# Use useTransition Over Manual Loading States

> Use useTransition instead of manual useState for loading states. This provides built-in isPending state and automatically manages transitions.

- Skill: `tools-only/use-usetransition-over-manual-loading-states` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tools-only/use-usetransition-over-manual-loading-states`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/use-usetransition-over-manual-loading-states/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-29
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/use-usetransition-over-manual-loading-states

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## Use useTransition Over Manual Loading States

Use `useTransition` instead of manual `useState` for loading states. This provides built-in `isPending` state and automatically manages transitions.

**Incorrect (manual loading state):**

```tsx
function SearchResults() {
  const [query, setQuery] = useState('')
  const [results, setResults] = useState([])
  const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(false)

  const handleSearch = async (value: string) => {
    setIsLoading(true)
    setQuery(value)
    const data = await fetchResults(value)
    setResults(data)
    setIsLoading(false)
  }

  return (
    <>
      <input onChange={(e) => handleSearch(e.target.value)} />
      {isLoading && <Spinner />}
      <ResultsList results={results} />
    </>
  )
}
```

**Correct (useTransition with built-in pending state):**

```tsx
import { useTransition, useState } from 'react'

function SearchResults() {
  const [query, setQuery] = useState('')
  const [results, setResults] = useState([])
  const [isPending, startTransition] = useTransition()

  const handleSearch = (value: string) => {
    setQuery(value) // Update input immediately
    
    startTransition(async () => {
      // Fetch and update results
      const data = await fetchResults(value)
      setResults(data)
    })
  }

  return (
    <>
      <input onChange={(e) => handleSearch(e.target.value)} />
      {isPending && <Spinner />}
      <ResultsList results={results} />
    </>
  )
}
```

**Benefits:**

- **Automatic pending state**: No need to manually manage `setIsLoading(true/false)`
- **Error resilience**: Pending state correctly resets even if the transition throws
- **Better responsiveness**: Keeps the UI responsive during updates
- **Interrupt handling**: New transitions automatically cancel pending ones

Reference: [useTransition](https://react.dev/reference/react/useTransition)