When does Claude Code reach for Magewire vs plain Alpine.js?
Plain Alpine.js for any UI that’s purely client-side (toggles, dropdowns, modal triggers, tab switchers, accordion). Magewire for any UI that needs server-side state (mini-cart line totals, configurable-product price recalc on swatch change, address autocomplete with server validation, Hyvä Checkout step transitions). Claude Code knows the cost: Magewire requires a network round-trip, so it suggests Alpine first and only escalates to Magewire when state has to be authoritative on the server. We seed this rule in CLAUDE.md so it’s consistent across the codebase.