React Component Patterns

React Component Patterns

Priority: P0 (CRITICAL)

Implementation Guidelines

• Architecture (default): Composition first — children/named slot props for layout, Compound Components (e.g., <Select><Select.Option /></Select>) via Context for implicit shared state within one UI unit. Reach for Higher-Order Components or classic Render Props (render={(data) => ...}) only when composition can't express it (e.g. wrapping a third-party class component) — hooks cover most cross-cutting concerns HOCs used to.
• React 19: ref is a regular prop on function components — no forwardRef needed for new code. Use use(promise) / use(context) to read a promise or context conditionally in render instead of useContext + extra useEffect plumbing.
• Components: Distinguish between Controlled (state from props) and Uncontrolled (local useRef state) components. Favor controlled for form validation.
• Props: Use Explicit TS interfaces. Avoid Prop Drilling by leveraging Context API or Zustand for global/deeply nested state.
• Boolean Props: Shorthand <Cmp isVisible /> vs isVisible={true}.
• Conditionals: Ternary (Cond ? <A/> : <B/>) over && for rendering consistency (prevents 0 rendering).
• Function Components: Only hooks. No classes. Small size (<250 lines). One component per file.
• Exports: Named exports only. PascalCase naming.

function ThemedInput({ ref, ...props }: { ref?: React.Ref<HTMLInputElement> } & InputProps) {
  return <input ref={ref} className={useTheme().input} {...props} />;
}

Verify

• Shared implicit state uses Compound Components + Context, not prop drilling.
• ref passed as a plain prop (no forwardRef) on components targeting React 19.
• HOC/classic render-props only where composition genuinely can't express the wrap.

Anti-Patterns

• No Classes: Use hooks.
• No Prop Drilling: Use Context/Zustand.
• No Nested Definitions: Define components at top level.
• No Index Keys: Use stable IDs.
• No forwardRef on new React 19 code: Accept ref as a normal prop instead.

References

See references/patterns.md for Composition, Compound Components, and Render Props examples.