Date Fns

date-fns + @date-fns/tz

Purpose

Use this skill to implement, review, and refactor date/time code with modern date-fns and the native timezone package @date-fns/tz.

Version baseline (re-check when invoked)

• date-fns latest verified: 4.1.0
• @date-fns/tz latest verified: 1.4.1
• Re-check commands:
  • npm view date-fns version
  • npm view @date-fns/tz version
  • npm view date-fns dist-tags --json
  • npm view @date-fns/tz dist-tags --json

When to use

• Parsing, validating, formatting, comparing, and calculating dates.
• Building timezone-aware business logic (scheduling, boundaries, reporting).
• Migrating date logic to immutable utility patterns.
• Hardening code against DST and token-format bugs.

Non-negotiable rules

• Use native timezone package: @date-fns/tz.
• Do not recommend date-fns-tz.
• If legacy code already uses date-fns-tz, suggest migration to @date-fns/tz.
• Parse once, validate early (isValid), and pass Date values through operations.
• Use Unicode tokens correctly (yyyy, MM, dd) and avoid Moment-style token assumptions.
• For timezone-sensitive calculations, use explicit timezone context (TZDate or { in: tz("...") }).

Canonical imports

import { format, parseISO, isValid, addDays, startOfDay } from "date-fns";
import { TZDate, tz, tzOffset, tzName, tzScan } from "@date-fns/tz";

Workflow

1) Normalize input

• Use parseISO/toDate for conversion.
• Guard with isValid.
• Keep internal values as Date/TZDate, not mixed string math.

2) Compute with pure helpers

• Prefer add/sub, differenceIn*, startOf*/endOf*, isSame*, isWithinInterval.
• Avoid mutating Date via setters unless there is a clear reason.

3) Apply timezone context explicitly

• Option A: use TZDate values.
• Option B: use date-fns in option with tz("Area/City") for deterministic zone context.

4) Format/output safely

• Use format for display.
• Use standards helpers for exchange formats (formatISO, formatRFC3339).
• Keep transport format and display format separate.

Deliverables

When answering, provide:

• Exact imports.
• Minimal correct function set for the use case.
• Timezone strategy (TZDate vs { in: tz(...) }) and why.
• Edge-case notes (DST boundaries, token correctness, invalid inputs).

Progressive disclosure

Load only what is needed:

• reference/core-functions.md for essential helpers.
• reference/native-timezones.md for @date-fns/tz patterns.
• reference/imports-and-practices.md for import/runtime practices.
• reference/format-parse-tokens.md for token correctness.
• reference/examples.md for copy-ready snippets.
• reference/anti-patterns.md for strict "never use date-fns-tz" guidance.
• reference/version-and-sources.md for version checks and source links.