Angular components

Angular Components

Priority: P0 (CRITICAL)

Principles

• Standalone: standalone: true. Import all dependencies directly in imports array. Do not declare in NgModule. (Angular 20+: standalone is the default — standalone: true is not needed.) Use ng generate c to scaffold automatically.
• Signal Inputs: Use input() and input.required<T>() instead of @Input(). Use booleanAttribute or numberAttribute transforms where applicable (e.g., input(false, { transform: booleanAttribute })). Access value as a function: this.disabled().
• Signal Outputs: Use output<T>() (from v17.3+) instead of @Output() EventEmitter. Emit with: this.selected.emit(value). For two-way binding use model() which creates a writable signal.
• Control Flow: Use @if (condition), @for (item of items; track item.id), @switch, and @empty { } blocks inside @for for empty state instead of *ngIf, *ngFor.
• Host Bindings: Define in the host: { } object on @Component (e.g., '[class.active]': 'isActive()', '(click)': 'onClick()') — Never use @HostBinding or @HostListener decorators.
• View Encapsulation: Default Emulated. Use None carefully.

Signals Integration

• Use computed() for derived state and display values.
• Use effect() strictly for side effects (logging, manual DOM manipulation), NEVER for state propagation.
• Avoid logic in templates — move to computed() or component methods. Set ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush.

Anti-Patterns

• No logic in template: Replace with computed() signals or component method calls.
• No ElementRef mutation: Encapsulate DOM changes in a Directive or use Renderer2.
• No class inheritance: Compose behavior using Directives and Services instead.

References

• Standalone Pattern
• Control Flow