React portfolio ideas that are not another to-do list
Quick answer: Hiring managers glaze over identical to-do apps. Use Scrimba’s Learn React (free capstones) and Advanced React (Pro) to ship API-driven, routed, state-heavy projects inside the browser player—then push the same code to GitHub.
Last reviewed: March 2026.
When you apply for junior frontend roles, proof beats claims. These ideas stress real-world complexity: APIs, tricky state, routing, forms—and you can build them as interactive scrims (structure + muscle memory without the “blank VS Code” panic).
Next step: Open Advanced React on Scrimba → when you are ready for deeper patterns (Pro).
Who this is for
Career switchers and juniors who need three strong repos, not ten half-finished tutorials.
1. The Movie Search Database
A staple of the Advanced React curriculum. This project proves you can work with large external datasets.
What you will learn:
- Interfacing with the OMDB or TMDB API.
- Debouncing search inputs to reduce API load.
- Complex grid layouts using CSS.
- Handling empty states (when a search returns no results).
Why it impresses employers: It shows you know how to build a search interface, which is a core feature of almost every B2B software product.
2. Type-Safe E-Commerce Cart
Building a shopping cart with React and TypeScript shows you understand data validation and complex state updates.
What you will learn:
- Using
useReduceror React Context to manage the cart globally. - Updating quantities and recalculating totals dynamically.
- Defining strict TypeScript interfaces for products and users.
Why it impresses employers: Working with money/carts implies you write robust, bug-free code. TypeScript is highly demanded.
Learn TypeScript
FreeMaster TypeScript interactively to make your React projects type-safe and rock solid.
View on Scrimba (opens in a new tab)3. Real-Time Chat App with Firebase
A step up in complexity that demonstrates back-end integration skills.
What you will learn:
- Integrating React with a BaaS (Backend-as-a-Service) like Firebase or Supabase.
- Using
useEffectto subscribe to database channels. - Auth (Logging users in and out safely).
Why it impresses employers: Most frontends are stateless. Showing you can manage a persistent database connection sets you apart from entry-level applicants.
Stop Procrastinating and Start Building
The hardest part of building a portfolio is setting up the local environment and overcoming the "blank screen terror."
By using Scrimba’s interactive player, you get guided structure and real typing reps. Start with free Learn React, ship the capstones, then decide if Pro + the Frontend path is the fastest route to a coherent story in interviews.
Use this guide when…
You are ready to curate projects recruiters will actually click—not collect half-done repos.
Build portfolio React on Scrimba
Free React first; upgrade to Pro for Advanced React and the full Frontend path.