react-useeffect
React useEffect best practices from official docs. Use when writing/reviewing useEffect, useState for derived values, data fetching, or state synchronization. Teaches when NOT to use Effect and better alternatives.
What this skill does
# You Might Not Need an Effect
Effects are an **escape hatch** from React. They let you synchronize with external systems. If there is no external system involved, you shouldn't need an Effect.
## Quick Reference
| Situation | DON'T | DO |
|-----------|-------|-----|
| Derived state from props/state | `useState` + `useEffect` | Calculate during render |
| Expensive calculations | `useEffect` to cache | `useMemo` |
| Reset state on prop change | `useEffect` with `setState` | `key` prop |
| User event responses | `useEffect` watching state | Event handler directly |
| Notify parent of changes | `useEffect` calling `onChange` | Call in event handler |
| Fetch data | `useEffect` without cleanup | `useEffect` with cleanup OR framework |
## When You DO Need Effects
- Synchronizing with **external systems** (non-React widgets, browser APIs)
- **Subscriptions** to external stores (use `useSyncExternalStore` when possible)
- **Analytics/logging** that runs because component displayed
- **Data fetching** with proper cleanup (or use framework's built-in mechanism)
## When You DON'T Need Effects
1. **Transforming data for rendering** - Calculate at top level, re-runs automatically
2. **Handling user events** - Use event handlers, you know exactly what happened
3. **Deriving state** - Just compute it: `const fullName = firstName + ' ' + lastName`
4. **Chaining state updates** - Calculate all next state in the event handler
## Decision Tree
```
Need to respond to something?
├── User interaction (click, submit, drag)?
│ └── Use EVENT HANDLER
├── Component appeared on screen?
│ └── Use EFFECT (external sync, analytics)
├── Props/state changed and need derived value?
│ └── CALCULATE DURING RENDER
│ └── Expensive? Use useMemo
└── Need to reset state when prop changes?
└── Use KEY PROP on component
```
## Detailed Guidance
- [Anti-Patterns](./anti-patterns.md) - Common mistakes with fixes
- [Better Alternatives](./alternatives.md) - useMemo, key prop, lifting state, useSyncExternalStore
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