eliezeraugust0/front-end-checklist-web-development/defer-async

Load scripts with defer, async, or type=module

A plain <script> tag in the document head blocks all HTML parsing until the script downloads, parses, and executes. On a slow network this can add seconds of white-screen time before any content renders. defer and async allow the browser to continue parsing HTML while the script downloads, reducing Time to First Contentful Paint dramatically.

Quick Reference

• defer downloads in parallel and executes after HTML parsing, in order — use for most scripts
• async downloads in parallel and executes immediately when ready — use for independent scripts
• type=module always defers and enables ES module syntax
• Never place scripts in <head> without defer or async

Check

Find all script tags in this HTML file. Flag any in the <head> without defer or async, and any at the bottom of <body> that could be in <head> with defer.

Fix

Add defer or async to script tags in the document head, or convert to type=module where ES modules are used.

Explain

Explain the difference between defer, async, and type=module script loading, and when to use each.

Code Review

Review templates, server-rendered HTML, and shared components that output markup related to Load scripts with defer, async, or type=module. Flag exact elements, attributes, and routes where the rendered HTML violates the rule.

For full implementation details, code examples, and framework-specific guidance, see references/rule.md.

Rule page: https://frontendchecklist.io/en/rules/html/defer-async