DEV Community

Cover image for Modularity or Madness? Structuring Django Apps for Sanity and Reuse
Zabby
Zabby

Posted on

Modularity or Madness? Structuring Django Apps for Sanity and Reuse

Context: The Chaos of a Growing Codebase.

When I first started building with Django, I made the classic mistake: one monolithic views.py, bloated models.py, and templates spilling out like soup. As my apps grew, so did my frustration.

So I began treating my Django projects like Lego sets. Every piece should click into place and be swappable without breaking everything else.

My Modular Philosophy

Here’s the guiding approach I now use for every Django project:

1. Separate Concerns by App

Example structure for a productivity suite:

myproject/
├── users/          # handles auth & profiles
├── inbox/          # minimalist inbox assistant
├── expenses/       # expense tracking
├── jokes/          # humor module
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Each app should answer ONE question. Avoid mixing views from multiple domains into one app. Think like an API designer, even if you’re building HTML.

2. Views: Break Them Down

I split views by functionality within each app:

expenses/
├── views/
│   ├── list.py
│   ├── create.py
│   ├── stats.py
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Then wire them into views/__init__.py for import ease.

Why it works:

  • Easier to test each view file

  • Keeps logical flow visible

  • Lets me teach students incrementally.

3. Models: Keep It Clean and Thoughtful

Each model lives in models.py, but I often abstract logic out:

class Expense(models.Model):
    ...
    def formatted_amount(self):
        return f"${self.amount:.2f}"

# Or abstract to a utils file:
def format_amount(amount):
    return f"${amount:.2f}"
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Rule of thumb: Business logic lives in separate helpers unless it absolutely belongs in the model.

4. Forms and Serializers Deserve Their Own Files

Organizing by type helps scaling:

expenses/
├── forms/
│   ├── expense_form.py
├── serializers/
│   ├── expense_serializer.py
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

It’s easier to debug or refactor without wondering where that nested validation rule lives.

5. URLs That Scale

Per-app urls.py should map clearly to views, and I often namespace them:

app_name = "expenses"

urlpatterns = [
    path("", views.list_expenses, name="list"),
    path("create/", views.create_expense, name="create"),
]
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

This makes reverse lookups readable and prevents collisions.

6. Apps.py and Meta Metadata

Don’t underestimate the value of apps.py and model Meta options:

class Expense(models.Model):
    class Meta:
        ordering = ['-date']
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

This kind of subtle config makes your apps feel polished to users even if it’s just one line.

Teaching Modularity

When I scaffold projects for students or collaborators, here’s what I do:

  • Prefix commits with the app name: expenses: add ExpenseForm for new entry UI.
  • Include README-per-app: Explain what each app does, and why it exists.
  • Use docstrings and comments as breadcrumbs: Guide future developers with insight, not just syntax.

Final Thoughts

Modularity isn’t just about clean code it’s about mental clarity, team velocity, and student empowerment. A well-structured Django repo teaches back. You build it once, but it teaches many.

Top comments (0)