React and Node “starter” kit is 133MB, 702 modules, 16k files

This is the paradox of software development - to do things the easiest and most simple way you need higher order understanding of the entire ecosystem.

"starter" "simple" "easy" "minimal" don't mean the same thing depending on the context.

"minimal" can require alot of stuff when you are building a "minimal" application that includes data access, styling, configuration, modular organisation, internationalisation, build tools etc etc