Counter = component$(() => {
  const count = useSignal(0);
  return (
    <button onClick$={() => count.value++}>
      Counter: {count.value}
    </button>
  );
});

useSignal creates reactive state that only triggers an update when necessary. onClick$ ensures the handler remains serializable for resumability.

Integrating the Counter

src/routes/index.tsx
import { component$ } from '@builder.io/qwik';
import { Counter } from '../components/Counter';

export default component$(() => {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Welcome to Qwik in 2026</h1>
      <Counter />
    </div>
  );
});

Import and use the Counter component. Qwik automatically loads the counter code only when the user interacts with it.

Best Practices

  • Always use component$ and Qwik hooks to preserve resumability
  • Prefer signals (useSignal) over classic state
  • Organize your components in the src/components folder
  • Regularly test performance with the built-in tools
  • Enable SSR mode for better SEO

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting the $ suffix on events and components
  • Using classic React hooks instead of Qwik's
  • Neglecting optimization of images and static resources
  • Failing to separate business logic from UI components

Going Further

Explore advanced features like Qwik City for routing and static generation. Check out our documentation and sign up for our Learni courses to deepen your knowledge of Qwik and other modern frameworks.