JavaScript:
Proficiency in Vanilla JavaScript: Essential for client-side logic in Jamstack sites.
Modern JavaScript Features: Understanding ES6+ (like Promises, async/await, modules) since Jamstack heavily relies on JavaScript for dynamic functionality.
HTML and CSS:
Semantic HTML: For structuring content in a way that's both accessible and SEO-friendly (,).
CSS: Including knowledge of CSS frameworks like Tailwind CSS, CSS Grid, Flexbox for responsive design and layout.
Static Site Generators (SSGs):
Familiarity with at least one SSG: Like Gatsby, Hugo, Jekyll, Eleventy, or
Next.js (for static builds). Each has its own nuances, but understanding SSGs is crucial for building Jamstack sites.
APIs:
Working with RESTful APIs or GraphQL: Since Jamstack architecture separates content from presentation, developers need to know how to fetch and manipulate data from external sources or services.
Frontend Frameworks:
React: Especially with
Next.js, which is popular for Jamstack development due to its server-side rendering capabilities.
Vue.js or Svelte: As alternatives for building dynamic interfaces.
Webpack, Rollup, or similar: For asset bundling and optimization in the build process.
Git: For version control, crucial in Jamstack's Git-based workflows.
Headless CMS:
Integration with Headless CMS: Knowledge of how to integrate with systems like Contentful, Strapi, or Sanity for content management.
Command Line Interface (CLI):
Comfort with CLI: Many Jamstack tools and deployments are CLI-driven.
Performance Optimization:
Understanding of performance metrics: Like Core Web Vitals, and techniques to optimize load times, such as lazy loading, critical CSS, and image optimization.
SEO best practices: Since Jamstack sites can excel in SEO due to their static nature, knowing how to leverage this is vital.
Security:
Basic security practices: Even though Jamstack reduces attack vectors, understanding HTTPS, CORS settings, and safe API interactions is important.
Testing:
Unit and Integration Testing: Especially for JavaScript components to ensure functionality across different devices and browsers.
Serverless Functions:
Knowledge of serverless functions: For adding dynamic capabilities to static sites, like form submissions, without compromising the static nature.
Deployment Platforms:
Experience with platforms like Netlify, Vercel, or GitHub Pages: These are common for Jamstack deployments, providing easy integration with CI/CD pipelines.
Soft Skills:
Problem Solving: Given the modular nature of Jamstack, troubleshooting and integrating different services or tools can be complex.
Collaboration: Working with designers, content creators, and other developers in a Jamstack environment often requires good communication.
Additional Considerations:
Adaptability: The Jamstack ecosystem evolves quickly; a developer should be eager to learn and adapt to new tools and practices.
Continuous Learning: Staying up-to-date with the latest in web development, particularly in areas like PWA (Progressive Web Apps), which can enhance Jamstack sites.
In summary, a Jamstack developer should have a solid foundation in modern web development techniques, with an emphasis on JavaScript, static site generators, and API interactions, complemented by skills in performance optimization and the use of contemporary development tools.