Tanstack Router Best Practices

TanStack Router Best Practices

Selected guidelines for implementing TanStack Router patterns in React applications. These rules optimize type safety, data loading, navigation, and code organization.

When to Apply

• Setting up application routing
• Creating new routes and layouts
• Implementing search parameter handling
• Configuring data loaders
• Setting up code splitting
• Integrating with TanStack Query
• Refactoring navigation patterns

Available local rules

This package contains 15 rule files. Consult the official documentation for topics not covered here, matching the installed package version.

• ctx-root-context: Define Context at Root Route
• err-not-found: Handle Not-Found Routes Properly
• load-ensure-query-data: Use ensureQueryData with TanStack Query
• load-parallel: Leverage Parallel Route Loading
• load-use-loaders: Use Route Loaders for Data Fetching
• nav-link-component: Prefer Link Component for Navigation
• nav-route-masks: Use Route Masks for Modal URLs
• org-virtual-routes: Understand Virtual File Routes
• preload-intent: Enable Intent-Based Preloading
• router-default-options: Configure Router Default Options
• search-custom-serializer: Configure Custom Search Param Serializers
• search-validation: Always Validate Search Params
• split-lazy-routes: Use .lazy.tsx for Code Splitting
• ts-register-router: Register Router Type for Global Inference
• ts-use-from-param: Use from Parameter for Type Narrowing

How to Use

Each rule file in the rules/ directory contains:

1. Explanation — Why this pattern matters
2. Bad Example — Anti-pattern to avoid
3. Good Example — Recommended implementation
4. Context — When to apply or skip this rule

Full Reference

See individual rule files in rules/ directory for detailed guidance and code examples.