React Tips

10 React Tips That Actually Matter

Use these patterns when writing or reviewing React code. Each one prevents real bugs or eliminates unnecessary complexity.

1. Use useReducer When State Is Related

When multiple useState values depend on each other (loading + error + data), use useReducer instead. Prevents impossible state combinations where your UI lies to the user.

// BAD: Three setters you can forget to coordinate
setIsLoading(false);
setError(null);
setPost(data);

// GOOD: One dispatch, one guaranteed valid state
dispatch({ type: 'FETCH_SUCCESS', payload: data });

When to apply: Any time changing one piece of state requires changing another.

2. useTransition Over Debounce

For search inputs and heavy filtering, use useTransition instead of debounce. It marks state updates as non-urgent so React can keep the UI responsive.

const [isPending, startTransition] = useTransition();

startTransition(() => {
  setFilteredItems(filterItems(query));
});

When to apply: Any input that triggers expensive re-renders (search, filters, large lists).

3. State Colocation

Move state as close as possible to where it's consumed. If only SearchBox and SearchResults need searchTerm, wrap them in a SearchFeature component that owns the state. Siblings won't re-render.

When to apply: Before reaching for React.memo, check if the state can just be moved down the tree.

4. useEffect Is Synchronization, Not Lifecycle

useEffect is NOT componentDidMount. It's "run this when these dependencies change." Don't use it for data fetching (use React Query/SWR). Don't put functions inside unless necessary. Extract logic out of the effect body.

When to apply: Any time you're writing a useEffect, ask: "Am I synchronizing with something external, or am I triggering logic?" If the latter, there's probably a better pattern.

5. Never Use Index as Key

key={index} causes state to stick to the wrong DOM nodes when items are added, removed, or reordered. Always use a stable, unique ID from your data (key={item.id}).

When to apply: Every list render. No exceptions.

6. Don't Overuse useMemo

useMemo has overhead: hook call + dependency comparison every render. For simple operations (string concat, basic math), the overhead exceeds the cost of just computing the value. Profile before memoizing.

// BAD: Memoizing a string concatenation
const fullName = useMemo(() => `${first} ${last}`, [first, last]);

// GOOD: Just compute it
const fullName = `${first} ${last}`;

When to apply: Only use useMemo for genuinely expensive computations (large array operations, complex transformations). The React Compiler will handle the rest.

7. SRP = One Reason to Change

A component should have one reason to change, not "do one thing." Extract data-fetching into custom hooks. Keep presentation separate from logic. When the API changes, only the hook changes. When the layout changes, only the component changes.

When to apply: When a component mixes fetching, error handling, and rendering. Split into a hook + a presentational component.

8. Key Prop Resets Components

Use key on any component (not just lists) to force React to unmount and remount it. This resets all state and re-runs effects, eliminating dependency array complexity.

<UserProfile key={userId} id={userId} />

When to apply: When a component's entire state depends on a single prop (user ID, tab ID, etc.).

9. useLayoutEffect for DOM Measurement

useEffect runs after the browser paints. useLayoutEffect runs before paint. Use useLayoutEffect when you need to measure DOM elements and immediately update styles to prevent one-frame flickers.

When to apply: Tooltips, popovers, dynamic positioning, any visual measurement + mutation.

10. Compound Components Pattern

Instead of passing config objects/arrays, build components that share state via Context. Each sub-component gets its own provider and reaches into the nearest parent's context.

<Accordion>
  <Accordion.Item>
    <Accordion.Header>Title</Accordion.Header>
    <Accordion.Body>Content</Accordion.Body>
  </Accordion.Item>
</Accordion>

When to apply: Reusable UI components (accordions, tabs, menus, dropdowns) where the consumer needs flexibility in what goes inside.

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