Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of hybrid materials with unique optical and electronic properties, arising from the rational self-assembly of organic linkers and metal ions/clusters. Their combination of order, chemical tunability, and environmental stability makes them promising for various devices such as solar cells, photodetectors, radiation detectors, and chemical sensors. This review focuses on the basic requirements and structural elements needed to fabricate MOF-based devices, summarizing the current state of MOF research in electronic, opto-electronic, and sensor applications. It discusses various approaches to designing active MOFs, creating hybrid material systems, and integrating MOFs with device hardware. Critical directions for future research are identified, emphasizing the need to achieve desired MOF functionality and establish structure-property relationships to optimize device performance. The review also highlights recent advancements in MOF thin film deposition methods, the development of electrically conductive MOFs, and the potential of MOFs in light harvesting applications, including photon capture and energy transfer.Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of hybrid materials with unique optical and electronic properties, arising from the rational self-assembly of organic linkers and metal ions/clusters. Their combination of order, chemical tunability, and environmental stability makes them promising for various devices such as solar cells, photodetectors, radiation detectors, and chemical sensors. This review focuses on the basic requirements and structural elements needed to fabricate MOF-based devices, summarizing the current state of MOF research in electronic, opto-electronic, and sensor applications. It discusses various approaches to designing active MOFs, creating hybrid material systems, and integrating MOFs with device hardware. Critical directions for future research are identified, emphasizing the need to achieve desired MOF functionality and establish structure-property relationships to optimize device performance. The review also highlights recent advancements in MOF thin film deposition methods, the development of electrically conductive MOFs, and the potential of MOFs in light harvesting applications, including photon capture and energy transfer.