React Patterns

Build React applications that are composable, performant, and maintainable.

Core Principles

1. Composition Over Configuration

Build small, focused components and compose them. Avoid giant components with many configuration props. Children and slots are your friends.

2. State Management Is About Proximity

Keep state as close to where it's used as possible. Lift state up only when truly shared. Context is not a state management solution.

3. Derive, Don't Duplicate

Derived state (computed from existing state) should never be stored separately. Use useMemo for expensive derivations, compute inline for cheap ones.

4. Effects Are Escape Hatches

useEffect is for synchronizing with external systems (API, DOM, subscriptions). Don't use it for derived state or event handlers.