React useContext

Overview

Context provides "global" data to a component tree without prop drilling. The key insight: context is overused the same way Redux once was — consider simpler alternatives first.

When to Use Context

• Truly global, stable data — auth/user, theme, i18n, permissions
• Deep prop drilling (3+ levels) — props passing through components that don't use them
• Compound components — local, isolated context for tightly coupled UI (best use case)

When NOT to Use