To begin using Axios in your React application, you first need to add it as a dependency. The most common way to do this is by using either npm or yarn, which are popular package managers for JavaScript projects. Open your terminal, navigate to your React project directory, and run one of the following commands:

To install using npm:

npm install axios

To install using yarn:

yarn add axios

Once Axios is installed, you can import it into your React component files. Typically, you import Axios at the top of your file to keep your imports clear and organized. The standard import statement is:

import axios from 'axios';

This import statement makes all of Axios's methods and features available in your component, allowing you to make HTTP requests easily.

Keeping your project's dependencies up to date and organized is a key best practice in React development. Always install packages like Axios using your project's package manager, and avoid manually adding files or modifying dependencies outside of this system. When importing libraries, place all import statements at the top of your component files. This approach helps you and your team quickly see which dependencies are in use, reduces confusion, and makes maintenance easier as your project grows. Grouping related imports together and following a consistent order—such as third-party libraries first, followed by your own components and styles—also improves readability and maintainability.